Here’s my top ten for June. I’m in early this month but am not expecting any new aircraft purchases over the next two weeks.
Two changes to the line-up this month:
- I finally thought I should see for myself what makes the Fenix A320 so special. I’d been enjoying the freeware FBW A320 and was tempted to put that into the Top Ten, but the Fenix really is a step up in every way. The still amazing FlyingIron BF109 had to make way.
- The PMDG DC-6 rumbles onto the list, having been held in purgatory for a while until the WASM crashes were fixed. The Piston Duke was the unlucky loser here
So that’s it - there are no more 2020 native aircraft are on my list! Tempting purchases on the horizon are the native 2024 FlyingIron Spitfire and Heatblur F-4 Phantom, although there’s no telling when either of these will show up so I could be saying the same thing for months!
I’ll also be keeping a close watch for the A2A Lancair Legacy if it makes an appearance over the next few weeks, to see how reviewers rate it against its Flysimware competitor. And finally I’m intrigued by the Got Friends Taylorcraft, I love the demo videos showing the immersive physics effects; but of course this can all wait until Jonx is fully recovered.
My June Top Ten
| # | Aircraft | Type* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Just Flight Avro Vulcan | 2024 hybrid | Still one of my favourite aircraft in the sim. Looks and sounds amazing; JF have really captured the essence of this unique aircraft |
| 2. |   Fenix A320 |
2024 native | This just oozes quality from every rivet. Top-tier. My only question: why did I wait so long? |
| 3. | Black Square Starship | 2024 hybrid | As good as it gets for a rewardingly complex GA experience. Until recently I’d preferred the Duke over this, but now I’m thoroughly enjoying the Starship as I fly it more. |
| 4. | TFDI MD-11 | 2024 native | Airliners aren’t always my cup of tea, but this is just so well put together that it fully deserves a spot. |
| 5. | Blackbird A65M Zero | 2024 native | Such a fun “alive” aircraft to fly - top notch texturing, modelling and sound make this the best implemented native 2024 vintage aircraft for me. |
| 6. | Azurpoly SEPECAT Jaguar | 2024 native | A tasty slice of retro fast jet goodness, lots of vintage details and feels so “lived in”, flies very nicely and sounds incredible! |
| 7. | PMDG DC-6 |
2024 native | This stone-cold classic is back! I can overlook the slightly dated model and texturing because this is such a rewarding plane to fly. |
| 8. | SWS Kodiak 100 | 2024 native | I’ve been looking forward to getting back into the Kodiak for a while - and the upgrade did not disappoint! |
| 9. | Taog OH6A/500C | 2024 native | Absolutely lived up to the hype! This is the first heli where I’ve felt like I’m in control and not just a gently spinning passenger. |
| 10. | Blackbird C130J ADV | 2024 native | Now out of beta and benefiting from yet another huge changelog - this is coming together nicely, and is such a hyper-detailed flying experience. Still feels like I’ve got a lot to master on this complex beast, but I’m enjoying the journey! |
* Footnote on 'Type' column
- 2020 native = an aircraft built for MSFS 2020
- 2024 hybrid = an aircraft built for MSFS 2024, but uses the “legacy” simobject structure as used in MSFS 2020. Could be a conversion or all-new aircraft.
- 2024 native = an aircraft built for MSFS 2024, using the new modular simobject structure