Gestair Flying Academy Cessna C172

The repaint featured here transposes the clean white-and-blue Gestair Aviation Training color scheme onto the highly detailed A2A Simulations C172R Skyhawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Creator Tim Scharnhop matched every placard, stripe, and logo used on the real Portuguese‑registered trainer CS‑DGX, allowing virtual student pilots to log hours in the same cockpit environment flown daily at Gestair’s Madrid-Cuatro Vientos and Cascais bases.

Gestair Academy Livery – From Ramp to Virtual Sky

Real‑world context

Gestair Aviation Training—formerly Aerofan—operates one of Europe’s largest ab‑initio fleets. Their Skyhawks, fitted with Garmin G1000 and traditional steam gauges, form the backbone of the ATPL integrated syllabus. The repaint reproduces the current corporate identity introduced after the 2019 fleet refresh, including the tapered sapphire cheatline, belly registration, and “GAT” vertical‑stabilizer crest.

The simulated airframe

The A2A C172R is a study‑level rendition of Cessna’s ubiquitous four‑seat, single‑engine aircraft. A2A’s Accu‑Sim module models:

• Continental IO‑360‑L2A performance variables (180 hp, 2700 rpm redline)
• Airframe fatigue, spark‑plug fouling, and oil viscosity changes
• Accurate electrical loads for avionics and pitot heat

This repaint overlays directly onto that advanced visual model, so the cowling screws, rudder‑tip fairings, and dorsal fin shading align perfectly under dynamic lighting.

Package Breakdown

Files included

texture.CS-DGX directory containing 4K DDS textures, specular maps, and bump maps.

Compatibility

Designed for the payware A2A Simulations C172R (Accu‑Sim or non‑Accu‑Sim) in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (SP2/Acceleration).

Author credit

Paint kit work and livery creation by Tim Scharnhop. Original aircraft model by A2A Simulations Inc.

Installing the Livery Into FSX

File placement

1. Extract A2A_C172_GESTAIR.zip to a temporary location while keeping folder paths intact.
2. Move the folder texture.CS-DGX into [FSX root]\SimObjects\Airplanes\A2A_C172.

Aircraft configuration entry

Add the following block to aircraft.cfg directly after the last [fltsim.X] section, then increment the X placeholder to the next sequential number.

[fltsim.XX]
title = C172R Gestair Flying Academy CS-DGX
sim   = C172
model =
panel =
sound =
texture = CS-DGX
kb_checklists = C172_check
kb_reference  = C172_ref
atc_id        = CS-DGX
ui_manufacturer = A2A Cessna
ui_type         = "C172R Skyhawk"
ui_variation    = "Gestair Flying Academy Portugal"
ui_typerole     = "Single Engine Prop"
ui_createdby    = "A2A Simulations Inc."
description     = "Repaint by Tim Scharnhop — Gestair Aviation Training livery applied to the A2A Simulations C172R."

Final steps

1. Save the modified aircraft.cfg.
2. Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator X and filter the aircraft selection by manufacturer “A2A Cessna.”
3. Select “Gestair Flying Academy Portugal” to begin your sortie.

Noteworthy Details Captured

• Correct Portuguese placement of the registration underneath the left wing and atop the right wing, adhering to EASA Annex II visual requirements.
• Anti‑glare panel rendered with a subtle matte finish to avoid sun‑panel reflection when using HDR lighting.
• Wheel‑fairing shadowing replicated to match the additional drag profile used in A2A’s flight dynamics.

Note – This download supplies textures only; you must own the A2A Simulations C172R Skyhawk to use this repaint.