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We break down a busy stretch in flight sim, from the FlightFX Citation X Version 2 release to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 6 and the constant push and pull between performance, visuals, and stability. We also dig into X-Plane’s steady progress, why VR has become our default way to fly, and a personal return to real-world flying with a hard reminder that legal is not the same as proficient.
• FlightFX Citation X V2 upgrades and why it raises the bar for business jet fidelity
• What’s still missing in long-range business jets and why the Global 6000 matters
• Sim Update 6 improvements and whether 2024 is now the obvious choice over 2020
• Why frequent updates feel great until they break third-party add-ons
• Performance versus visual fidelity and how optional city updates change the tradeoff
• Where Microsoft Flight Simulator is heading with broader integrations and brand partnerships
• X-Plane 12.4.4 strengths in flight modeling and what could bring simmers back
• VR flight sim immersion with Meta Quest 3 plus the wired setup that finally works
• Hardware panels, cost drops, and the question of when a home cockpit becomes too much
• Real-world flying update after a long recovery and how proficiency comes back over time
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We catch up as the full crew reunites, starting with summer ramp misery and the real-world limits heat puts on flying decisions. Then we dig into the Synaptic A220 release, why it sparked so much drama, and what it teaches about aircraft nuance, developer QA, and how airlines and engines shape what we see in the sky.

• summer heat, humidity, and density altitude affecting real flying motivation and safety margins
• first impressions of the Synaptic Airbus A220 in Microsoft Flight Simulator, including performance and handling feel
• why streamer-first rollouts can confuse users when a complex aircraft is both new and buggy
• learning the A220’s procedures, automation quirks, and ILS behavior instead of relying on habits from Boeing or Airbus staples
• why stable releases come from strong QA programs and broad beta testing across hardware and add-ons
• marketplace-first strategy, piracy concerns, patch cadence, and how perception fuels Discord meltdowns
• real-world A220 route presence, fleet replacement questions, and the “in-between” role versus regional and A320-family aircraft
• Pratt & Whitney PW1500G geared turbofan contamination issue and the ripple effects of engine shortages
• GSX jetway and ground equipment realism frustrations and what still breaks immersion
• Vector 787 alpha notes and why airline economics keep pivoting toward fuel efficiency
• Alaska Airlines-style milk runs as a perfect sim use case for scenery and procedures
• Black Square Commander 114 impressions and why cockpit variety matters
• Leonardo Mad Dog nostalgia, mechanical design advantages, and the quirks that still trip us up

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We catch up with Fly2High’s Lee and Ashton to talk about building high-quality airport scenery for the places most developers skip, from Tulsa and Birmingham to the upcoming Houston Hobby. We get honest about LOD performance, ground textures, marketplace delays, and why owning your own distribution platform can change how fast customers get updates.

•Fly2High’s origin story and how the team structure evolves
•Why mid-sized and niche airports matter for realistic route flying
•How airport selection shifts from reactive to planned roadmaps
•Ashton’s move from GSX work into marketing, coding, and strategy
•What LOD actually is and why it can tank performance
•How beta testing and workflow changes reduce post-release fixes
•Why Houston Hobby becomes a “new standard” project
•MSFS vs X-Plane market size and what that means for developers
•Console and Marketplace sales expectations versus PC users
•Why Fly2High launches its own app store for faster updates
•Creator discount codes, partner promos, and community growth
•How photogrammetry cleanup and custom clutter improve immersion
•A220 excitement and why it fits Fly2High airport operations
•How devs handle duplicate airport projects and coordination

Check out Fly2High: https://fly2high.net/

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