June 19, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello Captains, and welcome back!
I finally did it—I pulled the trigger on the iFly 737 MAX 8, and she’s officially part of my virtual fleet.
You might recall that when the iFly 737 MAX 8 was released last year, I had no immediate plans to purchase it. I wanted to wait and see if PMDG would unveil their own version of the MAX. But after looking far into the horizon, I just don’t see it happening this year—or perhaps ever.
Like many others, I was originally holding out for PMDG. While we can debate which developer would craft the best B38M, my preference leaned toward PMDG simply because of familiarity with their systems and the convenience of fewer installers cluttering my PC. But after seven months of waiting with no PMDG MAX in sight, I decided it was time to bring the iFly into my hangar.
The iFly 737 MAX 8 is available for both MSFS 2020 and 2024, but for now, I’m still primarily flying in 2020, so that’s where I installed it. My first flight—a quick hop from DFW to AUS—gave me a solid first impression. The B38M handled well, and I was genuinely surprised by how fast it climbed. Of course, it was a short flight with a relatively light fuel load, but still—impressive performance.
I’m pleased with the purchase and looking forward to putting the MAX 8 through its paces as I progress in A Pilot’s Life career add-on. While the PMDG 737-800 will always hold a special place in my heart, I can already see the iFly MAX becoming a regular in my rotation for years to come.
Until next time—happy flying!
Jerry
June 16, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello and welcome back!
A few posts ago, I mentioned that while I hadn’t published new content in several months, I’ve remained active—answering emails and responding to reader inquiries. Some of those questions, particularly about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, were beyond my expertise. Others, however, I could easily address.
Just today, I received a question from Jackson about the newly released Captain Sim Boeing 717. He wanted to know my thoughts on the aircraft and whether it was worth purchasing. Jackson is new to flight simulation, with MSFS 2024 serving as his introduction to our wonderful hobby.
For long-time readers familiar with my perspective, my advice might be predictable. While I have strong opinions against Captain Sim and similar developers, I shared my thoughts candidly while encouraging Jackson to conduct his own research before spending his hard-earned money.
Over the years, many fellow enthusiasts have asked why developers like Captain Sim remain successful despite their poor reputation among hardcore simmers. The answer is rather simple: I wouldn’t be surprised if Captain Sim ranks among the highest earners in the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace. Here’s why:
- Impressive Exterior Modeling – Despite their reputation and inability to create high-fidelity systems logic, their aircraft models are undeniably well-crafted. Many respected developers could benefit from a partnership where Captain Sim handles exterior modeling while leaving flight dynamics and systems to more experienced teams.
- Competitive Pricing – Captain Sim typically prices its add-ons attractively. For newcomers unaware of their history—or those uninterested in study-level aircraft—their offerings can seem appealing. That said, I strongly dislike their practice of charging for livery packs.
- New Audiences – Every new simulator release introduces a fresh audience. With MSFS 2020 and 2024 bringing flight simulation to console players, many new users remain unaware of certain developers’ past business practices. As a result, companies like Captain Sim continue to thrive.
The reality is, Captain Sim isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Developers like them will persist, creating add-ons that—at least for those of us who care about authenticity—are as useless as a chocolate teapot. New simmers will continue to buy them, and the most we can do is educate and inform newcomers.
Until next time,
Happy flying!
—Jerry
June 12, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello friends, and welcome back to the blog!
Over the past few months, I’ve received several emails from readers all asking variations of the same question: Why is it taking so long to bring the PMDG 737 into MSFS 2024? One email even noted, “It only took Fenix a week to bring their A320 family into MSFS 2024.”
While this is an interesting comparison, I believe it’s more like apples to oranges.
Why the Delay?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a definitive answer as to why MSFS 2024 has been available for over six months and yet we’re still waiting for the PMDG 737. However, let’s speculate for a moment.
If we rewind to the early days of MSFS 2020, it took PMDG nearly three years to release their Boeing 737-700. Fenix introduced their Airbus A320 just 10 days later. The lengthy wait for these study-level aircraft was largely due to stability and performance challenges within the new MSFS 2020 platform. I suspect we’re seeing a similar situation with MSFS 2024.
Key Differences Between Fenix and PMDG
Another important factor is how these two aircraft are built. The Fenix A320 operates differently from PMDG aircraft because many of its systems run externally from the simulator. This unique setup likely allowed Fenix to transition their product to MSFS 2024 much faster.
Additionally, flight sim development teams tend to be quite small. A few years ago, PMDG reportedly had a team of just eight people. While they may have expanded since the launch of MSFS, they are still a relatively lean operation. Given their recent focus on the Boeing 777 lineup, it makes sense that the 777 would take priority for MSFS 2024 before the 737.
Looking Ahead
I completely understand the frustration—many of you would prefer to see the 737 arrive ahead of the 777. But it is what it is. For now, patience is key, and I’m confident we’ll have the PMDG 737 in our MSFS 2024 virtual hangar soon.
Until next time…
✈ Happy Flying! ✈
— Jerry
June 9, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Forty years ago, I graduated from high school and left behind my East Texas hometown, moving to Central Texas to start a new chapter. I moved in with my uncle, and together, we launched a satellite installation business. Later that fall, I began my college journey.
The summer of ’85 was legendary—not just for me, but for music lovers everywhere. That was the summer of Live Aid, the greatest outdoor concert of all time. But beyond the spectacle of that historic event, ’85 was particularly memorable because it was the summer I truly learned how to fly—at least in the virtual skies. My flight simulator, running on the Commodore 64, became more than just a game.
The previous summer, Flight Simulator II had debuted on the C-64 platform. I had experimented with earlier versions on the Apple II and TRS-80, but it wasn’t until its arrival on the Commodore that I got serious about virtual aviation. Still, my understanding of flight dynamics was limited—until the summer of ’85.
My uncle, a seasoned pilot with 20 years of PPL (Private Pilot License) experience, had taken me flying in a rented Cessna when I was just 6 or 7 years old. That summer, he took the time to teach me real-world techniques, lessons that—even with the rudimentary flight dynamics of my early sim—dramatically improved my landings and overall control.
Looking back, I marvel at how far flight simulation has come over the past 40 years. Sitting down to fly Microsoft Flight Simulator today, I’m continually amazed by the advancements that have transformed the experience. And as technology continues to evolve, I can’t wait to see where the future of flight simulation takes us next.
Until next time…
✈ Happy Flying! ✈
— Jerry
June 5, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Welcome Back to My Blog
Hello once again, and welcome to my blog. If you’re a returning visitor, it’s great to have you back. If you’re new here, I sincerely appreciate you stopping by!
During my time away from publishing new content, I’ve done my best to stay on top of reader questions. I believe in responding to every email as thoroughly as I can. If I don’t have the expertise to answer a particular question—especially when it comes to newer topics like MSFS 2024—I’ll be upfront about it. My goal for this blog has always been to share my experiences with simulation-based games and offer guidance wherever possible.
A Video Worth Discussing
This morning, I checked my email and found a message from Jason, a longtime internet friend with similar interests. He had watched a video he thought I would appreciate, and knowing our past discussions, he was right—I have a few thoughts on it!
The Issue with Social Media Influencers
The term “Social Media Influencer” is one I’ve never been fond of, particularly in the realm of PC gaming. As a nearly 59-year-old retired gamer who has spent over four decades flying computer-based sims, I’ve seen this space become overly saturated with content creators and streamers. Too many have lost sight of why they started—or perhaps never had a real purpose to begin with.
That said, I don’t mean to lump everyone together. There are content creators who genuinely love this hobby and work hard to produce valuable flight simulation content. These individuals stay true to their original mission, helping others without compromise.
The Evolution of Content Creation
Many popular creators initially set out to share their passion for gaming, offering insights to help others. That’s an admirable approach—it’s the same reason I’ve blogged about simulation gaming for nearly 15 years. However, over time, some have become obsessed with subscriber counts, sponsorships, and developer relationships, often at the expense of honesty and quality.
Transparency Matters
As discussed in the video Jason shared, few of today’s top content creators and streamers prioritize transparency. This issue extends beyond flight simulation—it’s prevalent in Farming Simulator and Truck Simulator content as well. Some influencers either fear losing sponsorships or fail to recognize the harm they’re causing within the community.
My Commitment to Honesty
I’ve received add-ons from developers for review, but I’ve always made it clear that I won’t sugarcoat issues or overlook problems. Perhaps this is why I don’t receive many review offers anymore—developers have plenty of creators who will stick to their narrative without critique.
Jealousy? Not a Chance.
Some might argue that criticism of influencers stems from jealousy—jealousy over their following, sponsorships, or ability to play games for a living. Speaking for myself, I can confidently say jealousy has never been a factor. My blog enjoys solid readership numbers, and when I’m more active, my posts reach thousands of readers. The modest revenue generated is enough to keep the site running, and that’s all I need.
As I’ve grown older and gained more experience in simulation gaming, my priorities have shifted. I have zero desire to be a beta tester for every new add-on that hits the market. Instead, I wait, giving developers time to iron out issues. I’ve learned the hard way that early reviews on YouTube or Twitch don’t always reflect reality.
Final Thoughts
I still have a select group of content creators I trust when it comes to previews, but the list is short—very short. My promise to you, my loyal readers, is that I will always tell it like it is, no matter how controversial or inconvenient that may be. I’m here to be honest, not to play favorites.
Until next time…
✈ Happy Simming! ✈
— Jerry
June 2, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello and welcome back to my blog!
As always, I truly appreciate you taking the time to read.
When Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 launched nearly five years ago, I eagerly purchased it and spent countless hours flying various GA aircraft that came with the sim. While I had a strong interest in the FBW A320 project, I struggled with MSFS’s camera system, which made the experience less enjoyable. As a result, I stuck with P3D v5 and ChasePlane to fully enjoy tubeliner flying.
That changed when the Fenix A320 and PMDG 737 arrived on MSFS 2020, prompting me to finally make the switch. Yet, I still missed ChasePlane and its intuitive camera system, complete with cinematic capabilities.
I had almost given up hope of ever seeing ChasePlane in MSFS 2020, let alone MSFS 2024. If you had asked me then, I wouldn’t have bet a single dollar on it happening. That’s why I was pleasantly surprised a few months ago when the talented developers at //42 announced they were bringing ChasePlane to MSFS—first in 2020, with plans for MSFS 2024 down the road.
As I mentioned in my last blog post, My Long Break – An Explanation, I’ve been away from the flight simulation hobby for a while. So, I completely missed the news about ChasePlane’s release in MSFS 2020. When I finally had a chance to sit down and update my sim, I wasted no time purchasing and installing ChasePlane.
To my delight, ChasePlane feels just as familiar as it did in P3D. While there are a few limitations, none of them affect my experience in any meaningful way. After completing several flights, I can confidently say that ChasePlane is a game-changer. Its intuitive interface and ease of use far surpass the default Asobo camera system.
As before, ChasePlane pairs beautifully with my Razer Orbweaver keypad. I’ve assigned buttons to different views, allowing me to switch perspectives with pinpoint accuracy.
If you’ve ever used ChasePlane in FSX or P3D and struggled with the frustratingly clunky default camera system, do yourself a favor and grab your copy today from the //42 website. As for MSFS 2024, I’ll continue holding out until ChasePlane is officially available for that platform.
Until next time…
✈ Happy Flying! ✈
— Jerry
