Hello Captains, and welcome back!
I hope all my U.S. readers enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Just before the holiday, a new subscription service was announced: SimAtlas. For $16 a month, subscribers gain access to what the company claims is more than $1,300 worth of payware add‑ons. Sounds tempting, right? Is it a good value? Am I excited? Let’s break it down.
My Take
First off—no, I’m not excited. I don’t mind spending money on this hobby (I’ve happily subscribed to Navigraph for over a decade), but SimAtlas simply doesn’t offer what I’m looking for. I currently own more than 80 payware airports and typically add two or three new ones each month. Sometimes I wait for holiday sales and buy in bulk, but the key point is this: I prefer to own my add‑ons, not lease them.
The Developer Lineup
The roster of third‑party developers currently signed on doesn’t impress me. A few names are unfamiliar, and the ones I do recognize aren’t what I’d consider top‑tier. If heavyweights like iniBuilds, Drzewiecki Design, or FlightBeam were involved, I might take a closer look. But honestly, I don’t see those kinds of developers joining a program like this.
Who Might Benefit
That said, I can see the appeal for newcomers. If you’re just starting out and don’t already have a large catalog of add‑ons, SimAtlas could provide variety at a relatively low monthly cost—assuming you don’t mind recurring payments. For seasoned simmers like me, though, the value simply isn’t there. I’ll continue purchasing add‑ons outright, the way I always have.
What do you think?
Would you consider a subscription model for flight sim add‑ons, or do you prefer to own your collection outright? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can learn more about SimAtlas by visiting their website.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry