A revered classic in the world of aviation, known for its easy handling and forgiving nature, is once again ready to soar in the virtual skies, thanks to Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Back in 1931, during the Golden Age of Flight, three visionary aviation pioneers banded together in Brazil to form Empresa Aeronáutica Ypiranga (EAY). Their mission? To harness the burgeoning fascination with flight by creating aircraft that would captivate a growing audience of flying enthusiasts.
Their debut creation, the EAY-101, was inspired by the German DFS Zögling, a single-seat, high-wing sailplane. EAY didn’t stop there. They embarked on a new mission to craft a powered high-wing airplane, ideal for both training and general flying. For this, they drew inspiration from the Taylor Cub, crafted by the Taylor Aircraft Company in the U.S. The result? The EAY-201, a tandem two-seater powered by a French-made Salmson 9AD engine with 40 horsepower, offering smooth take-offs, friendly in-flight handling, and stress-free landings.
EAY initially produced just five EAY-201 planes before being acquired by Companhia Aeronáutica Paulista (CAP). CAP took the design and elevated it into the CAP-4 Paulistinha by adding a more powerful engine, enhancing both speed and climb rate, while retaining the original’s user-friendly traits.
The CAP-4 Paulistinha was built with a framework of steel tubes wrapped in fabric. It flaunted a strut-braced main wing, a standard empennage, and a fixed undercarriage. Measuring 21 feet, 10 inches in length, standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall, and sporting a wingspan of 33 feet, 2 inches, it was powered by a Franklin 4AC engine. This four-cylinder, air-cooled, flat-four piston engine delivered up to 65 horsepower. The aircraft featured a fixed-pitch two-blade wood propeller and boasted impressive stats—a range of 310 miles, a service ceiling of 13,000 feet, and a climb rate of 610 feet per minute, cruising comfortably at 87 mph with a top speed of 96 mph.
Used extensively for training by both civilian and military operators, the CAP-4 Paulistinha soared predominantly over Brazil. Impressively, its wings carried it to neighboring nations like Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, as well as across the Atlantic to Portugal.
Now, Microsoft Flight Simulator, in collaboration with iniBuilds, has meticulously recreated the CAP-4 Paulistinha for virtual aviators. Whether it’s landing at major global airports or navigating remote backcountry strips, this aircraft promises versatility and a seamless flying experience.
Players will have access to six different liveries: N505, PP-HCP, PP-HIY, PP-HLJ, PP-TJR, and PT-ZGA. This is one of the aircraft Microsoft pledged to offer free to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 owners as compensation for the initial launch hiccups. For those keen to add this classic to their virtual hangar, it’s available today for $14.99 in the in-sim marketplace.
For enthusiasts, Microsoft Flight Simulator and its 2024 edition are accessible on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and through Xbox Cloud Gaming on supported devices. For the latest updates, you can follow @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly Twitter) or check out their official website at www.flightsimulator.com.
