The Dornier Do 228 has been one of those aircraft simmers kept asking for without ever getting a decent modern version. That wait is now over as Carenado releases its Do 228 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and with it, the sim finally has a dedicated, native payware rendition of the boxy German STOL twin.
The turnaround was quick, too. Carenado first teased the project on June 19 with a handful of exterior shots, followed a week later by previews of the analog cockpit and cabin. From announcement to release in under a month is fast even by Carenado’s standards, though it matches the pace the studio set with the King Air B200 earlier this year, which also went from reveal to release in a matter of weeks.
A working aircraft, treated like one
If there’s a theme to this release, it’s utility. The real Do 228 has spent more than four decades hauling passengers, cargo, and specialized equipment into places larger aircraft simply can’t reach, from short mountain strips to coast guard patrols. Carenado’s version leans into that identity in a way that’s actually reflected in the feature list.
The clearest example is career mode support. The aircraft is MSFS 2024 Career Ready across four mission types: VIP Charter Service, Medevac, Cargo Transport, and Skydiving. For comparison, the B200 launched with two. That makes the Do 228 one of the more versatile third-party aircraft for career players so far. A 19-seat STOL twin that can land almost anywhere is the kind of machine the career system’s odd-job economy was built around.
What’s in the package
As the cockpit previews suggested, this is an analog aircraft. The panel is built around traditional round-dial instruments, with a Bendix King KFC-250 flight control system handling autopilot duties and a weather radar indicator on the panel. Navigation comes via the GNS 530, with GTN 750 compatibility for those who prefer the larger touchscreen unit. That combination of steam gauges and a single modern GPS follows the formula Carenado used on the B200, and it suits the Do 228’s working-aircraft character well.
Carenado says the aircraft features realistic flight dynamics, high-quality digital sounds, an operative circuit breaker panel, emergency landing gear extension, and realistic turboprop operation.
The livery count is also generous. The package includes 14 liveries plus one blank white paint, with a selection that draws from the type’s real-world operators, from coast guard schemes to military paints and civilian colours.
The Do 228 is available now on the MSFS 2024 Marketplace for a little over €27. Only an MSFS 2024 version has been released for now, though Carenado has often followed its 2024 titles with MSFS 2020 versions later on.
