VSKYLABS have just released this VLJ as early access.  Looks to be a sophisticated product. I have limited experience of VSKYLABS but it is an aircraft that would suit me.  What is the consensus of VSKTLABS products - a good company?

It appears not to be a real aircraft, rather based closely on the Cessna Mustang VLJ.  I'm a little concerned by the statement 'Simplified yet plausible, comprehensive 'Mustang Avionics' based on X-Plane LR X1000 with customized MFD/CAS (Crew Alert System), allows operational following Mustang procedures within reasonable margins'.

Edited November 14, 2025Nov 14 by MrBitstFlyer

Hello, I'm also planning to purchase this VLJ from VSL, it looks very promising but maybe I'll wait a couple of weeks until the product is out of the early access status, I already read in the Org forums the features that are coming very soon and I would like the full product then. Regarding the company, it is very good, solid aircraft products, I have the DC-3, C47, Maule M7 and the Tecnam P2006T, those are very good and VSL is constantly refining their products, good customer service in the forums, I think you will be in good hands.

So this VLJ would be my first jet from VSL, let's see in a couple of weeks, or some reviews from early takers.

Ye they good. All his myriad of add-ons constantly updated.

VSL is one of the best commercial devs X-Plane has. Solid quality products all around, very responsive support. And while update frequency is rather low, it's long-term. Some of their products have been around since XP 10 or earlier and are still getting updates to the point of complete reworks, all free of charge.

 

4 hours ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

It appears not to be a real aircraft, rather based closely on the Cessna Mustang VLJ.  I'm a little concerned by the statement 'Simplified yet plausible, comprehensive 'Mustang Avionics' based on X-Plane LR X1000 with customized MFD/CAS (Crew Alert System), allows operational following Mustang procedures within reasonable margins'.

This means you get the default XP12 G1000 with all its features and limitations plus authentic indications on the MFD and nothing more. And before you ask: VSL does not, and will never, model their aircraft to serve as authentic systems and procedures trainers.

Edited November 14, 2025Nov 14 by Bjoern

Of corse there is this

https://forums.x-plane.org/forums/topic/250738-wip-vskylabs-f-4e-phantom-ii-is-back-on-track/?&page=5#comment-2968970

Mind you halted while laminar did theres but it back again.

I grabbed it but haven't had a chance to fly it just yet. I noticed that it's currently 10% off on the Org store. Not sure if that's "introductory pricing" or because it's still an early access product but I figured why not give it a whirl.

Got it and have been on a few flights. So far, It seems really good. I do have a couple of problems and gripes, though:

1:  Sometimes the PFD's (the left and right screens) work and sometimes they just say "X-Plane". The center screen always works. Has anyone run into this before?

2: The sounds need some serious work. Very boring and generic for the most part. Hopefully this is due to early access and will improve.

 

All in all, though, a great little plane. I'll be using it a lot!

 

From my POV, VSKYLABS is Carenado like, with worse sounds. I never encountered a VSKYLABS addon that has more complex engine simulation, than a simple "you can't start me if you don't switch on fuel pumps" procedure. The only positive about their addons is solid flight modeling, but I'm not a real pilot so take that with a (huge) grain of salt. I just heard on other forums about their flight model, and I'm spreading the words. One thing that keeps me off from almost every VSKYLABS addon (except from their DC-3/C-42 lineup) are sounds. Absolutely terrible. From terrible samples used, to engine RPM layering, avionics, switches, and so on. Literally kills even that tiny bit of immersion that VSKYLABS provide.

I would recommend Aerobask addons though, great flight envelopes, great sounds in most cases, solid texturing. But again, even their products are Carenado like - not complex. Truth to be told, Aerobask chose simple GA planes to simulate ( *cough* Diamond *cough* ), so except for a mandatory FADEC simulation that is a signature of Diamond, you won't notice much else that stands out. Their products are properly priced though, comparing to complex addons. They never aimed to develop high complexity addons.

Also, VSKYLABS release planes every "couple" of months, so there is simply no time for them to make them more complex than Carenado like. Even though VLJ features suggest it has complex systems modelled, I'm afraid I don't believe that at all. How can they do such things is such short amount of time, after releasing previous addons (I think it was a heli), and updating many of their earlier models to newer enhanced versions? MAybe, just maybe, if the VSKYLABS dev is working 18hrs per day, without touching the grass for months. Maybe they have a team of 5-6 people? Highly doubt.

Just saw this on .ORG forum, will quote the dev:

The FMOD engine sounds in the VSKYLABS 510X are built using a layered synthesis approach rather than using a real-world recording. That includes white noise layers for creating the fan blade 'hiss' sounds, the compressor airflow 'whistle' sound, alongside lower-frequency sound sources for replicating low-RPM rumble sounds, jet exhaust pressure sounds and so forth. The overall experience is a rich multi-layer sound-simulation which does not void immersion. Meaning - recorded or synthesized is not the main challenge in a good sound-pack. Current state is solid, and it will be further enhanced during the Early-Access phase (planned and WIP).

As I was saying, and was thinking why their soundsets sound way below par, is also this approach. You simply can't make realistic aircraft audio environment with synthesized sounds. White noises, rumbles, artificial whistles generated in DAW, just won't cut it. Yes, you can do it for some sounds, but realistic aircraft sounds requires recording real aircraft for all the major audio, except maybe for switches, 400hz whine, etc. I understand their approach fully, but it's kinda the same like eating the cake that came out of the factory versus what your mother or grandpa makes, with great ingredients and with a touch of passion. 

Edited November 18, 2025Nov 18 by Pe11e

8 hours ago, Pe11e said:

From my POV, VSKYLABS is Carenado like, with worse sounds. I never encountered a VSKYLABS addon that has more complex engine simulation, than a simple "you can't start me if you don't switch on fuel pumps" procedure. The only positive about their addons is solid flight modeling, but I'm not a real pilot so take that with a (huge) grain of salt. I just heard on other forums about their flight model, and I'm spreading the words. One thing that keeps me off from almost every VSKYLABS addon (except from their DC-3/C-42 lineup) are sounds. Absolutely terrible. From terrible samples used, to engine RPM layering, avionics, switches, and so on. Literally kills even that tiny bit of immersion that VSKYLABS provide.

I would recommend Aerobask addons though, great flight envelopes, great sounds in most cases, solid texturing. But again, even their products are Carenado like - not complex. Truth to be told, Aerobask chose simple GA planes to simulate ( *cough* Diamond *cough* ), so except for a mandatory FADEC simulation that is a signature of Diamond, you won't notice much else that stands out. Their products are properly priced though, comparing to complex addons. They never aimed to develop high complexity addons.

Also, VSKYLABS release planes every "couple" of months, so there is simply no time for them to make them more complex than Carenado like. Even though VLJ features suggest it has complex systems modelled, I'm afraid I don't believe that at all. How can they do such things is such short amount of time, after releasing previous addons (I think it was a heli), and updating many of their earlier models to newer enhanced versions? MAybe, just maybe, if the VSKYLABS dev is working 18hrs per day, without touching the grass for months. Maybe they have a team of 5-6 people? Highly doubt.

Just saw this on .ORG forum, will quote the dev:

The FMOD engine sounds in the VSKYLABS 510X are built using a layered synthesis approach rather than using a real-world recording. That includes white noise layers for creating the fan blade 'hiss' sounds, the compressor airflow 'whistle' sound, alongside lower-frequency sound sources for replicating low-RPM rumble sounds, jet exhaust pressure sounds and so forth. The overall experience is a rich multi-layer sound-simulation which does not void immersion. Meaning - recorded or synthesized is not the main challenge in a good sound-pack. Current state is solid, and it will be further enhanced during the Early-Access phase (planned and WIP).

As I was saying, and was thinking why their soundsets sound way below par, is also this approach. You simply can't make realistic aircraft audio environment with synthesized sounds. White noises, rumbles, artificial whistles generated in DAW, just won't cut it. Yes, you can do it for some sounds, but realistic aircraft sounds requires recording real aircraft for all the major audio, except maybe for switches, 400hz whine, etc. I understand their approach fully, but it's kinda the same like eating the cake that came out of the factory versus what your mother or grandpa makes, with great ingredients and with a touch of passion. 

The average user would never notice.

6 hours ago, mjrhealth said:

The average user would never notice.

I'm an average user considering the time I spend to learn the aircraft systems, etc. I usually never check the POH either for basic performance numbers. Not kind of guy that will read the addon manual for couple of hours, do C&D on every flight, test emergencies, one engine operations, etc etc. Just have no time for that. My routine is to spawn on the runway in TO config, and fly for 30 to 45 mins in VR. Nothing fancy. 

 

And yet, I do notice all the things I mentioned in my original reply, from sounds to physics. For 30-45mins flights, sounds and physics are most important for immersion, as you simply have no time to dive into systems. 

Rather difficult to record sounds of an aircraft that does not exist ... 

On 11/18/2025 at 12:01 AM, Pe11e said:

One thing that keeps me off from almost every VSKYLABS addon (except from their DC-3/C-42 lineup) are sounds. Absolutely terrible. From terrible samples used, to engine RPM layering, avionics, switches, and so on. Literally kills even that tiny bit of immersion that VSKYLABS provide.

An interesting viewpoint. You mentioned that the sounds ‘kill the immersion,’ and I understand where that impression might come from if your experience with earlier VSKYLABS aircraft left you disappointed. That said, it may be worth considering that this release may not be at the same level as the older ones you’re basing that judgment on. If we applied the same logic broadly, some wouldn’t use XP12 at all because of its own flaws, like the ‘crawling ants’ effect or shimmering trees, yet people still enjoy XP12 because the overall experience is strong.

I purchased the 510X VLJ and found the sounds perfectly adequate for normal operation - certainly not bad enough to 'Literally kill even that tiny bit of immersion that VSKYLABS provide'.

I have a few of their addons, I enjoy them, and I intend to buy more. 

I usually wait for their addons to go on sale for 20-30% discount (it happens in short order, usually)  

at those prices they’re a good value, IMHO. 

main thing I like about vSL is their willingness to do uncommon/unconventional aircraft (eg, Pond Racer TP, NoTaR MD 902 helo, or the “F-19”), yet still follow realistic principles. 

no, they’re not “study level” in systems, BUT nor do they pretend to be.

as to this particular addon,  I already have the very nice Aerobask Phenom 300, and there is a tremendous amount of overlap between the two. So I’m not sure I’ll get it, other than the “Mustang” can get into much shorter runways than the Phenom. ..

FWIW, the developer is a former IRL fighter pilot from back in the day, so, yeah he makes sure the aircraft handling is representative. 🤙

On 11/14/2025 at 3:34 PM, mjrhealth said:

Of corse there is this

https://forums.x-plane.org/forums/topic/250738-wip-vskylabs-f-4e-phantom-ii-is-back-on-track/?&page=5#comment-2968970

Mind you halted while laminar did theres but it back again.

Well, SOMEthing changed - and for the better, IMHO!

according to current dev posts, their Hi Fi F-4E is back on the front burner, and will be next in line for release (Q1 2026). 

he’s flat out stating that the VSL F-4E will become their flagship addon, and will be finished to a much higher level of fidelity than usual. 

I’ve been enjoying the new DCS F-4E lately, and it is an extremely satisfying addon even tho I don’t even use it for combat(!)

“Huff”, the VSL owner, is intimately familiar with the IRL F-4. If he can bring his F-4 to XP at a similar systems & physics level to the HeatBlur DCS F-4, it’s going to be one of the best addons available for X-Plane. 

THIS is one for which I’ll gladly pay full price 😎