The Douglas DC-9 still fascinates me to this day. To me, it’s a PYT (Pretty Young Thing)—only about 60 years young. When it finally arrived in MSFS, I was naturally excited, but I was also taken aback by the wave of negative reviews comparing it to MScenery add-ons. I had to try it for myself, and here is what I found.

The Exaggeration

Since the latest MScenery 737-100 release, I think we can all agree that the DC-9 is in a totally different league. Yes, it has its flaws, but at least it features custom systems, a vintage autopilot (unlike the 737-100 add-on, which inexplicably has a modern FLCH mode), and a custom cabin.

The Systems

Comparing it to the real-world BMI and EAL FCOMs, I did find some disappointing shortcomings. For instance, the inlet lights do not extinguish as intended when the boost pumps are checked and crossfeeds are opened. Additionally, the SCAT system and pointers do not follow their real-life counterparts during testing, and certain annunciations fail to illuminate.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of finer details, such as the Elevator PWR light illuminating when the elevators are deflected to the full nose-down position.

The Visuals

The night lighting is actually quite stunning. The textures are okay—as long as you don't get too close! It reminds me of the old days when I was told not to sit too close to the TV, otherwise, you'd see the scanlines.

The Autopilot

This is the area I find the most enjoyable. You have to be very careful with V/S (Vertical Speed) and Altitude Hold, as it isn't nearly as responsive as a modern jet. That said, it is incredibly rewarding to fly VOR-to-VOR.

---

Final Verdict

Overall, the Skysim DC-9 isn’t spectacular, but it certainly isn’t as bad as some critics claim. If you’ve shelved it in your virtual hangar based on reviews, I have a suggestion: Why not give it another go? ;)

A lot of my friends have put off flying this aircraft because they don't quite understand the autopilot. I’ve always thought of these retro jets as "Big Cessnas." I have put together an FCOM-based tutorial for the jet if anyone is interested.

PS: If Skysim is watching, feel free to use the insights in my video to improve the model!

Cheers, 

Joshua757

 

Maybe not that bad, maybe is the price that is high for this add-on. Btw I don't have it, really considered the product before but some reviews for 2020 stopped me from buying it, I don't know if in 2024 the product improved enough for justifying the cost, anyway thanks for your review.

58 minutes ago, alexcolka said:

Maybe not that bad, maybe is the price that is high for this add-on. Btw I don't have it, really considered the product before but some reviews for 2020 stopped me from buying it, I don't know if in 2024 the product improved enough for justifying the cost, anyway thanks for your review.

no worries. I do get where you're comming from 🙂

So the criticisms are exaggerated and it's really not too bad, because the simple default-code autopilot works ok?

....these are the wheels on said product.

For most people, this constitutes garbage.  Even mildly recommending one of the lowest quality, over-priced, widely scorned releases for MSFS is just not wholesome IMHO.

 

Edited May 8May 8 by JYW

Whoa! And they want 60 bucks for THAT?? 

16 hours ago, JYW said:

So the criticisms are exaggerated and it's really not too bad, because the simple default-code autopilot works ok?

....these are the wheels on said product.

For most people, this constitutes garbage.  Even mildly recommending one of the lowest quality, over-priced, widely scorned releases for MSFS is just not wholesome IMHO.

 

Haven't people found issues with PMDG wheels too? I guess I have different tastes because I spend most time in the cockpit. 

6 hours ago, Joshua757 said:

Haven't people found issues with PMDG wheels too? I guess I have different tastes because I spend most time in the cockpit. 

I spend 95% of the time in the cockpit too.  The issues with this aircraft are not limited to the wheels.  It's just an example to show people who may consider picking this up, the level of quality (or lack of) we're talking about here.

2 hours ago, JYW said:

 The issues with this aircraft are not limited to the wheels.  

Indeed. I mentioned a few issues in my original post and stripped it bare in my vid, spared nothing. If only the excellent coolsky DC-9 made its way to msfs.

@Joshua757 Are you the guy spamming Reddit about this? I hadn't commented there because you've been rightfully called out and downvoted for this AI slop multiple times. 

It's a shockingly bad plane. Almost on the level of MScenery - and I say this for the audacity to charge such a huge amount for such low quality. I had hopes for the last patch but it barely fixed anything even though it was promising a lot.

The worst money I ever spent on the sim, and I'm the only one to blame as I like the plane itself.

15 hours ago, Georgleboui said:

@Joshua757 Are you the guy spamming Reddit about this? I hadn't commented there because you've been rightfully called out and downvoted for this AI slop multiple times. 

It's a shockingly bad plane. Almost on the level of MScenery - and I say this for the audacity to charge such a huge amount for such low quality. I had hopes for the last patch but it barely fixed anything even though it was promising a lot.

The worst money I ever spent on the sim, and I'm the only one to blame as I like the plane itself.

At least we can both agree that we like the DC-9 plane but not the addon. Lol. 

Hard disagree about MScenery equivalent. As explained in my original post. You just have to take a look at their latest 737-100 which proves my point (!) 

Again, this does not put the DC-9 addon in the clear.

I have seen other reddit comments too in the past stating its fruitless to draw comparisons between them. The reviews are mixed: some/most have expressed distaste while some have actually praised its night lighting.

With that being said, yes the addon leaves much to be desired. I agree with that entirely. 

The DC-9 sure does deserve more attention in the sim world and I hope someone will one day make it right.

Edited May 10May 10 by Joshua757

15 hours ago, Georgleboui said:

Are you the guy spamming Reddit about this? I hadn't commented there because you've been rightfully called out and downvoted for this AI slop multiple times. 

It's a shockingly bad plane. Almost on the level of MScenery - and I say this for the audacity to charge such a huge amount for such low quality.

You seem to be contradicting yourself. You accuse a fellow member of criticising a product but then agree with him that it’s low quality. Make your mind up.

6 hours ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

You seem to be contradicting yourself. You accuse a fellow member of criticising a product but then agree with him that it’s low quality. Make your mind up.

No contradictions here. I disagree with the mildness of his criticism and the overall sentiment that "it's not quite all that bad" and "people have been overly harsh". The shellacking this thing gets is rightfully deserved, and anything less than that is letting the dev off the hook. It's a $60 add-on that pretends to have depth (while misspelling switch labels) but is really just MScenery quality, and a developer who has pretty much completely abandoned it. 

1 minute ago, Georgleboui said:

No contradictions here. I disagree with the mildness of his criticism and the overall sentiment that "it's not quite all that bad"

There are no right or wrong opinions. Just opinions.

If you feel that strongly about this product write your own review.

48 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

There are no right or wrong opinions. Just opinions.

 

Well said 🙌

On 5/8/2026 at 6:25 AM, Joshua757 said:

 

The Douglas DC-9 still fascinates me to this day. To me, it’s a PYT (Pretty Young Thing)—only about 60 years young. When it finally arrived in MSFS, I was naturally excited, but I was also taken aback by the wave of negative reviews comparing it to MScenery add-ons. I had to try it for myself, and here is what I found.

The Exaggeration

Since the latest MScenery 737-100 release, I think we can all agree that the DC-9 is in a totally different league. Yes, it has its flaws, but at least it features custom systems, a vintage autopilot (unlike the 737-100 add-on, which inexplicably has a modern FLCH mode), and a custom cabin.

The Systems

Comparing it to the real-world BMI and EAL FCOMs, I did find some disappointing shortcomings. For instance, the inlet lights do not extinguish as intended when the boost pumps are checked and crossfeeds are opened. Additionally, the SCAT system and pointers do not follow their real-life counterparts during testing, and certain annunciations fail to illuminate.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of finer details, such as the Elevator PWR light illuminating when the elevators are deflected to the full nose-down position.

The Visuals

The night lighting is actually quite stunning. The textures are okay—as long as you don't get too close! It reminds me of the old days when I was told not to sit too close to the TV, otherwise, you'd see the scanlines.

The Autopilot

This is the area I find the most enjoyable. You have to be very careful with V/S (Vertical Speed) and Altitude Hold, as it isn't nearly as responsive as a modern jet. That said, it is incredibly rewarding to fly VOR-to-VOR.

---

Final Verdict

Overall, the Skysim DC-9 isn’t spectacular, but it certainly isn’t as bad as some critics claim. If you’ve shelved it in your virtual hangar based on reviews, I have a suggestion: Why not give it another go? ;)

A lot of my friends have put off flying this aircraft because they don't quite understand the autopilot. I’ve always thought of these retro jets as "Big Cessnas." I have put together an FCOM-based tutorial for the jet if anyone is interested.

PS: If Skysim is watching, feel free to use the insights in my video to improve the model!

Cheers, 

Joshua757

 

I really appreciate a perspective like this, Josh!

Its clear that you have a passion for classic airliners, and you’re willing to do the deep dives on them to compare against reality rather than popularity. 

It seems as though many in flight sim are rather binary in their opinions of addons. I.e., the addon is either totally Fenix or totally MScenery (especially when backed up by Confirmation Bias - either way!). 

Not only that, it seems to be “cool” if one can find reasons to criticize an addon. I can only assume this is to project a level of expertise, but to me it frequently comes across as bravado. And the more extreme the opinion, the more I feel that way about it.

Now, I’ll freely admit to being a “Study Level Snob” most of the time, but I do usually have a few addons in rotation that are more for a specific purpose than because they’re regarded as Hi Fi renditions. 

For MSFS, this generally includes planes such as the TMS F-22 Raptor and DC Designs AV-8B Harrier. 

Yeah, I know neither one is High Fidelity, but in the case of:

the F-22, the exterior model is still well done, the cockpit was decent (for an early-ish 2020 addon), and it had decently representative peformance. The switchology and systems, though…? Yeah - nah.

Why do I like it though? Well, it’s the Alpha predator of air combat and all that jazz. 

The Harrier is somewhat similar. Despite having a Hi Fi version in DCSW, the MSFS one is quite fun for sightseeing flights where you want to go (relatively) fast, but you also can slow down to Cessna speeds, and/or legit land almost anywhere the aircraft will physically fit (and this was part of its IRL success, as well). 

I could do that in the much more nicely modeled IFT F-35B, but the addons physics and the extremely high IRL automation make it rather joyless as an addon. 

So IMHO it’s important to focus on the pleasure flying a particular addon can bring rather than solely on graphics,  systems fidelity and cost.

I suspect you feel much the same way in re classic airliners. 🙂

Anyhow, thanks for sharing your perspective on the DC-9 and others. 🙏