757 Expectations vs. Reality, ATR Comeback & Learjet Tragedy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Close Traffic Podcast, Mike and Johnny catch up after a couple of busy weeks in the flight sim world. They dive deep into the highly anticipated Bluebird Simulations Boeing 757 — covering flight modeling, systems depth, textures, the controversial GSX integration (or lack thereof), the messy release day communication, community reaction, and early impressions of the 1.1 update.They also discuss other notable releases and updates: A2A Simulations’ Legacy RG 550 (engine tuning and VR highlights), the Aerobask/Dassault Falcon 8X public beta, Deltawing’s ATR 72 (a surprising comeback), Phoenix Simulations’ major Airbus update, and FlightSim Studios’ service pack.The show closes on a more serious note with a discussion of a tragic Learjet 60 accident near Florida, the role of weather and icing, and the importance of waiting for official findings while discouraging speculation. As always, they blend practical flight sim talk with real-world aviation perspective.Go to flightsimexpo.com or go to our website and it'll navigate you over there as well. Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailThe next couple weeks of flight sim releases might be the fastest way to drain your wallet, so we sit down and sort out what’s real hype versus what actually changes how you fly. We talk through Bluebird Simulations bringing a Boeing 757 to Microsoft Flight Simulator with a firm release window, early looks now that NDAs are lifted, and why so many of us have been waiting years for a modern, high-quality 757 add-on. We also get honest about what matters: performance differences from system to system, texture expectations, and why a “solid and believable” airplane beats chasing microscopic details.Then we get into the messy part that every simmer cares about when money is on the line: pricing and platform support. The $80 USD conversation turns into a bigger look at MSFS 2020 vs MSFS 2024, what “native” really means, and why clearer communication from developers can make or break trust. We also talk GSX integration expectations, licensing and delivery servers, and how day-one demand can stress even well-prepared launches.From there, we pivot to the Fenix A320 overhaul that’s packing serious changes like flight model improvements, inertia and ground friction updates, and deeper FMS behavior. We round it out with X-Plane 12 momentum, including Aerobask’s officially licensed Falcon 8X beta plan, how it might compare to top-tier business jets like the Hot Start Challenger 650, and why it’s a great time to be a simmer no matter which platform you fly.If you enjoyed the breakdown, subscribe, share the show with a flight sim friend, and leave a review so more simmers can find us. Which drop are you flying first, the 757 or the A320?Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with repo veteran and TV personality Ken Cage to unpack what it really takes to recover aircraft and boats when payments stop. Then we shift gears into Microsoft Flight Simulator talk with candid takes on the iniBuilds A380, GSX jetways, and the latest add-on releases. • Ken’s background in repossession and government contracts • What the repossession timeline looks like from past due to recovery • Why Ken hires pilots and never flies the repossessed aircraft himself • How economic cycles change repo volume and asset values • What was real vs recreated on Airplane Repo and why releases matter • The mix of assets recovered including boats, aircraft, exotic cars, and the one racehorse • Ken’s new collaboration with Cloud Yachts and the remarketing angle • Renegade Repos on YouTube and the promise of fully true stories • iniBuilds A380 early impressions including performance, flight feel, and avionics options • Pain points with GSX, boarding flow, and multi-jetway support • Hardware and immersion notes on tiller control and heavy-aircraft sound design • Rapid-fire updates on new scenery, aircraft updates, and what we’re watching next • Thoughts on AI decision support entering air traffic management Check out Ken Cage on his socials, check out Renegade Repos coming soon. YouTubeRenegade Repos: [@renegaderepos](https://www.youtube.com/@renegaderepos)X (Twitter)Ken Cage: [@KenCageRepo](https://twitter.com/KenCageRepo)FacebookOfficial Fan Page: [Airplane Repo Fan Club](https://www.facebook.com/p/Airplane-Repo-Fan-Club-100035350556719/)Personal/Show Page: Ken Cage Airplane RepoWebsite: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe catch up with FlightFX and dig into how the Hawker 800 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 went from “why this jet?” to a deeply detailed aircraft with real pilot workflows and smart sim-friendly improvements. We also get an unfiltered look at launch strategy, community feedback, and why 2024-only development is becoming the only sustainable path. • remembering 9/11 and how shared events reshape communities • why FlightFX picked the Hawker and what real-world access changed • how the 3D and systems pipeline becomes a “toolbox” for future aircraft • using real Hawker pilots in beta and how that pressure improves fidelity • balancing realism with usability so single-pilot sim flying stays fun • why the Pro Line 21 can feel cumbersome and how they streamline charts and checklists • adding advisory VNAV to handle vectors and discontinuities for network flying • designing cabin music, from airline inspiration to AI-assisted tracks and integration • why maintaining MSFS 2020 and 2024 splits work across art and avionics frameworks • console constraints, mod conflicts, and the optimization reality developers face • why the Marketplace matters for updates, support, and the sim’s infrastructure Don't forget to uh check us out on closed trafficpodcast.com. We're also on Instagram as well. Shout out to our Patreon backers and Flight Sim Expo 2027. If you guys haven't heard, bookings have already opened up, so check it out on https://flightsimexpo.com/ Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe 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 Don't forget to subscribe to the Close Traffic Podcast YouTube channel, follow us at on Instagram, Close Traffic Pod, Facebook, you name it. Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe 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 Keep a lookout at flighttepexpo.com as well as visit our our website and our socials for updates. if anybody's interested, they can join CTP Aviation on JetcardWebsite: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe 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/Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe talk with Jet Card founder Sean Doyle about building a business aviation companion app that gives every flight a reason, from AI-generated charter backstories to a full operator ecosystem. We also get honest about integrations, developer expectations, pricing pressure, and what it takes to keep immersion fun without turning it into a second job.• Sean’s flight sim background from early Microsoft Flight Simulator to VATSIM• The problem Jet Card solves for business jet flying in MSFS and X-Plane 12• Procedurally generated charter demand paired with AI narratives and deadlines• Company ownership, pilot hiring, and running a virtual operator economy• Real-world business aviation flavor through FBO calls, fueling, and coordination• Contrail Falcon 50 integration and why in-sim triggers are a big deal• Launch growth, server scaling, and filtering community feedback into priorities• Pricing, value, and why “roadmap expectations” can distort add-on development• The Operators update with brand-forward pages and specialty missions like med flights• Jet Card Live plans for AI voice interactions plus optional subscription costs• Rapid-fire favorites, underrated airports, and the Gulfstream licensing realityWebsite: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with A320 captain and developer Katie Pilot to unpack EFBX, a new electronic flight bag platform designed to turn flight simulation into a clean, unified workflow. Along the way, we get the origin story, the frustrations that sparked the build, and the feature ideas that could make MSFS flying feel truly plug and play. • Katie’s unexpected path into aviation and what hooked her on flying • Why airline flying is structured and why coding scratches the creative itch • Running the EFB on phones and tablets over a local network without IP hunting • Integrations discussed: GSX, vPilot VATSIM tuning, message relay, ATC replay • Quality-of-life apps like remote screenshots, scratch pad, and customizable backgrounds • App store concept, code review, and security concerns around local networking …….and much more!Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic

Send us Fan MailFS Expo 2026 feels bigger, smoother, and more community-driven than ever, and we come away convinced the people are still the reason the whole hobby works. We break down what nailed it, what felt off, and what we hope changes before Vegas 2027. • venue wins: space, concessions, real food, easy flow • keynotes and pacing, plus why devs struggle with presenting • the “family reunion” effect and why community is the main draw • venue selection trade-offs: cost, flights, hotels, walkability, family activities • Vegas as a polarizing but practical destination • rotating cities vs locking one home base • show floor hardware highlights, especially WinWing’s rapid rise • entry-level gear talk: Thrustmaster yoke and why console matters • force feedback momentum and why it feels like the future • software standouts: SayIntentions immersion and EFBX workflow • aircraft hype and timelines: A220, A380, bizjets, and the wait for 757 news • X-Plane visibility and why hands-on demo stations matter • improvements: split hotels confusion, paid parking, Friday floor access vs mixer Make sure you guys follow us on all of your podcast platforms. If you guys were unfortunately didn’t make expo 2026, definitely make plans to hit FS Expo 2027. Website: www.closedtrafficpodcast.comFacebook: @ClosedtrafficpodcastFollow us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/closedtraffic