Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The An-225 was developed from Antonov's heavy-airlift work to support the Soviet space programme, including transport of the Buran orbiter. Six engines, a vast wing and a twin-fin tail distinguish it from the related An-124. Its name, Mriya, means dream in Ukrainian. The only completed aircraft later became associated with outsized commercial cargo.
Aircraft background
Wikipedia contributors · Read more ↗Working cargo flights bring an extraordinary welcome
Antonov remembered a series of flights carrying power-station equipment from Chile into Bolivia. The individual sectors were short, but the cargo and the difficulty of transporting it overland made the work distinctive. Recording those journeys also helped start his habit of sharing the aircraft’s working life on YouTube. The 2016 journey to Australia left a different impression.
AeroTime interview · June 2022. An-225 work between Chile and Bolivia and the 2016 visit to Australia; the China–Denmark flight elsewhere in the interview was flown by other crews.
AeroTime · Read more ↗Six engines and a specialised loading interface
The An-225 guide shows separate pitch, roll and yaw trim controls and indicators, together with autopilot and hydraulic panels. Its electronic flight bag covers loading and ground services as well as navigation-related information.
An-225 · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Dmytro Antonov · 13 min ·
Уникальный рейс Ан-225 МРИЯ Шатору - Тель-Авив. Видео из кабины экипажа от командира.
Commander Dmytro Antonov shares an An-225 journey from Châteauroux to Tel Aviv.
Real aircraft · Antonov An-225
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Antonov An-225
The An-225 was developed from Antonov's heavy-airlift work to support the Soviet space programme, including transport of the Buran orbiter. Six engines, a vast wing and a twin-fin tail distinguish it from the related An-124. Its name, Mriya, means dream in Ukrainian.
The only completed aircraft later became associated with outsized commercial cargo. The simulation includes a specialised flight deck and loading interface, with electronic flight bag and ground-service features described in the developer manual.
Antonov An-225
Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
Development milestones
Designer: Antonov
First flight: 21 December 1988
Developed from: Antonov An-124 Ruslan
Wikipedia contributors · Antonov An-225 Mriya ↗Antonov An-225 Mriya · family/variant named by the source · Wikipedia revision 1372714731
Pilot accounts
Working cargo flights bring an extraordinary welcome
Antonov remembered a series of flights carrying power-station equipment from Chile into Bolivia. The individual sectors were short, but the cargo and the difficulty of transporting it overland made the work distinctive. Recording those journeys also helped start his habit of sharing the aircraft’s working life on YouTube.
The 2016 journey to Australia left a different impression. Crowds greeted the aircraft at stops along the way, and the welcome at Perth was unlike anything he had seen before. Yet he resisted making every memory dramatic: asked about his first An-225 flight, he could recall the year but no remarkable moment. For him, learning the aircraft had happened gradually through the ordinary work of preparation and training.
AeroTime interview · June 2022. An-225 work between Chile and Bolivia and the 2016 visit to Australia; the China–Denmark flight elsewhere in the interview was flown by other crews.
Read the full account · AeroTime ↗Showing the aircraft also becomes a lesson in geography
Halunenko recalled the An-225’s first flight as an aircraft behaving much as its designers had expected. The memories he particularly enjoyed telling came from showing it to the public. Arriving in Paris with Buran on its back, the crew was invited to circle so people below could see the unusual combination.
At an Oklahoma airshow, long queues formed to enter the cargo hold. Visitors repeatedly asked whether the aircraft was a Boeing and where it had been built. Explaining that Kyiv was in Ukraine did not always settle the questions, so Halunenko put a map on the wall and marked the country. He later joked that displaying the aircraft had also given the visitors a geography lesson.
The War Zone interview · 2022. First An-225 pilot recalling the 1989 Paris Air Show visit with Buran and a subsequent Oklahoma airshow.
Read the full account · The War Zone ↗In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2024An-225
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
An-225
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
MSFS 2020An-225 Mriya
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
An-225 Mriya
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Aircraft specifications
Published figures for the named real-aircraft variant. Simulator equipment and performance can differ.
| Specification | Published value |
|---|---|
| Length | 84 m (275 ft 7 in) |
| Wingspan | 88.4 m (290 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 18.1 m (59 ft 5 in) |
| Wing area | 905 m² (9,740 sq ft) |
| Empty weight | 285,000 kg (628,317 lb) |
| Max takeoff weight | 640,000 kg (1,410,958 lb) |
| Powerplant | 6 × Progress D-18T turbofans , 229.5 kN (51,600 lbf) thrust each |
| Maximum speed | 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn) |
| Cruise speed | 800 km/h (500 mph, 430 kn) |
| Range | 15,400 km (9,600 mi, 8,300 nmi) with maximum fuel; range with 200 tonnes payload: 4,000 km (2,500 mi) |
| Service ceiling | 11,000 m (36,000 ft) |
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
Six engines and a specialised loading interfaceAn-225 · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The An-225 guide shows separate pitch, roll and yaw trim controls and indicators, together with autopilot and hydraulic panels. Its electronic flight bag covers loading and ground services as well as navigation-related information.
Archived simulator manual; installed package revision not observed · PDF pp.14-17,32
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗The tablet connects loading with flight planningAn-225 Mriya · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
Cockpit EFBs manage ground power, aircraft states, weather and moving maps, with links to the flight-management system.
iniBuilds manual v2 · 2023 MSFS 2020 interface
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Cargo changes more than the viewAn-225 Mriya · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
The EFB’s Main Door control opens the nose, lowers the ramp and kneels the aircraft. Cargo adds weight; loading requires stopped engines.
Manual pages 9–12
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Cockpit interaction depends on the selected modeAn-225 Mriya · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
The manual distinguishes PC Lock and Legacy interactions and Xbox controller inputs. Xbox text entry uses the keyboard within the EFB.
Manual pages 7–8
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗Checklists can take you to the correct panelAn-225 Mriya · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
The simulator checklist’s eye icon moves the view to the relevant control. Expandable subitems help navigate the distributed cockpit stations.
Manual page 13 · MSFS 2020
Microsoft / aircraft developers · Read the source ↗The original MSFS 2020 releaseAn-225 Mriya · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2020
The February 2023 announcement records a PC release first, with Xbox support scheduled to follow. This record identifies the original MSFS 2020 Marketplace aircraft; platform timing in the announcement is historical.
2023-02-27 · release and package scope
Microsoft Flight Simulator Team · Read the source ↗Pilot account
Working cargo flights bring an extraordinary welcomeAeroTime interview · June 2022. An-225 work between Chile and Bolivia and the 2016 visit to Australia; the China–Denmark flight elsewhere in the interview was flown by other crews.
Antonov remembered a series of flights carrying power-station equipment from Chile into Bolivia. The individual sectors were short, but the cargo and the difficulty of transporting it overland made the work distinctive. Recording those journeys also helped start his habit of sharing the aircraft’s working life on YouTube. The 2016 journey to Australia left a different impression. Crowds greeted the aircraft at stops along the way, and the welcome at Perth was unlike anything he had seen before.
Dmytro Antonov
AeroTime · Read the source ↗Showing the aircraft also becomes a lesson in geographyThe War Zone interview · 2022. First An-225 pilot recalling the 1989 Paris Air Show visit with Buran and a subsequent Oklahoma airshow.
Halunenko recalled the An-225’s first flight as an aircraft behaving much as its designers had expected. The memories he particularly enjoyed telling came from showing it to the public. Arriving in Paris with Buran on its back, the crew was invited to circle so people below could see the unusual combination. At an Oklahoma airshow, long queues formed to enter the cargo hold. Visitors repeatedly asked whether the aircraft was a Boeing and where it had been built.
Oleksandr Halunenko
The War Zone · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
AN225_MSFS_Manual_V2Microsoft / aircraft developers Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft manualsMicrosoft / aircraft developersAircraft background
Antonov An-225 MriyaWikipedia contributors · Research background · Wikipedia revision 1372714731 · retrieved 2026-09-12Resource
MSFS 2024 FAQ and edition aircraft inventoryMicrosoftDeveloper documentation
Famous Flyer IV: Antonov AN-225 MriyaMicrosoft Flight Simulator Team · 2023-02-27 · release and package scopeType designator
FAA JO 7360.1K — aircraft type designatorsFederal Aviation Administration · Active FAA order; checked 2026-09-14Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
Antonov An-225
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2024 · MSFS 2020
Antonov An-225: The configured powered-control response is a starting approximation for the An-225; the documented cockpit equipment does not specify a hand-force schedule.
Antonov An-225
Antonov An-225: The configured powered-control response is a starting approximation for the An-225; the documented cockpit equipment does not specify a hand-force schedule.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Antonov An-225 · MSFS 2024 · family starting point
- Antonov An-225 · MSFS 2020 · family starting point
Microsoft An-225 manual version 2 and aircraft announcement; simulator force behavior remains separately unqualified. · Selected choice: Antonov An-225. Documentary scope does not establish every variant, add-on revision or simulator binding.
The simulator model and controls
The An-225 was developed from Antonov's heavy-airlift work to support the Soviet space programme, including transport of the Buran orbiter. Six engines, a vast wing and a twin-fin tail distinguish it from the related An-124. Its name, Mriya, means dream in Ukrainian.
This starting point selects Antonov An-225. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is enabled for supported control references.
Controls and trim
The An-225 cockpit guide shows pitch, aileron and rudder trim indications together with its autopilot panel. Microsoft's announcement describes six turbofans and the 32-wheel undercarriage. The aircraft's scale and equipment explain its transport role, but neither wheel count nor the presence of an autopilot panel supplies a physical control-force or servo-following calibration.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
What the documentation establishes
The preserved cockpit manual identifies An-225 autopilot and three-axis trim indications.
Aileron, rudder and pitch-trim indications are documented; the preset does not thereby gain measured trim authority.
An autopilot panel is shown; enabled following has no documented external servo contract in this material.
The announcement describes six turbofans and the 32-wheel landing gear; equipment cue strength remains a simulator approximation.
The announcement's cruise figure is in mph; it does not validate the selected indicated-knot force reference.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThis starting point selects Antonov An-225. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Flight controls
Not yet reviewedThe An-225 cockpit guide shows pitch, aileron and rudder trim indications together with its autopilot panel. Microsoft's announcement describes six turbofans and the 32-wheel undercarriage. The aircraft's scale and equipment explain its transport role, but neither wheel count nor the presence of an autopilot panel supplies a physical control-force or servo-following calibration.
Trim
ReviewedThree-axis trim indications provide equipment context; the selected pitch authority remains an estimate and does not imply measured stabilizer-to-yoke gearing. Pitch authority 0.3 relieves permitted loading; hydraulic centre movement is off. Roll authority is 0.09.
Autopilot and stability
ReviewedFollowing is on at 0.1 authority when a supported, valid autopilot control reference is available.
Equipment
ReviewedGear, flap and ground cues follow the selected settings and available simulator-reported states.
Speeds and limits
ReviewedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets msfs2024, msfs2020. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
Not yet reviewedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe configured powered-control response is a starting approximation for the An-225; the documented cockpit equipment does not specify a hand-force schedule. The baseline spring is 0.8. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 90 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.25 with an indicated-speed reference of 260 KIAS. The hydraulic-load factor of 0.35 scales that modeled term; it is a selected artificial-feel approximation. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value260.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.65 and 0.65, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyFollowing is on at 0.1 authority when a supported, valid autopilot control reference is available. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe configured powered-control response is a starting approximation for the An-225; the documented cockpit equipment does not specify a hand-force schedule. The baseline spring is 0.8. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 90 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.035 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.25 with an indicated-speed reference of 260 KIAS. The hydraulic-load factor of 0.35 scales that modeled term; it is a selected artificial-feel approximation. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value20 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value260.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0. No additional speed-driven stiffening is added; this does not disable independent aerodynamic loading. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.65 and 0.65, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyThree-axis trim indications provide equipment context; the selected pitch authority remains an estimate and does not imply measured stabilizer-to-yoke gearing. Pitch authority 0.3 relieves permitted loading; hydraulic centre movement is off. Roll authority is 0.09. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0.09 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyFollowing is on at 0.1 authority when a supported, valid autopilot control reference is available. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0.22 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0.14 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value4 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.9 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.32 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.9 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Cockpit indicators do not substantiate a particular hydraulic feel system or the preset's boosted-control classification.
- The manual shows cockpit controls without publishing force-feedback telemetry or ownership semantics.
- Cockpit labels and large-aircraft dimensions do not calibrate artificial feel, spring strength or axis ratio.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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