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EST. 2020 | 570+ POSTS
STAFF PROFILE
Co-founder
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
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 continues to explore past and present flight games and simulators with his extensive collection of game consoles and computers.
WORKS
Skyward SW-142 Jabiru for SimplePlanes 2
The Skyward SW-142 Jabiru is now available for download to glide through the skies of this well-known sandbox builder. While Skyward FM does have other original aircraft in VRChat, this is the first SW designated aircraft for SimplePlanes 2.
Skyward Staff
3 days ago4 min read
GeoFS: The True Free Flight Simulator
Irked by Google Earth Flight Simulator, we discuss GeoFS by Xavier Tassin: the true free flight simulator worth a simmer's time and effort.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 117 min read
AeroFlight LIVE - Saipan Airshow 2026
Information on the upcoming Saipan Air Show 2026 by AeroFlight LIVE. A summer beach themed two-day airshow in Digital Combat Simulator.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 73 min read
Aerovector Jet Team: Remembering American Airpower 2025
On the 250th anniversary of the foundation of the USA, we remember the American Airpower 2025 airshow and discuss the Aerovector Jet Team's twilight performance.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 43 min read
Crosswinds: Flight, Love, Jazz, Journey
Picturesque islands, humming seaplanes, failed heists and the search of a far flung lover? Crosswinds by Octeto Studios has our attention.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 23 min read
Pimax: MSFS 2024 Backcountry Getaway
The second article in our Pimax collaboration series focuses on a backcountry getaway in MSFS 2024 and becoming familiar with the Pimax Play and EVO software.
Skyward Staff
Jun 306 min read
Wings of Aviora Enters Early Access
Wings of Aviora by Stormy XP has entered early access. We give a few quick thoughts on this open world indie flight game that focuses on building fantastical combat aircraft.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jun 273 min read
Ace Combat 8 HORI Flight Stick: Innovation and Regression?
Thoughts on the new Ace Combat 8 HORI branded flightstick from the POV of a PC gamer and Ace Combat fan.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jun 258 min read
Ace Combat 8: June 2026 Report
A deep dive into the burst of Ace Combat 8 content that started at Sony State of Play 2026. Article to be updated throughout June 2026.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jun 721 min read
FSExpo 2026: New Combat Arena Details
The Combat Arena at FlightSimExpo 2026 seems to be flying under the radar. We discuss new insider details about this important event for military aviation at the upcoming event.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jun 36 min read
Pimax: Two Sides of VRChat
Our collaboration with Pimax starts in a place where every setting is possible. What better place to start? Photography worlds and flight worlds in VRChat.
Skyward Staff
May 308 min read
Pimax-Skyward Collaboration 2026
In May 2026, Pimax and Skyward Flight Media have entered a content creation focused collaboration. A long-term use case plan has been put in place centered on the Pimax Crystal Super Ultrawide virtual reality headset. All details are explained in this announcement post.
Skyward Staff
May 264 min read
Grinnelli Designs: Living F-100D
Our next article about Grinnelli Designs and the F-100D Super Sabre hits many subjects. Its immense flight model, access to flying aircraft, new levels of customization and thoughts on where the F-100 will find its place in DCS.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 239 min read
Renaissance of Ace Combat Abandonware
With Ace Combat Infinity and Ace Combat Xi accessible once again in 2026, we take a look at fan run abandonware efforts.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 164 min read
VRChat: DERUTA Air Force 5th Air Festival
We discuss the next big event for VRChat aviation coming on May 17th, 2026 at 21:30 JST. The three hour long DERUTA Air Force 5th Air Festival.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 94 min read
Lakehopper: Bush Delivery Experience
Forming opinions on Lakehopper weeks after its early access release. Treating it as a true flight simulator enhances the experience.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 76 min read
SimplePlanes 2: Open World Collecting
This writer finally "gets it" thanks to the need to explore the SimplePlanes 2 map to find hidden vehicles.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 24 min read
Thoughts About FlightSimExpo 2026
As Skyward FM starts a new spike in activity, our co-founder thinks on the upcoming FlightSimExpo 2026 and its impact on how he views flight simulation.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Apr 285 min read
Skyward Flight Media: 6th Anniversary
Skyward Flight Media is now 6 years old, let's reflect on what that means for us~!
Skyward Staff
Mar 284 min read
Nuclear Option: Limiting Munitions
Limiting munitions in Nuclear Option creates opportunities for players and their NPC allies to run logistics missions and bleed air defenses dry.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Mar 188 min read
Interview Just Pocket Games, Developer of Pocket Flight
Discussing a soon to release "cozy" flight game with a new dev team. Pocket Flight releases on March 12th, 2026.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Mar 117 min read
Steam Next Fest February 2026
Our thoughts on a handful of indie flight game demos that were available during Steam Next Fest February 2026.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Mar 46 min read
Ace Combat 6: Dynamic Mission System
The Dynamic Mission System of Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation is not a vital part of the flight arcade genre, but it is a good example of a tool to give players more situational awareness during large-scale battles.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 214 min read
Interview: Dimitar Stoyanov, Developer of Bush 1022
We interview Dimitar Stoyanov, the indie game developer who created Bush 1022. We discuss his hobbies, journey into game development and Bush 1022 itself.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 1110 min read
Blue Sky Aces: Time Based Unlocks
Variety of aircraft is often a core element of flight games. The big question is always: how does someone get access to all those aircraft? Blue Sky Aces by Curious Dog Games uses a time progression system that makes aircraft available in game as they became available in World War I.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 44 min read
Aggressor: Sudden Return, Valuable Message
With the sudden return of this game comes an important message from the developer that any developer should take note of.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 284 min read
Exosky: In Peak Form
Exosky is better than ever after a few considerable updates to its gameplay. With refinement to flight model, new peripheral support and more, we take to the simulated skies and see what has been going on.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 244 min read
Making Mischief: VTOL VR Electronic Warfare in the EF-24G
The EF-24G is the electromagnetic maestro of electronic warfare in VTOL VR by Boundless Dynamics. We discuss its capabilities and its place in VTOL VR.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 148 min read
Lakehopper: Flying vs Operating
An upcoming indie flight game focused on seaplanes gets the writer thinking about the difference between flying an aircraft and operating an aircraft.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 75 min read
Sky On Fire: 1940 - Early War Sorties
We start 2026 by catching up with an indie World War II flight sim lite we have never covered before.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 38 min read
Ace Combat 3: Resurgence Towards Revival?
Discuss the ever building presence of Ace Combat 3 appearing in more modern Ace Combat games. Could this resurgence lead to a reasonable remake?
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Dec 24, 202510 min read
Nuclear Option: A-19 Brawler, Update 0.32
Our key takeaways on Nuclear Option Update 0.32.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Dec 20, 20257 min read
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve - Announcement Trailer Thoughts
Thoughts on Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve with three decades of context from two life-long fans of the series.
Skyward Staff
Dec 13, 202516 min read
Rotor Sim: Whirlybird Adventures
This helicopter focused indie flight game simcade is a non-combat experience that prioritizes rotary-wing operations in a well-rounded setting.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Dec 3, 20255 min read
Indie Highlight Series: November 2025 Update
An update on the series. Where are we now? How does this work? An invite to flight action game indie developers!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Nov 12, 20253 min read
The Spotlight: Venom Cinematic
Venom Cinematic is one of our favorite Digital Combat Simulator World video content creators.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Nov 6, 20253 min read
500 Releases: A Major Milestone
On October 18th, 2025 Skyward Flight Media posted its 500th website release. We take a moment to look back at some defining moments in the organization's content releases so far.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 29, 20255 min read
VRChat Aviation Journal: Gliders and Airships
First article in a new series focused on VRChat Aviation puts the spotlight on gliders and airships.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 22, 202511 min read
Steam Next Fest October 2025
A compilation of our thoughts on a handful of flight focused games with demos at Steam Next Fest October 2025.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 18, 20258 min read
Air Pico: A Micro Flight Simulator
Air Pico by Mot is one of the latest flight games on a "fantasy" retro game console that never existed.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 8, 20254 min read
Nuclear Option: UH-90 Ibis
Nuclear Option's latest update is out, and with it comes the UH-90 Ibis! Let's check out this amazing multirole utility helicopter.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 4, 20257 min read
VRChat Aviation: VRC Flight Week 2025
September 12th - 19th, 2025. An official aviation focused event on VRChat made possible by Negentropic, Boeing and the Australian Government.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Sep 13, 20253 min read
GroundFall: Island Hopping
Discussing the shift of setting from Alaskan style terrain to island backcountry flying in this bush flight simulator.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Sep 10, 20254 min read
DCS Mission Editor: SAM Map Appreciation
Two maps in DCS World incorporate new, but simple additions to the map that make it easier to build missions with known air defenses as a backdrop.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Sep 6, 20255 min read
First Impression: Sky Aces (August 2025 Demo)
Our first impression of a scrappy new indie dogfighter with decent AI and a solid amount of detail.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 27, 20255 min read
Skywriter Academy: A Gust of Creativity
Skywriter Academy is an intentionally clumsy skywriting game created in just a few days for GMTK Game Jam 2025.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 20, 20253 min read
Soaring Free: Freeware Gliders for MSFS 2020
Soaring along ridges and through thermals is some of the best fun you can have in MSFS 2020 - join us as we take a look at a collection of glider add-ons you can try out without spending a dime!
Caio "Hueman" Barreto
Aug 9, 202513 min read
VRChat: BlackCats - Maritime Interdictor by 5Sori
BlackCats: Maritime Interdictor by 5Sori is a solid example of a PVE flight experience in VRChat. Board a PBY-5 Catalina and search for the enemy at sea.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 2, 20256 min read
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