The PC modding community has been hard at work ever since the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator last summer. In the time since then, the members of that community have managed to produce a vast number of mods that take an already great game to the next level.
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Whether it is through more detailed and realistic controls for certain cockpits or improved landmarks in certain regions, these mods have served as a much welcome addition. It can be quite daunting trying to sift through the growing library of available mods, with popular modding destinations like Nexus Mods already showing more than 500 mods available for the game. So to help you decide which ones to try out, here are five of the very best.
Airbus H135 Helicopter
When Microsoft Flight Simulator originally launched, it included roughly 20 planes for players to fly around the world with. One of its most glaring omissions though was the absence of helicopters of any kind. The good news is its developers at Asobo Studios have announced that this would be added in an upcoming update planned for the future, but not until sometime in 2022.
Long before that announcement was even made, the Airbus H135 Helicopter mod had sought to scratch that particular itch. Developed by the Hype Performance Group, the mod adds the Airbus H135 helicopter into the game. It offers yet another way for players to fly around the game, offering a unique viewpoint for them to enjoy its hyper-realistic cityscapes. To make the most of this mod, players should also consider installing some of the several helipad mods that have sprung up in its wake.
Livery Mega Pack
Microsoft Flight Simulator might have shipped with just 20 planes, but one way to breathe new life into those stock models is by customizing them with various colors and insignias. And of all the customization mods currently available, the Livery Mega Pack offers the most options, with over 770 high-quality liveries for players to choose from.
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Players can choose which of those liveries they would like to try out using the Liveries Mega Pack Manager. So whether you want your plane to have the logo and colors of your favorite airline, or you're just looking to infuse it with some personality during your multiplayer sessions, then chances are you'll find something in this pack that meets that very need.
BushTalk Radio
One of the many joys of playing Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting to see the sights as you fly around the world. It was an especially powerful experience at the time of its release during the height of COVID concerns and lockdowns. Players were no longer confined to the four walls of their houses as they could freely explore its virtual representation of the world to their hearts' content.
In some ways, it was almost like being a tourist on a planet-spanning tour, and the BushTalk Radio mod has sought to enhance that feeling even more by offering players a guided tour of the various sights within the game. Whenever players approach a point of interest, an audio recording would play over the radio, explaining what it is and its overall significance, much like a real-life tour guide would.
Flight Sim Squadron
Flying around the world in a Boeing 747 is all well and good, but have you ever wondered what it would feel like to take control of the iconic Millenium Falcon from Star Wars instead? That is the exact question the developers of the Flight Sim Squadron mod had sought to answer, by bringing a bunch of sci-fi ships and other creations into the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
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The mod began as an experiment by modder, Eggman28, who had simply sought to fly around the game in an X-Wing. He soon joined forces with a fellow modder, KingDMac, and together the pair have been able to add other iconic ships like the Razor Crest, TIE Fighters, Star Destroyers, and even the Starship Enterprise from Star Trek.
FlyByWire Simulations A32NX
The developers at Asobo Studio have strived to make the planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator as realistic as possible. This includes the popular Airbus A320neo Airliner, with its 445 KTAS cruise speed and range of 3,500 NM. But for those players looking to take that realism even further, the FlyByWire Simulations A32NX mod is a must-have.
The mod basically unlocks some of its unused cockpit controls, while finetuning others for an even more realistic representation of the plane within the game. To achieve this, its developers had consulted over 30 real-world A320 pilots for feedback and input. So if you've ever longed to pilot an actual A320 airliner, then this is as close to the real thing you can presently hope to get in-game.
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