Stormbirds Blog
@stormbirdblog.bsky.social
Flight sim news and editorials for Microsoft Flight Simulator, DCS World, X-Plane, Combat Pilot, IL-2, Scramble and more!
And it can also do some things that have me scratching my head going... huh? Such is the way of things.
November 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
And it can also do some things that have me scratching my head going... huh? Such is the way of things.
X-Plane 12 can do some excellent moody atmospheric visuals these days following several lighting and weather system updates.
November 17, 2025 at 6:34 PM
X-Plane 12 can do some excellent moody atmospheric visuals these days following several lighting and weather system updates.
Also this weekend! Some #MicrosoftFlightSimulator flying time with @clicktozoom.bsky.social. Group flight in Just Flight's F28 from Aspen to Telluride and circuit practice in the Black Square Duke at Catalina Island. Incredible experiences!
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Also this weekend! Some #MicrosoftFlightSimulator flying time with @clicktozoom.bsky.social. Group flight in Just Flight's F28 from Aspen to Telluride and circuit practice in the Black Square Duke at Catalina Island. Incredible experiences!
I've been on the look out for a DCS World training server that I could go practice some multiplayer in. My old favourite, Hoggit Training, seems to have seen better days. Fortunately I seem to have found the 4YA Training server which has just the right mix. More flights there soon!
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I've been on the look out for a DCS World training server that I could go practice some multiplayer in. My old favourite, Hoggit Training, seems to have seen better days. Fortunately I seem to have found the 4YA Training server which has just the right mix. More flights there soon!
Heatblur Simulations have released their F-14A-135-GR (Early) variant and after just a few minutes with it I'm reminded why DCS: F-14 is such an incredible experience. What a blast! I need to fly it more.
October 23, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Heatblur Simulations have released their F-14A-135-GR (Early) variant and after just a few minutes with it I'm reminded why DCS: F-14 is such an incredible experience. What a blast! I need to fly it more.
It's Thanksgiving here in Canada so blog updates have been slow but I'm working away on some reviews right now including big ones for the PMDG 777 and I'm looking to finish up my VIRPIL Cadet Aeromax review. Stay tuned!
October 13, 2025 at 12:22 AM
It's Thanksgiving here in Canada so blog updates have been slow but I'm working away on some reviews right now including big ones for the PMDG 777 and I'm looking to finish up my VIRPIL Cadet Aeromax review. Stay tuned!
Early access review of the DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum is on the way. I'm glad I didn't rush to get it out because yesterday's patch has already sorted out at least some of my early access complaints.
September 26, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Early access review of the DCS: MiG-29A Fulcrum is on the way. I'm glad I didn't rush to get it out because yesterday's patch has already sorted out at least some of my early access complaints.
YS-11 isn't the turboprop that I was thinking about when I started writing an editorial that we need more of these in MSFS.... but it'll do!
September 26, 2025 at 1:41 AM
YS-11 isn't the turboprop that I was thinking about when I started writing an editorial that we need more of these in MSFS.... but it'll do!
I've had my first flight in the DCS: MiG-29A tonight. It's what I expected it to be and quite a lot of fun to fly around. My first flight is really just scratching the surface of what a full fidelity module is capable of and I've got some learning to do but it was a fun first start.
September 18, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I've had my first flight in the DCS: MiG-29A tonight. It's what I expected it to be and quite a lot of fun to fly around. My first flight is really just scratching the surface of what a full fidelity module is capable of and I've got some learning to do but it was a fun first start.
AzurPoly's C-160 Transall is now in the MSFS 2024 Marketplace with a small upgrade fee (it was just over $10 CDN for me) to get a bunch of 2024 features for the airplane.
September 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
AzurPoly's C-160 Transall is now in the MSFS 2024 Marketplace with a small upgrade fee (it was just over $10 CDN for me) to get a bunch of 2024 features for the airplane.
Gotten quite a range of flying in with #MicrosoftFlightSimulator over the last several days. From bush flying to helicopters to short and long haul airliners. Great variety!
August 25, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Gotten quite a range of flying in with #MicrosoftFlightSimulator over the last several days. From bush flying to helicopters to short and long haul airliners. Great variety!
Sometimes I get stuck in a rut flying the same places. Yesterday I flew from Naha, Okinawa to Kerama, Okinawa in the MSFS Cessna 404. Short hop but very scenic approach.
August 20, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Sometimes I get stuck in a rut flying the same places. Yesterday I flew from Naha, Okinawa to Kerama, Okinawa in the MSFS Cessna 404. Short hop but very scenic approach.
Took advantage of PMDG's sale and bought the 777-F. I do enjoy freight ops quite a bit.
August 9, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Took advantage of PMDG's sale and bought the 777-F. I do enjoy freight ops quite a bit.
One of the promises of a global simulator like MSFS is that you have the ability to go anywhere. So, spurred on by a really cheaply priced Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (HKJK) I loaded up one of my first 777 flights and flew from there to Dubai Intl. Unexplored territory for me!
August 4, 2025 at 2:21 PM
One of the promises of a global simulator like MSFS is that you have the ability to go anywhere. So, spurred on by a really cheaply priced Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (HKJK) I loaded up one of my first 777 flights and flew from there to Dubai Intl. Unexplored territory for me!
Another airplane I've been flying quite a lot of recently is Just Flight's Avro RJ. I'm falling in love with this regional jet liner. It's fun to fly and its four small jet engines makes it quite a unique airplane. I'm thinking that I might also add their BAe 146 to my collection too.
August 1, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Another airplane I've been flying quite a lot of recently is Just Flight's Avro RJ. I'm falling in love with this regional jet liner. It's fun to fly and its four small jet engines makes it quite a unique airplane. I'm thinking that I might also add their BAe 146 to my collection too.
Having done a whole bunch of Citation X flying in MSFS over the last few days. Incredible module. Lots of details! It's a weird thing but I love that they have done both a LCD and a CRT display complete with the curved glass. Brings a certain nostalgia to the whole thing!
July 27, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Having done a whole bunch of Citation X flying in MSFS over the last few days. Incredible module. Lots of details! It's a weird thing but I love that they have done both a LCD and a CRT display complete with the curved glass. Brings a certain nostalgia to the whole thing!
First flight in Flight FX's brand new Cessna Citation X business jet in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Spoiling my eventual review but I can tell right now that this is just as good as their prior efforts and it packs in a ton of features for the price.
July 23, 2025 at 1:09 AM
First flight in Flight FX's brand new Cessna Citation X business jet in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Spoiling my eventual review but I can tell right now that this is just as good as their prior efforts and it packs in a ton of features for the price.
Just completed the first mission of "Through the desert dust" by YoYo for the DCS: OH-58D. Landing on a moving carrier deck with a helicopter is an interesting challenge!
July 17, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Just completed the first mission of "Through the desert dust" by YoYo for the DCS: OH-58D. Landing on a moving carrier deck with a helicopter is an interesting challenge!
It's been a hot minute since I last flew the DCS: F-16C. It's getting a new targeting pod in a future update so I figured I better go and remember how the current one works. Good fun!
July 14, 2025 at 12:53 AM
It's been a hot minute since I last flew the DCS: F-16C. It's getting a new targeting pod in a future update so I figured I better go and remember how the current one works. Good fun!
I often fly in MSFS with purpose: a specific route, a particular kind of airplane. But the other night I did two short flights in the Waco biplane and the Cessna 172 flying over Sedona, Airzona and Squamish, British Columbia. Both fun flights with no specific purpose. It's good to wander!
July 11, 2025 at 12:52 AM
I often fly in MSFS with purpose: a specific route, a particular kind of airplane. But the other night I did two short flights in the Waco biplane and the Cessna 172 flying over Sedona, Airzona and Squamish, British Columbia. Both fun flights with no specific purpose. It's good to wander!
Have had a few flights with the new Microsoft/Carenado PA28 Dakota. It's pretty good! The Just Flight one is still better overall but this one is pretty solid on its own.
June 30, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Have had a few flights with the new Microsoft/Carenado PA28 Dakota. It's pretty good! The Just Flight one is still better overall but this one is pretty solid on its own.
I've finally put my first few hours into Magnitude 3's DCS: F4U Corsair. There's a lot of chatter out there in the community but I'm really glad that I decided to check it out for myself. First impressions coming up as soon as I can write it.
June 27, 2025 at 12:21 AM
I've finally put my first few hours into Magnitude 3's DCS: F4U Corsair. There's a lot of chatter out there in the community but I'm really glad that I decided to check it out for myself. First impressions coming up as soon as I can write it.
Earlier in the week I flew the default Asobo 737 MAX 8. It has its share of issues but actually it was a pretty enjoyable experience overall. I’ll be working it into the mix.
June 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Earlier in the week I flew the default Asobo 737 MAX 8. It has its share of issues but actually it was a pretty enjoyable experience overall. I’ll be working it into the mix.
Found it hiding out in my Marketplace account.... Just Flight Turbo Arrow III/IV is back in operation on MSFS 2024. Plotting some cross country flights at some point.
June 15, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Found it hiding out in my Marketplace account.... Just Flight Turbo Arrow III/IV is back in operation on MSFS 2024. Plotting some cross country flights at some point.
Just a little hop across the channel from London City to The Hague in the Avro RJ #microsoftflightsimulator #msfs2024
June 14, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Just a little hop across the channel from London City to The Hague in the Avro RJ #microsoftflightsimulator #msfs2024