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
May 27, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello and welcome back to my blog!
Over the past few months, I’ve received several emails from readers asking about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. I didn’t jump into the new sim right away, as my focus was elsewhere—moving to Texas and handling the many responsibilities that came with settling my late father’s estate. But now that life has calmed down somewhat, I’ve finally decided to take the plunge.
As of writing this, I’ve only just purchased MSFS 2024, and I plan to set aside time over the next few days to download and install it. I’m aware of some of the current issues, and I know Sim Update 3 aims to address several of them. For now, my plan is to keep things simple and stick to general aviation flying while I get a feel for the sim.
I’ll hold off on tubeliner operations until things stabilize and more of my preferred aircraft become available. In the meantime, I’ll use this opportunity to familiarize myself with the changes and fine-tune my setup.
I’m looking forward to the experience and hoping for a smooth and enjoyable transition into MSFS 2024.
Until next time…
✈ Happy Flying! ✈
— Jerry
May 22, 2025 / admin / 0 Comments
Hello Friends,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted to my blog site and for that I’m very sorry. My last post was made on Christmas Eve and I had stated that I was taking a few weeks off, which unfortunately turned into several months and to be honest I’m not 100% ready to write content on any sort of frequent/regular basis.
You all know that my wife and I moved from Colorado to Central Texas to be close to my dad. Just less than a month after moving, and just before Christmas, my dad passed away. Needless to say, his death hit me pretty hard and I’ve been busy dealing with his estate and my own mental and physical health.
Since last summer, my wife and I have been in a constant period of packing boxes, then moving, then unpacking, then with my father’s death that brought on more packing and more moving etc. We’ve really not had the time, nor the energy to little else. While I’ve spent a few hours gaming (mostly Farming Simulator), I’ve really only within the past few days taken the time to update MSFS 2020, aircraft and other add-ons. But with that said, I have enjoyed a few GA flights and a few airliner flights the past few days.
MSFS 2024
I’m still holding off on purchasing MSFS 2024. With the long break away from gaming, I honestly had forgotten all about the release of the new sim. But spending a few moments reading forums and comments, I see that there are still many issues which need to be sorted out and from what I can tell many add-on aircraft are still not ready for the new sim. So I will remain in my holding pattern until more updates are made available and more add-on aircraft are ready for the new sim.
PMDG 777-200ER
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new Boeing 777-200 ER was released by PMDG. While I’ve yet to fly the new aircraft, I did purchase and install it. Of all the long-range tubeliner aircraft, the 777-200ER is my favorite and I hope to have some time in the near future to fly her somewhere.
ChasePlane
Of all the news I read after being away for so long that both shocked, surprised and excited me was the news that Chaseplane was finally available for MSFS 2020. This was another purchase I’ve recently made and absolutely love it. So this is also a personal reason to stay on MSFS 2020 for now.
Well, it’s time for me to go out and do a little yardwork before it gets too hot. We’re already heating up into the mid 90’s already and we’re having some family and friends over for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Until next time….
Stay Cool….
Jerry
December 10, 2024 / admin / 0 Comments
To my knowledge, or at least what I can remember…this is the first reader email I’ve received from someone who has been playing MSFS 2020 on the console platform. Isaac is asking a very good question and one I have a few opinions. Let’s dive into his email.
Hello Jerry! My name is Isaac and I’ve recently found your blog and enjoy reading your content regarding Microsoft Flight Simulator. For the past few years I’ve been enjoying MSFS on the Xbox. As I was brand new to flight sim I honestly didn’t know what I might be missing out on between the Xbox and PC platforms. I’m seriously considering purchasing a PC to take advantage of things like the VATSIM network. Do you have any advice for me with regards to just what type of a PC to buy and anything else I’ll need to know? Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you. Isaac
Isaac, first off….thank you for your email. I think you might be the very first Xbox console user to reach out to me. Unfortunately, as I’m a PC based MSFS user, the content I write about is mostly geared towards PC users. I don’t own a gaming console and the only games I do play (other than MSFS) are all PC based as well. But you are right, there are limitations which do prevent you from truly taking your flight simulation experience to the next level with the Xbox platform and you’ve mentioned one very important one with regards to the VATSIM network.
Unfortunately, with the limitations of the Xbox platform restricting some 3rd party applications I don’t ever see platform users being able to take advantage of the VATSIM, IVAO or other similar multi-player networks. So if this is something that is important to you in the future, then the only way to make that happen is to move to the PC version. But of course, this will come at an added expense and you are the only one that can justify if that expense is worth it.
As for a PC, I would build or buy the most powerful PC which your budget will allow. I would thoroughly research the published minimum system requirements for MSFS 2024 and get as close as you can to the “Ideal” Spec and certainly meet or exceed the “Recommended” spec. I would advise not trying to build or buy for just the “Min” spec. (See below for the current MSFS 2024 Specs as published by Microsoft).
When I build a new PC, I always try to build it based on the most powerful systems specs I can obtain. This isn’t always possible due to budget restraints, but the more powerful you can build/buy today the better off you’ll be in the long run. When I built my current gaming machine last summer, I made sure it would last me at least 5 years and I’m so glad I did, because it should run MSFS 2024 without any issues.
The other consideration you’ll need to think about is the repurchase of any add-ons. While this isn’t an issue for those of us on PC as most everything purchased for MSFS 2020 will be made available for MSFS 2024 at no cost. But for example, If you purchased the PMDG 737 for Xbox, most likely you’ll need to purchase it again for the PC platform. So these things can add up quickly.
But you’re absolutely correct, the PC platform is much more robust when it comes to things like the VATSIM network and participation in Virtual Airlines. But when the rubber hits the road, the decision to buy a PC and make the move from XBox to PC is going to come down to your own budget.
Best of luck to anyone who is compilating this move. If there is anything I can assist with once you make the move to PC, then please contact me.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry
December 3, 2024 / admin / 0 Comments
If you’ve been around the flight simulation community more than a day or two, you’ve probably heard or read someone reference “The ABCD, XYZ aircraft is study-level or is of study-level quality”. But what exactly does the term “Study-Level” mean when it comes to our home based simulators?
A Little History
I first heard the term “Study-Level” somewhat late in my use of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 or what can be referred to as FS9 (circa 2005/06. The term really took hold during the early FSX days and continued to be a popular term throughout the life of P3D. 3rd party aircraft developers like PMDG, FSLabs, Majestic, A2A, Level-D (B767), QualityWings and Leonardo are a few that come to mind who developed study-level aircraft for the home simulator.
Overused Term
There are many in the community who feel the term “Study-Level” is misused and/or certainly overused to describe 3rd party add-on aircraft. Their argument, is the only way to truly experience a true study-level simulator aircraft is to experience a full “Level-D”, high-end simulator such as the airlines use to train pilots. While I understand their position on the matter, I do believe it’s OK for us home simulator enthusiasts to use the term.
What Makes a Study-Level Add-on Aircraft
In my opinion and I know others will agree with me, there are a list of areas which if developed into a 3rd party add-on aircraft will make it study-level quality. This list would consist of High-Fidelity Flight Dynamics, Accurate Flightdeck Replication, Complex Systems Modeling, Realistic Avionics, Accurate Aircraft Performance, Detailed Engine Modeling, Accurate and Interactive Checklists/Procedures, Enhanced/Accurate Sound modeling, Failure and Damage modeling.
I think it’s near impossible for any 3rd party developer to meet 100% of each of these above mentioned items outside of a true Level-D simulator. But most who are actively developing study-level aircraft for home based simulators meet these areas within a 90% threshold just fine.
Study-Level Aircraft for MSFS
Before I list some current aircraft developers who produce study-level aircraft for MSFS, allow me to state what is NOT study-level. Default aircraft, and NOTHING from CaptainSim. Yes, I’m still a CaptainSim hater.
Here’s my short-list of 3rd party aircraft that lives up to the standard to be called study-level and are available or planned to be available for MSFS. PMDG, Fenix, A2A, Bluebird Simulations (757), Leonardo, Horizon Sim and Kuro mods of the default Dreamliner comprise the majority of the study-level aircraft that either are currently available for MSFS or soon have plans to be available. I would probably also throw iniBuilds and the team behind the FlybyWire A320 project in this list as well.
More about my own history with study-level aircraft
As I stated at the top of this article, I really became intimately familiar with study-level aircraft back in the FSX days. There was a time in my sim experience that I didn’t feel comfortable and didn’t truly understand the complexities of those early aircraft. But my first foray into a study-level aircraft was with the Level-D Boeing 767. It quickly became my “go-to” aircraft of choice and I took the necessary time to learn the systems and she was a joy to fly. Then came the PMDG 737, QualityWings 757. I soon became somewhat of a study-level snob and would only ever fly these types of aircraft. Today we are truly blessed with so many choices for MSFS in the study-level category with many more on the horizon. While each take a level of effort to learn and truly understand before ever attempting to fly them, I look to these developers as true quality in their overall craftmanship and dependability in the sim. With a few exceptions in the GA or general aviation category, the only airliners I will use are those who produce a study-level aircraft.
If you are new to the world of flight simulation and you are just fed up with the default aircraft or have made the mistake of falling for a CaptainScam aircraft….divert your hard-earned money towards those I mentioned above as you will not be disappointed.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry
November 12, 2024 / admin / 0 Comments
As we’re officially one week away from the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, I though this reader question was somewhat timely and fitting for all. Connor emailed me back in early October and I answered his question and told him to keep an eye out on the website for his question to be made available to all just before the release of MSFS 2024, so let’s dive in.
Jerry, long time reader, first time emailing you. I would like your advice with regards to how best to purchase add-ons for MSFS 2024. When MSFS 2020 launched, I was busy with work and other family commitments and I stayed on P3D v5. But I built a new PC and I’m wanting to move to MSFS 2024 on release but I am curious how best to purchase add-ons. I’ve heard some say it’s best to purchase everything (if available) from the MSFS Marketplace and I’ve heard people state the opposite. Can you tell me what your best practice is for purchasing add-ons? Thank you and best of luck on the move and the next chapter of your life. Connor
This is a very good question, but before I discuss my own process for purchasing/installing add-ons, allow me to go back in history just a bit. As we were nearing the release date for MSFS 2020 and more and more information was made available about the Microsoft in-game Marketplace, I was really excited about it. I thought gone are the days where we need to have multiple installers, from multiple developers….everything we purchased would be right in the MS Marketplace for ever. No longer would I need to keep a spreadsheet of all my purchases. I thought this would be the best thing since a pocket on a shirt. But boy, was I wrong.
Keep in mind that I didn’t make the move to MSFS 2020 until the release of the Fenix A320 in mid 2022. So almost two years went by before I really became serious about MSFS. Yes, it was a day one purchase for me, but without high-fidelity, study-level aircraft….it just wasn’t my cup of tea considering the majority of my sim time is flying airliners. So with almost two years having gone by, I had heard enough horror stories about the in-game Marketplace to steer clear away from it.
On paper, the Microsoft in-game Marketplace should be a no-brainer. But as I previously mentioned, there are issues which in my opinion are enough to stay clear from it. Users have reported their purchases disappearing after a period of time and when they seek out support via Microsoft they are told there’s nothing that can be done. Another key reason to avoid purchases via the in-game Marketplace is the length of time it takes Microsoft to approve a 3rd party update. For example, PMDG might release an update to one of their aircraft types, but that update won’t be available to those who purchased it via the Marketplace for several weeks. Same with new add-ons.
Of course, those who are on a console platform have no other choice but to purchase via the in-game Microsoft Marketplace, but then again….that’s not my target audience for this blog space.
In closing, I avoid and will continue to avoid the Microsoft in-game Marketplace. I have a pretty solid process for how I track my add-on purchases and with the addition of sites like iniBuilds and Contrail, it’s super easy to install and update the vast majority of 3rd party add-ons. As these add-ons are made ready to install on MSFS 2024, it should also be very easy to install them.
That’s my two cents on the matter. I hope everyone has a wonderful MSFS 2024 launch day in one week.
Until next time…
Happy Flying!!!
Jerry
