F-2 MISSIONS, a Flight Simulation for iOS, Now Released

UNVELL Inc. has released F-2 MISSIONS, a flight simulation for iOS, on the App Store.

F-2 MISSIONS is built around a single idea: keep the feel of real flight, and drop everything that gets in the way of it. It ships with 15 missions spanning carrier approaches and traps, low-level runs through mountain valleys, and formation flying including aerial refueling.

■ A flight model that works like the real thing

The simulation uses point-mass equations of motion whose state is body-axis angle of attack. What is correct in a real jet is correct here — roll into a turn and pull to hold your altitude. Control authority scales with dynamic pressure.

■ Almost nothing to learn

There are two controls: a pitch/yaw stick on the left and a throttle/brake on the right. No switch panels, no startup procedure to memorize. The HUD continuously shows speed, altitude, vertical speed, angle of attack, and thrust.

■ Real terrain at true scale

Terrain is generated from real 10-meter mesh elevation data and flown without any scale reduction, with speeds and altitudes kept at real-aircraft scale. Routes include Kurobe Gorge, the Southern Alps, the Azusa Valley at Kamikochi, and a roughly 26-mile circuit around the foot of Mt. Fuji.

■ Three categories, 15 missions

Carrier Qualification, Waypoint Flying, and Formation Flight — each mission playable at three difficulty levels: NORMAL, HARD, and ACE.

■ Scored on what you actually did

Landings are graded 0–100 on sink rate, centerline, wire, and angle of attack, and awarded a grade of S / A / B / C. A replay of the flight is available for review.

■ Platform and pricing

iOS 17.0 or later (iPhone, landscape orientation). Available for free on the App Store, with in-app purchases. An Android version is coming soon, and a Windows (Steam) version is in preparation.

See the article "F-2 MISSIONS Released" for details.