Hello,

this might appear as a weird question, but I am looking for reasons to get one of the career apps. I am pretty satisfied by doing it the way I am doing, however, most likely like many here, I am looking to further enhance my experience.

I have watched numerous videos and posts on various sources, for OnAir, NeoFly, Newsky, APLv2, etc. and I am starting to ask myself one question: why would I even need such an app? (and the question is not to make the apps seem useless, but rather make me interested in them, if maybe I am missing something).

Let me put it this way: in MSFS2024, different than before, I am actually flying with a little bit of sense. As in, I have some sources in which I can quickly ascertain which companies fly from and to the airports, for which I have bought addons for. And this way I can also quickly expand, as I look up the info for the addon airport I would want to buy and can quickly see, if it has connections to other addon airports I own. So to say, I am building myself a kind of network. At the beginning there were two, but currently always begin where I left off. So, either fly back to one of the airports I already own, or buy a new one and fly there. So, in a sense, everything is the way it would make sense. If the route going over fix A or fix B, I don't really much care. So, this way I never fly into some random airport with default scenery. Why would I want to, even?

What I am seeing with APLv2 for instance is:

- earning money - meh, OK but useless, since it’s fake really

- progressing through airlines - a bit of positive meaning, alright

- flight analysis - and this is actually the only reason why I am even considering it

- flying to airports I have no addons for - this is what puts me completely off

Neofly:

- childish and gamey interface - not really my thing

- grinding from single piston into random airports - that would most likely make me fail badly, although it could be interesting since it would bring me into sections of the sim that I would otherwise not fly

- money, progress - yea, same as above

OnAir:

- continuous payware - not really sure if I would feel bad by paying 3-6€ per month

- airline-management - some said that they use the time in flight to play with the company, managing it, I usually cruise at 4x, to speed up the time of the boring part of the flight, I am actually most interested into taxi, takeoff, climb, descent and landing+taxi.

- a nice interface is actually attractive, and for a strategist in me is the management aspect (yeah, always loved strategy games) at least somewhat appealing

Newsky:

- just too basic and you have to be part of some VA, and there are really not many, and then your callsign is always NSK or something

- interface is meh

Anyway, these are my thoughts, let me hear your opinions.

Thanks.

Edited January 6, 20251 yr by Simon_C

Onair is the most complete and has many options to play differently according to your preferences, it is also multiplatform, something I especially appreciate because I use XP 12 as my main simulator and MFS as secondary, the problem is that it is not an economical software.

There are more options I have tried almost all of them but I keep coming back to Onair.

SimFly, you get paid in PAX tokens worth $1

https://shop.simfly.io/

APL is an absolutely great add on that I use basically every flight.  It’s never given me one issue from a stability standpoint and does a great job simulating an airline pilot life.  It creates a purpose to flying and as you said, the flight analysis is actually really good.  If flying an airliner is your thing than this is a must have add on as it would be essentially a hollow experience without it.  

3 minutes ago, jspilot said:

APL is an absolutely great add on that I use basically every flight.  It’s never given me one issue from a stability standpoint and does a great job simulating an airline pilot life.  It creates a purpose to flying and as you said, the flight analysis is actually really good.  If flying an airliner is your thing than this is a must have add on as it would be essentially a hollow experience without it.  

But you fly from and to default airports, don’t you?

1 hour ago, SierraHotel BSc said:

SimFly, you get paid in PAX tokens worth $1

https://shop.simfly.io/

Let's wait for the indictment to drop before passing judgment.

26 minutes ago, Simon_C said:

But you fly from and to default airports, don’t you?

You fly from the airports that are the hubs of the airline you fly for.

9 minutes ago, SierraHotel BSc said:

You fly from the airports that are the hubs of the airline you fly for.

Thought so. So the best idea would be to try to get into airline for which I have a hub. Example would be Austrian Airlines (LOWW), Easyjet (EGKK), Lufthansa (EDDF) etc. and then hope I get flights to destinations I also own? Examples would be LFMN, LPMA etc. 

20 minutes ago, mspencer said:

Let's wait for the indictment to drop before passing judgment.

What do you mean by this?

Bought APLv2. Will see how this one fares. I was limited to which airlines I can apply now, Wizz UK is fine, I have EGKK freeware and LGAV for starters, been thinking about Faro, so I might get one two addons on the way.

At least 50% will be back to EGKK which is addon.

In a week I can see I can apply for others, will see how this goes in time.

And I will most likely see if I can get some fun out of NeoFly, instead of using bugged MSFS2024 Career Mode.

Edited January 6, 20251 yr by Simon_C

Why? Because FS2024 Career is poorly implemented, lacks features and massively bug ridden.

What you are getting at is usually where I end up with career add-ons.  I totally get why people like them, and I've messed around with them in the past.  Ultimately though, I would just rather fly where I want to fly, between airports I have purchased add-ons for, with the add-on plane I want to use.  

If I don't know where to fly, I can use a random generator.  Mostly, I have a list of all my addon airports and stick with that.  

So, do you need a career add-on?  Of course not.  Many people enjoy them too and that's great.  

Personally, I don't have the time to put into them, and would rather just have the freedom of flying anywhere.  

It all depends on the type of flying you do. In one aspect, they can take you through a role where you will grow and strive to gain experience, money and more complex aircraft to fly. You will be time boxed and fly to where ever they take you. In another aspect, you can schedule your own flights without the rigor of the apps and fly when, what, where and how long you want. I myself will fly to places I fly real world or just pop open sky vector and fly a route to places that interest me.

My progression in the Career mode in 2024 has slowed recently as I just got a little bored of flying the C172 around in clear skies and not feeling like I was moving on very much.

I've gone back to treating 2024 like I always did with 2020 - picking two airports in Free Flight, often a route I've done in real life or one with an interesting approach or something, and flying between them. I don't really need the point scoring or fake money making to make myself feel accomplished.

4 hours ago, jspilot said:

APL is an absolutely great add on that I use basically every flight.  It’s never given me one issue from a stability standpoint and does a great job simulating an airline pilot life.  It creates a purpose to flying and as you said, the flight analysis is actually really good.  If flying an airliner is your thing than this is a must have add on as it would be essentially a hollow experience without it.  

I have flown only with APL V2 since I puchased it, and can have you flying all over the world, with the various airlines and sharpens your skills as a pilot.