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About

Founded in 2008, Flysimware specializes in developing highly detailed, realistic aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Over the years, we’ve evolved from creating aircraft, helicopters, missions, and simulation tools for earlier platforms to focusing on advanced general aviation, business jets, and specialty aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024.

Our passion has always been to deliver aircraft that combine exceptional visual detail, authentic flight dynamics, and accurately modeled systems. Every project is carefully developed from the ground up, with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity. We work closely with real-world pilots, aviation experts, and our dedicated beta testing team to ensure our aircraft deliver an immersive and rewarding flight simulation experience.

Through our partnership with 3D Reach and our continued investment in custom programming and proprietary development technology, Flysimware has grown into a highly capable aircraft development team. We continually push the boundaries of what’s possible in Microsoft Flight Simulator while remaining committed to improving and supporting our products long after release.

We greatly appreciate the support of our customers and community. Your feedback, suggestions, and bug reports play an important role in helping us refine our aircraft and develop exciting new features.

For a deeper look into our development philosophy, technology, and the engineering behind our aircraft, explore our Flysimware TrueSim – Under the Hood article below.

TECHNOLOGY

Advanced Aircraft for MSFS2024 (Flysimware TrueSim – Under the Hood)

WHAT IS TRUESIM?
TrueSim is Flysimware’s approach to bringing a higher level of real-world aircraft simulation to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 while staying true to the simulator’s native flight dynamics.

One of the biggest advancements in MSFS 2024 is its aerodynamic simulation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been available since MSFS 2020, but the newer simulator introduces EA1 aerodynamic surfaces, allowing developers to more accurately define the aircraft’s shape, individual control surfaces, and aerodynamic characteristics. This allows the simulator to better calculate how airflow interacts with the aircraft, creating a more authentic flying experience.

But TrueSim goes much further.

Through our own custom programming, proprietary development tools, and WASM technology, TrueSim extends aircraft behavior far beyond what the standard SDK provides. One of our most powerful capabilities is intercepting selected pilot control inputs before they’re processed by the simulator, applying our own aircraft-specific logic, and then passing the modified commands back into the simulator. This allows us to reproduce realistic engine behavior, aircraft handling characteristics, system limitations, and mechanical interactions that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve through standard SDK functionality alone.

TrueSim also introduces advanced engine and aircraft systems that simulate realistic engine performance, progressive engine and component wear, maintenance requirements, failures, and persistent aircraft conditions. Engine performance can change over time based on how the aircraft is operated and maintained, allowing mechanical wear and operating conditions to influence the aircraft’s behavior. Combined with real-world pilot feedback, these technologies help reproduce not only how an aircraft flies, but how it operates, responds, and ages throughout its service life.

One particularly unique example is our custom propeller and piston-engine simulation. TrueSim allows pilots to physically rotate the propeller by hand during an exterior walkaround, experiencing realistic resistance as the engine’s pistons move through their compression strokes. As each cylinder approaches top dead center, the resistance changes, recreating the mechanical feel of pulling a real propeller through compression. This behavior is also reflected during engine starting, where the propeller’s visual movement responds to the engine’s compression cycles rather than simply rotating at a constant rate. With the aircraft properly configured, pilots can even hand-prop the engine from outside the aircraft to start it, bringing an entirely new level of mechanical interaction and realism to the simulation.

We’re essentially thinking outside the box while remaining inside the simulator’s native environment.

Another major advantage of TrueSim is accessibility. We believe advanced aircraft simulation shouldn’t be limited to experienced pilots or PC users. TrueSim is designed to cater to everyone, from beginners to serious flight simulation enthusiasts. Many of our advanced systems can be enabled or disabled, allowing customers to choose their preferred level of realism without sacrificing the underlying flight experience.

And because TrueSim is designed around the native MSFS 2024 environment, our aircraft can deliver these advanced capabilities on both PC and Xbox.

When you combine all of this with our exceptionally detailed 3D modeling, high-resolution textures, realistic aircraft systems, and competitive pricing, the result is a complete premium aircraft experience that goes far beyond appearances alone.

That’s what TrueSim represents: True to the simulator. True to the aircraft. Built for everyone.

CORE TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES

TRUESIM FLIGHT DYNAMICS: CFD AND EA1 SURFACES
Microsoft Flight Simulator already introduced computational fluid dynamics, or CFD, during the MSFS 2020 era, and MSFS 2024 offers additional tools for detailed aircraft geometry and surface-based aerodynamics. Flysimware uses these native capabilities, including EA1 surface definitions where appropriate, to describe the aircraft’s shape and aerodynamic behavior more closely. By carefully configuring the surfaces, aerodynamic properties, and flight model, we aim to capture the real aircraft’s response to airflow, control inputs, and changing flight conditions.

CUSTOM ENGINE AND PROPELLER PERFORMANCE & CONTROLS
TrueSim takes engine and propeller simulation far beyond standard functionality through custom programming that enhances engine performance, throttle and mixture response, propeller controls, turbocharging characteristics, realistic priming and starting procedures, and progressive engine wear. These systems work together to reproduce the unique operating characteristics of each aircraft, allowing engine behavior and performance to respond realistically to pilot inputs, operating conditions, and mechanical wear.

One of our most distinctive features is our custom piston-engine and propeller simulation. During an exterior walkaround, pilots can physically rotate the propeller by hand and experience changing resistance as the engine moves through its compression strokes. As individual cylinders approach top dead center on their compression strokes, the propeller responds to the simulated compression resistance, recreating the mechanical feel of pulling a real propeller through by hand.

This realism extends to engine starting. During starter operation, the propeller’s movement reflects the engine’s compression cycles, producing realistic variations in rotational speed rather than simply spinning at a constant rate. With the aircraft properly configured, pilots can even hand-prop the engine from outside the aircraft, bringing another level of mechanical interaction to the simulation.

PROPRIETARY SYSTEM GRAPH EDITORS
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 expands on its advanced Modular Systems architecture, allowing developers to create highly detailed, interconnected electrical, fuel, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. Rather than relying on traditional programming logic where activating a switch simply triggers an action, these systems operate as complete networks of connected components. Electrical circuits, pumps, valves, pressure regulators, and other equipment are connected through simulated pathways, allowing electrical power, pressure, and fluid flow to behave dynamically. A change or failure in one component can affect the entire network, while separate aircraft systems can interact and influence one another, closely reproducing how real aircraft operate.

The biggest challenge with these advanced modular systems is the enormous complexity involved in building and maintaining their configuration files. For example, our Learjet 35A features more than 172 functional circuit breakers, requiring approximately 900 lines of configuration definitions just to establish the electrical components and their connections. This isn’t even the custom XML programming that controls additional system behaviors; it’s simply the underlying network that allows the simulator to understand how everything is connected. Managing this amount of interconnected configuration manually is extremely difficult, especially when modifying one component can require changes throughout the network. The MSFS 2024 SDK provides the technology to create these systems, but it does not include a dedicated visual graph editor for managing networks of this complexity. This steep development challenge is one reason many developers continue using simpler or more traditional system implementations rather than taking full advantage of the advanced modular architecture.

Rather than avoiding that complexity, Flysimware developed its own proprietary visual graph-editing software to make these systems practical to build and maintain. Our tools allow us to visually design complete networks, connect individual components, establish relationships between systems, and manage changes from a centralized environment. Instead of manually editing hundreds of configuration definitions, our software helps generate and maintain the underlying connections, allowing us to dedicate more development time to realistic system operation, custom programming, and interactions between electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and fuel systems. This proprietary technology is an important part of our TrueSim development approach, enabling us to take full advantage of the simulator’s advanced modular systems and deliver aircraft with deeper, more authentic system behavior.

NATIVE MSFS 2024 MODULAR AIRCRAFT ARCHITECTURE
Flysimware has committed to developing aircraft using the native Modular Aircraft Architecture of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, rather than the traditional non-modular architecture offered in MSFS 2020. While the older architecture remains compatible with MSFS 2024, it limits developers from taking full advantage of the simulator’s newer capabilities. Native modular development requires more work but introduces two powerful technologies: Modular Attachments and Modular Presets. Together, they provide the foundation for more detailed, better-optimized aircraft with greater configuration flexibility, independent flight dynamics, and room for future expansion.

Modular Attachments fundamentally change how aircraft models are constructed and rendered. Instead of building an aircraft around a few extremely complex models, we can divide it into smaller, independent components, each with its own Levels of Detail (LODs), animations, and behaviors. Individual components can reduce their geometric complexity independently as viewing distance increases, rather than forcing large sections of the aircraft to share the same LOD transitions. This allows us to preserve important visual details at greater viewing distances while maintaining performance, especially with highly detailed engines, landing gear, mechanical components, and interiors.

Modular Presets allow multiple aircraft configurations to share a common foundation while maintaining independent flight dynamics, systems, and equipment. Unlike traditional aircraft configurations that generally rely on a single set of core flight model and system files, modular presets allow us to customize aerodynamics, engine performance, fuel and electrical systems, weight and balance, avionics, and interiors. For example, a turbocharged aircraft can have entirely different performance characteristics and systems from its naturally aspirated counterpart without duplicating the entire aircraft.

Our Lancair Legacy demonstrates these advantages with 36 configurations built around a shared modular foundation. Instead of maintaining 36 separate aircraft, we reuse common models, textures, sounds, and system configurations while customizing only what differs between variants. This simplifies updates, reduces duplication, and makes future expansion considerably easier.

Native modular architecture also supports advanced pilot and passenger integration, customizable interiors, aircraft-specific liveries, interactive equipment, and deeper integration with MSFS 2024 features, including a foundation for Career Mode compatibility when additional requirements are met.

For Flysimware, these technologies allow us to push aircraft detail, performance, and realism further while building a flexible foundation.

COMPILED MODEL BEHAVIORS AND EFFICIENT CODE
MSFS 2024 supports compiled model behaviors, allowing XML behavior definitions to be processed into a more efficient representation during the build process. This can reduce runtime interpretation overhead and help the simulator handle complex animations and interactions more efficiently. The actual performance benefit varies with the aircraft and the work being performed, but the technology gives developers another way to optimize detailed products.

CUSTOM WASM AND AIRCRAFT LOGIC
WASM (WebAssembly) is one of the most powerful development tools behind Flysimware’s TrueSim technology, allowing us to go beyond many of the simulator’s standard capabilities. By intercepting certain hardware commands and pilot inputs, we can process them through our own custom programming before sending the appropriate commands back to the simulator. This allows us to create more realistic engine behavior, custom aircraft controls, and advanced features that would otherwise be difficult or impossible using standard simulator functions. One example is our Lancair Legacy’s remote-controlled aircraft tug, which allows pilots to drive and position their aircraft around hangars and parking areas.

To bring these features together, Flysimware uses multiple programming technologies, including compiled XML for aircraft behaviors, HTML and JavaScript for custom gauges, TSX for advanced EFB applications, and C++ compiled to WASM for more complex simulator interactions. By selecting the most appropriate technology for each task, we can optimize performance while extending the simulator’s functionality, giving us greater control over how aircraft systems behave and interact with the pilot.

CUSTOM HARDWARE BINDING MANAGER
Many custom aircraft functions do not have standard MSFS hardware bindings, and some newer simulator functions are not yet fully exposed through default control assignments. Flysimware’s custom Hardware Binding Manager gives users a straightforward way to assign controls for both our unique functions and supported replacements for incomplete or unsuitable default bindings. Instead of learning a separate paid utility or programming complicated scripts, a user can select a function, activate a hardware control, and save the assignment for that aircraft. The goal is to make advanced cockpits accessible to beginners while still giving experienced users extensive control.

CUSTOM EFB HARDWARE BINDING MANAGER
Flysimware’s custom Hardware Binding Manager goes far beyond simplifying hardware assignments. MSFS 2024 does not provide native bindings for every aircraft function, and some default assignments cannot properly operate the advanced systems we’ve developed. Our Binding Manager bridges that gap by providing aircraft-specific controls for features such as momentary flap operation, custom electrical systems, and other specialized equipment. Users can assign these functions directly to their hardware with a simple button press, without purchasing or learning complicated third-party software. We recommend configuring Flysimware’s custom bindings first, then using the simulator’s default assignments for everything else. This ensures our advanced aircraft systems operate as intended while making hardware configuration easy for beginners and experienced pilots alike.

TWO-WAY EFB PAYLOAD SYNCHRONIZATION
Flysimware has developed two-way synchronization between its custom EFB payload manager and the default MSFS 2024 EFB for supported aircraft. Passengers, cargo, and associated payload values can remain coordinated when changed from either interface, building on fuel management integration. This provides a more seamless experience for pilots who use both our aircraft-specific tablet and the simulator’s standard planning tools.

PERSISTENT AIRCRAFT STATE
TrueSim includes persistent aircraft states for supported settings and systems, so selected aircraft conditions can carry from one flight to another. Depending on the product, these may include saved cockpit settings, engine hours, failures, environmental effects, and individual instrument settings such as a manually set clock. This makes the aircraft feel more like something you return to, rather than something completely reset at every flight.

ADVANCED AIRCRAFT FAILURES AND RELIABILITY
Flysimware has developed an advanced, fully customizable failure system that gives pilots complete control over their experience. Since real-world aircraft failures are relatively rare, we understand that many simmers simply want to enjoy their flights without unexpected interruptions. That’s why our failure system can be completely disabled or customized to suit each pilot’s preferences. For those seeking greater realism or emergency procedure training, individual failures can be configured with adjustable occurrence rates, specific triggering speeds, and scheduled time ranges during flight. This allows pilots to practice specific emergency checklists or experience unpredictable failures under controlled conditions. It’s one of the most comprehensive and flexible failure systems we’ve developed, designed to accommodate everyone from casual flyers to pilots looking for realistic emergency training.

FUNCTIONAL CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Flysimware takes electrical system realism seriously, recreating the electrical networks of real aircraft rather than relying on simplified switch logic. Aircraft such as our Learjet 35A and Lancair Legacy feature detailed electrical systems modeled after their real-world counterparts, including functional circuit breakers connected to the equipment they protect. These breakers remain fully operational even when the optional failure system is disabled, allowing pilots to manually isolate electrical circuits and equipment. When the failure system is enabled, circuit breakers also become part of the simulated failure scenarios, adding another layer of realism and allowing pilots to troubleshoot electrical problems using real-world procedures.

ADVANCED AVIONICS INTEGRATION
Flysimware integrates multiple avionics ecosystems and aircraft-specific panel configurations, including supported Garmin, Working Title, PMS50, and TDS systems. We also develop the connections between avionics, autopilots, aircraft systems, and cockpit controls so the chosen panel behaves as a coherent aircraft installation. The available avionics and configuration options vary by product and variant.

CUSTOM AUTOPILOT DEVELOPMENT AND INTEGRATION
Flysimware has extensive experience developing and customizing advanced autopilot systems across our aircraft. This includes the sophisticated 605 Autopilot in our Cessna 414AW Chancellor, the FC-530 flight control system in our Learjet 35A, and the BendixKing AeroCruze 230 in our Lancair Legacy’s analog cockpit. The Legacy’s glass cockpit also integrates Garmin G3X autopilot functionality using Working Title technology. Each system is carefully programmed and integrated to reproduce aircraft-specific flight control behavior, including altitude capture, vertical speed, navigation tracking, approach modes, flight director functions, and other capabilities appropriate to the installed equipment.

An equally important part of our development is hardware compatibility. We make every effort to preserve the simulator’s default autopilot bindings, typically supporting nearly all standard assignments so pilots can continue using their existing hardware configurations. When a specialized function isn’t available through the simulator’s default controls, we provide dedicated assignments through our custom EFB Hardware Binding Manager. This allows us to offer sophisticated, aircraft-specific autopilot functionality while keeping hardware setup simple and accessible for everyone.

TRUESIM DYNAMIC DIRT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduced dynamic aircraft dirt effects primarily for Career Mode, but these features were not originally designed for Free Flight. Using our TrueSim technology, Flysimware has integrated these effects into Free Flight and expanded their functionality to create a more realistic aircraft ownership experience. Dust, dirt, mud, tar, and insects can accumulate on the aircraft, while changing weather conditions, including rainfall intensity, determine how quickly certain contaminants are naturally washed away. More stubborn buildup, such as tar and insects, requires pilots to manually clean the aircraft while parked using our custom EFB cleaning controls. This brings another level of realism to Free Flight, allowing the aircraft’s appearance to reflect its operating conditions and how well it is maintained.

PROPELLER WASH, TIRE, AND GROUND EFFECTS
Our native MSFS 2024 development also embraces environmental effects around the aircraft. Propeller wash can influence vegetation and ground effects, while tires interact visually with surfaces such as dirt, grass, snow, and water. These details strengthen the connection between the aircraft and the world around it.

WALKAROUND AND EXTERIOR INTERACTIONS
Flysimware takes full advantage of MSFS 2024’s native walkaround system, expanding beyond the standard preflight features with additional aircraft-specific interactions. Depending on the aircraft, pilots can interact with doors, fuel caps, oil access panels, protective covers, tie-downs, and other exterior equipment, creating a more complete and immersive preflight experience. For those who prefer to get straight into flying, MSFS 2024 also provides options to skip the preflight process, including a default hardware binding that can automatically remove preflight equipment and prepare the aircraft for departure.

AIRCRAFT-SPECIFIC ENGINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIO
Sound is an essential part of aircraft immersion, and Flysimware believes that realistic engine audio deserves the attention of dedicated professionals. That’s why we collaborate with experienced sound developers such as Boris Audio Works and SimAcoustics, who specialize in capturing and reproducing authentic aircraft engine sounds. Their expertise allows us to deliver detailed engine audio that responds naturally to changing power settings and operating conditions, bringing the distinctive sound of each aircraft to life.

For the remaining aircraft sounds, Flysimware takes a more hands-on approach. We arrange real-world recordings of cockpit switches, mechanical components, and other aircraft equipment, then develop our own custom sound packages in-house using Audiokinetic Wwise. This gives us complete control over how sounds are triggered, mixed, and integrated with aircraft systems, allowing us to continually refine and improve the audio experience through future updates. By combining professional engine sound development with our own detailed sound programming, we create a rich and authentic audio environment throughout the aircraft.

REAL-WORLD PILOT COLLABORATION
Working with real-world pilots has been a cornerstone of Flysimware’s aircraft development since around 2014. One of our earliest collaborators was our good friend Joe, who became our longtime chief aviation advisor and helped us develop a much deeper understanding of aircraft systems, performance, and real-world flying procedures. His knowledge gave us the confidence to tackle increasingly sophisticated aircraft, including our Mitsubishi MU-2 and Cessna 441 Conquest II during the FSX era. These turboprops were especially challenging because the simulator had significant limitations in modeling realistic turboprop behavior, requiring us to develop custom solutions that pushed beyond its standard capabilities.

Today, that collaboration continues with every aircraft we develop. For our Learjet 35A, we worked with five real-world Learjet pilots including joe who also flew the Learjet and a Learjet 35 flight instructor to refine its systems, performance, and handling. Our award-winning Cessna 414AW Chancellor was based on an aircraft owned by Joe, allowing us to draw directly from his experience and expertise. For our Sierra C24R, we collaborated with Les from Les Is More. Our Lancair Legacy project, however, began through a unique partnership with Valin, an aerospace engineer and the builder of the famous, award-winning Starhawk. Valin played a central role throughout development, working closely with Flysimware to recreate his actual aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with exceptional accuracy. From flight dynamics and engine performance to aircraft systems and operating characteristics, his extensive knowledge and firsthand experience helped guide the entire project. Our shared goal was to give flight simulator enthusiasts the opportunity to experience the Starhawk as closely as possible to flying the real aircraft.

CONTINUOUS AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Flysimware is known for its dedication to customer support, rapid bug fixes, and frequent product updates. We take pride in being one of the most responsive developers in Microsoft Flight Simulator, addressing reported issues quickly and continually improving our aircraft long after release. Few developers match the speed and frequency of our updates, and we work directly with our customers to identify problems, implement solutions, and introduce improvements. For Flysimware, purchasing an aircraft isn’t the end of development. It’s an ongoing commitment to delivering the best possible flying experience.

CLOSING MESSAGE – A HISTORY OF FLYSIMWARE INNOVATION
TrueSim is not simply one technology that makes an aircraft realistic. It’s the combined result of advanced native flight dynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, aircraft-specific engine and system programming, proprietary development tools, modular architecture, and real-world pilot feedback. For Flysimware, realism comes from bringing all these technologies together to create aircraft that look, feel, and behave like their real-world counterparts.

Throughout our development history, Flysimware has continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Our innovations include pioneering touchscreen autopilot functionality with the AeroCruze 230, introducing a fully independent, remote-controlled aircraft tug, developing our own Hardware Binding Manager, achieving two-way payload synchronization between custom and default EFBs, and creating proprietary graph-editing software for advanced modular aircraft systems. We’ve also brought dynamic dirt effects into Free Flight and developed aircraft offering dozens of configurations through native modular architecture.

But one of our proudest achievements was the award-winning Cessna 414AW Chancellor, which held first place in a community aircraft poll on Microsoft’s official Flight Simulator forums for over a year. With the Chancellor, Flysimware pioneered an interactive exterior preflight walkaround, allowing pilots to inspect and interact with their aircraft before departure. We subsequently approached Asobo and requested that this type of functionality become part of Microsoft Flight Simulator itself. Today, MSFS 2024 includes a native preflight walkaround experience, reflecting the kind of aircraft interaction we’ve long believed belongs in flight simulation.

These achievements represent more than individual features. They demonstrate our commitment to exploring new technologies, overcoming development limitations, and creating solutions that improve the flying experience.

For Flysimware, TrueSim represents that continuing commitment to innovation, authenticity, and aircraft development. We’re not simply recreating airplanes. We’re continually pushing the boundaries of what Microsoft Flight Simulator can become.

After more than 20 years of aircraft development, I’ve come a long way from where I started. Flysimware has grown tremendously over those years, and I genuinely believe we’re now producing some of the most sophisticated aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator. That’s why I wanted to share everything that goes on under the hood, so you can better understand the amount of technology, engineering, and dedication behind every aircraft we create. This has never been about mass-producing aircraft or rushing from one release to the next. Aircraft development is something I truly love, and I put my heart and soul into every project we build from the ground up. For me, it’s not simply about making another aircraft for a simulator. It’s about taking everything I’ve learned over the years and using it to create something exceptional that our customers can experience and enjoy.