Aerofly FS: Decent Flight Sim on the Nintendo Switch?
- Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
A Known Simulator on an Unexpected Platform
Recently I had a real world example of the value of portable flight simulators. Between one of the worst hotel room weekend stays I have ever had and taking a break at 2:00 AM while fixing a draft beer system at a Space Force Base, I was still able to get some quality 'stick time' in. These days when you hear "flight game" and "Nintendo Switch" your mind probably goes to rather well done 2024 port of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown to this game console. In this case, I am actually talking about Aerofly FS by IPACS.
About Aerofly
As with every other console created by Nintendo, flight games and simulators are semi-rare titles on their platforms. They are always small in number and limited in what you would consider 'flight simulation' qualities. This is why seeing a Nintendo Switch port of Aerofly FS somewhat surprised me. When I think of this flight simulator, the words "reliable", "consistent", "accessible" and "quality" come to mind. These are things I cannot always say about more high profile flight simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator by Asobo and Digital Combat Simulator by Eagle Dynamics.
Aerofly is very much designed to prioritize efficiency on multiple devices while not compromising on its simulation of aircraft. It maintains a smaller, but diverse roster of 30 aircraft including Widebody airliners, single isle airliners, business aviation, fourth generation fixed-wing fighters, historical aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft, gliders, aerobatic aircraft and more. All major types of aviation are presented. Its flight simulation is detailed enough to include fully simulated wing flex, independent simulation of all flight control actuators and flight control surfaces, instrument navigation aides (ILS, NDB, TCN, VOR) and Thermals.
This article is not a full review of the game yet, but in the mean time I would suggest checking out the Nintendo eShop page for more details on this port of the simulator.
Appreciating Ingenuity
A few weeks ago I purchased Aerofly FS on the Nintendo Switch and only lightly played out of curiosity. My recent long-term stint with the simulator opened my eyes to some intuitive use of the game console's capabilities. With the personal computer version of the sim compatible with flight sticks, computer tablets, multi-function panels, head trackers and similar devices, I wondered how the Nintendo Switch's detachable controllers or gyroscope/motion controls could be used to enhance the flight experience. I thought maybe the controllers would be used similarly to how Sky Rogue used them as a throttle and stick.
Aerofly does nothing with motion controls, but relies on smoothly zooming the camera in and out using the right thumbstick, then letting players interact with the flight instruments, knobs and levers in the cockpit using the game console's touch screen. There are certain important functions like throttle control, flap lever, cycling landing gear and activating the co-pilot (modified auto pilot) quickly accessible on the face buttons, shoulder buttons and analog stuck buttons. The bulk of the controls that need to be utilized to fly advanced aircraft can be accessed via the touch screen.
There are various flight assists in the quick settings that can be enabled or disabled for dampening flight controls, which is actually needed depending on how carefully players manipulate the Joy-Con thumbstick. As it is not an accessory designed specifically for flight simulation, it is possible to frequently perform accidental maximum control inputs at in opportune times. Unless intentionally flying aerobatics, it is advisable to be slow and deliberate with pitch and roll axis movements.
The Quick Flight Test
There is not better way to test a simulator than to do a complete flight that is not just a quick lap around the airfield or a willy nilly wandering session. A genuine "$100 Hamburger Flight", if you will. A highlight of my recent serious flight focused on flying the Aermacchi MB-339 from Lamezia Terme (LICA) on mainland Italy to Palermo Punta Raisi (LICJ) in Sicily.
In the Navigation screen, players can select known airways, set departure and arrival airports, set other waypoints along the way for their flight plan and even select specific NDB to navigate with. The state of an aircraft at launch can also be selected as a mid-air start, a ready on the ramp state or cold and dark state. Players can even zoom the camera in to see an overhead of their departure airport to select the specific ramp position they prefer. For mid-air starts players can also select their position anywhere on the globe, assign their starting altitude and direction and immediately fly. All of this also can be done with the touch screen. It is a rather good experience.
Thanks to my experience with accidentally purchasing the MB-339 in DCS World, then becoming rather proficient with it, selecting this aircraft in Aerofly FS was an easy way for me fully test what this port of the simulator offered.
I was able to cold start the aircraft, depart according to procedure, follow the flight plan as required to enter the arrival airport landing pattern only from the rear seat of the aircraft using cockpit instruments and Navigational Aids, then landing and parking with a full aircraft shutdown. Doing all of this while occasionally needing to adjust course mid-flight due to course deviation caused by wind, I can firmly say Aerofly FS maintains its genuine flight simulation traits without compromising the experience.
I plan on delving deeper into this Nintendo Switch port as it seems my real world work may be taking me on a few more short-term travels in the mean time. Expect to hear a bit more about Aerofly from me in the future.
About the Writer
Co-founder of Skyward Flight Media. After founding Electrosphere.info, the first English Ace Combat database, he has been involved in creating flight game-related websites, communities, and events since 2005. He explores past and present flight games and simulators with his extensive collection of game consoles and computers. Read Staff Profile.
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