Import of MSFS 2024 HU-16 aircraft to MSFS 2020

I was just made aware this afternoon that aircraft I "own" in FS2024 can be imported into FS2020. This is significant for me because I've been spending most of my time in 2020 for the last several months. Why? Because FS2024 has been a bit of a disappointment. The enhanced scenery is awesome, sure, but I can't actually use it, because my Radeon RX-6800-XT GPU apparently doesn't have enough mojo, even though it was just 1 step below top of the line in 2023 when I bought it. I've had to turn off or downgrade to "Low", a lot of the graphics settings in FS2024 that work just fine at Medium or High in FS2020. Trying to run FS2024 graphics with the realism set any higher than Medium drops the frame rate to below 20 fps, and drives the GPU fans to max speed, which sounds like an F-18 at full afterburner. I refuse to shell out another $1,500 for an Nvidea 5090 GPU, especially since I'm not certain that my 5 year old mobo and Ryzen 5-3600 CPU would then prove to be another bottleneck.

Then there's the issue of problematical compatibility with legacy aircraft and add-on utiliites. Some of my favorite planes and add-ons from FS2020 don't work properly or at all in FS2024; the Touching Cloud DG-808s glider has various glitches in FS2024, for example some of the avionics are dead. Kinetic Assistant doesn't work at all: the tow planes, the glider launch winches, and thermal hotspots are all non-functional in FS2024, and without thermals, the gliders are crippled. Half the time, the tow planes and winches that are built in to FS2024 don't work right - the tow plane creeps slowly along the runway, eventually rolls of the edge into the grass, and just stops there. So I've more or less abandoned FS2024.

So the amazing news I got today is that one of my favorite FSX planes, the Grumman HU-16 Albatross (known as the SA-16 to USAF SAR crews), which is part of the FS2024 Premium package, can be imported into FS2020 if you bought licenses for both, as I did. I've flown the HU-16 and the G-111 variant several times in FS2024, and it's a lovely aircraft both to fly and just to look at. It's not fast, being a flying boat, but with the float tanks and drop tanks, it's got the "legs" (fuel capacity and range) to fly all the way from the West Coast to Hawaii, or Seattle to Coast Guard Station Kodiak, Alaska, if you wanted to simulate a long non-stop ferry flight. It's a much larger plane than the G21 Goose, and it handles more "ponderously" if you will, but it has huge flaps and a very low stall speed. It's perfectly stable on final approach at 75 KIAS, even with nearly full fuel tanks, and on a water takeoff, it gets up on the step at about 35 kts, and simply accelerates until it has enough lift to break free of the water at about 80 knots. The modelling is incredible: the interior seats and stretcher racks (in the SAR version) are incredibly detailed. The cabin doors open and close, and you can almost imagine what it would be like to take a ride in the plane if it were real. I flew it for about an hour around Sacramento, CA, made a couple of water landings and take-offs in Folsom Lake, and landed at McClellan Air Park when I was done. What a joy! I also live the OZX G21 Goose Redux II - it's very fun to fly, but it doesn't have the range of an HU-16.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and don't forget to return your seat backs and tray tables to their upright and locked positions after you enjoy your Turkey feast tomorrow.