Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aegis Ashore: Ace Combat 7 Air Defense Boss
A relatively unknown bastion of air defense, as seen in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
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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
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Sep 13
- 3 min
PUD-J5A: PS2 VR Headset for Flight Gaming
Remembering and wishing for a retro 21-year-old VR headset for PS2!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Sep 6
- 4 min
Frontiers Reach: Warmap's Place in the Game
Our thoughts on the Warmap mode in Frontiers Reach; an open-ended galactic scale conflict.
Skyward Staff
- Aug 30
- 8 min
Heads Up View DT1: Unboxing, First Impression
Our first product review of 2023 focuses on the DT1 Heads Up Display from Heads Up View LLC. A real HUD changes everything.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Aug 23
- 3 min
Skycadia: Utilizing Chaos
In Skycadia one of the greatest strategies is using the enemy's weapons against them! Take advantage of the chaos.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Aug 12
- 5 min
DCS World Mission Editor: Mobile Air Defense Convoys
The start of a new series focused on DCS mission editing. We discuss using mobile air defense convoys to surprise players in combat.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Aug 2
- 3 min
Ace Combat 7: Playing with the Fog of War
A short summary and opinion of one of the least appreciated missions in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jul 26
- 4 min
Nuclear Option: SFB-81 Darkreach Strike Bomber
Player controlled bombers in flight games and sims are uncommon. We take a look at how Nuclear Option presents these platforms.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jul 19
- 5 min
VRChat Aviation: Addressing the Aircraft Model Predicament
Proactive changes to secure the future of this aviation platform While I haven't mentioned it here on Skyward Flight Media in quite some...
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jul 12
- 6 min
Flight Sim Expo 2023: Our Perspective
Our personal perspective of Flight Sim Expo 2023.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jun 28
- 3 min
MSFS 2024: Bringing Purpose to Flight with Pilot Lifestyles
The option to choose a career in aviation will bring purpose and direction to MSFS 2024.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jun 14
- 4 min
At Skies' Edge: The First Update
The first considerable update to a game that reappeared from obscurity The reception of At Skies' Edge was unexpected, even by its...
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jun 7
- 5 min
First Impression: TOP DOG
TOP DOG is a new fast-paced, quick into the action indie flight game we are trying out for the first time.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- May 24
- 5 min
DCS F/A-18C Hornet: The King of Stand-Off Attack
The F/A-18C Hornet is the king of stand-off attack in DCS World. Here's why!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- May 13
- 4 min
DCS World: Dying for the "Perfect Shot"
An opinion piece that discusses the concept of getting the "perfect shot" Digital Combat Simulator and the problems with pursuing it.
Skyward Staff
- May 10
- 6 min
DCS World F-15E Strike Eagle: What We Know so Far and Our Thoughts
Let's talk about the upcoming F-15E Strike Eagle for DCS World, its capabilities, limitations and what we will be able to do at launch!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- May 3
- 4 min
At Skies' Edge: Stealth Dropped Flight Game
Our thoughts on At Skies' Edge, shadow dropped indie flight game from 2017 suddenly reappearing in 2023.
Skyward Staff
- Apr 19
- 4 min
Skyward Flight Media: Third Year in Review
The co-founders of Skyward Flight Media take a pause from content creation to reflect on the third year of operations.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Apr 12
- 3 min
DCS MB-339: Accidental Purchase, Genuine Interest
Accidentally bought the MB-339 for DCS World? I guess it is time to see what it has in store and learn something while I'm at it!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Apr 8
- 11 min
Interview: Nova Squadron, Lead Developer Clara Gale
Clara Gale is an indie game developer working on Nova Squadron. We speak to her after the game's alpha demo debut at Steam Next Fest 2023.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Mar 18
- 4 min
DCS World: Oops, All Aces
Consider this a reminder to check your old DCS missions for large amounts of Ace pilots that are now overwhelming the gameplay experience.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Mar 15
- 2 min
OASES: 'Kaleidoscopic Elegiac Flyscape'
A well-wish to someone they never knew, OASES is more of a "flight experience" than a "flight game.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Mar 8
- 3 min
Air Conflicts: Flawed Head Tracking
A thoughtful addition to the Air Conflicts series with a rough execution. Very much like the series itself.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Mar 1
- 12 min
Frontiers Reach: Release Day Interview
Frontiers Reach has left early access. Read our release day interview with the project's lead developer to learn more about this title.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Feb 15
- 3 min
The Brew Barons: Expanding the Open World
Development of The Brew Barons towards its full release continues. We discuss how its open world continues to expand.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Feb 11
- 4 min
Creator Highlight: Showtime112
Highlighting a creator using Digital Combat Simulator and War Thunder to present historical air combat from around the world.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Feb 1
- 6 min
First Impression: Nova Squadron (Steam Next Fest Alpha Demo 0.1.0)
Our first impression of alpha demo 0.1.0 for Nova Squadron by Clara Gale. Play this demo early before Steam Next Fest 2023.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jan 28
- 3 min
DCS World: Buddy Bombing!
An uncommon tactic for helping wingmen that have lost situational awareness get their laser guided bombs on target. Form up, pickle now!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jan 18
- 4 min
PICO-8: Combat Chopper
No longer satisfied with occasionally roaming around on the website, I recently made the plunge and purchased a PICO-8 "fantasy game...
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jan 4
- 4 min
Apache Air Assault: Presentation of Ranged Combat
An analysis of Apache: Air Assault's reasonable presentation of ranged combat using radar, sensors and FLIR and more.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Dec 28, 2022
- 5 min
Ace Combat: Player-Controlled Strategic Bombers
A retrospective piece discussing the era of player controlled strategic bombers in the Ace Combat series.
Skyward Staff
- Dec 14, 2022
- 2 min
Flight Sim Expo 2023 Registration Begins December 17th, Skyward Discount Code
Registration for Flight Sim Expo 2023 begins on December 17th. 10% discount code available. Read for more information.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Nov 16, 2022
- 13 min
VRChat Airshow Management with the Black Aces Stunt Team
An interview with Riko and Uni Power, leaders of the Black Aces Stunt Team, about performing airshows for live VRChat audiences.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Nov 8, 2022
- 4 min
Creator Highlight: Dslyecxi
Dslyecxi and his group, Shack Tactical, provide examples of air operations I've always dreamed of flying in Arma 3.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Nov 2, 2022
- 3 min
Clouds 2.8: An Opinion on DCS 2.8's New Dynamic Weather
I have hopes that the fair weather flyer status quo will begin to change with DCS 2.8's dynamic weather.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Oct 18, 2022
- 5 min
TALD: Enhancing DCS World Coordinated Strikes
The Tactical Air Launched Decoys, or TALDs, are one of DCS' most underrated tools! Let's talk about their usefulness on the battlefield.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Sep 17, 2022
- 5 min
DCS World: Understanding the Interest in the "Foothold" Mission
The easiest way to describe what it provides is "task-focused gamification" without compromising simulation.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Sep 10, 2022
- 4 min
VRChat Aviation: The potential of the Open World Movement Logic System
The Open World Movement Logic system brings long distance flights to VRChat aviation and new potential to flight on this platform.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Sep 3, 2022
- 4 min
Macross: Flying 4th Generation Fighters Against Futuristic Mecha
Two games from the Macross series let stubborn fighter jocks fly fixed-wing fighters against futuristic transforming robots.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Aug 17, 2022
- 3 min
Flying Carrot CAP in Hare Fare
My latest adventure into indie flight games led me to a cutesy planetoid in need of irrigation, bug swatting, and a long-eared pilot hero.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Aug 12, 2022
- 7 min
DCS World: Keybinds for Improved Jester AI Coordination
Multi-crew capable aircraft are some of the most interesting modules in the Digital Combat Simulator World. Operating a full-fidelity...
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jul 27, 2022
- 5 min
Aggressor: 'New Horizons' Looks to the Future
The first major update to Aggressor since its early access launch now positions the game for a better future.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jul 19, 2022
- 3 min
Project Wingman MG-29: Cost Effective Multirole Master
An opinion piece about the MG-29 and why it is the cost effective multirole master of Project Wingman.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jul 8, 2022
- 6 min
Interview: Aerovery Lab, Developer of Flight of Nova (Early Access 2022)
An exclusive interview with Aerovery Lab about Flight of Nova, a new space flight simulator game!
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jun 29, 2022
- 5 min
GroundFall: June 2022 Bush Flight Survival Testing
Testing the latest survival elements in GroundFall; a still in development open world bush flight simulator.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- Jun 1, 2022
- 3 min
Hands on Console and Stick: Atari 2600 F-14 Fighter Simulator
As someone that collects and plays retro video games as a hobby, the Atari 2600 has a special place in my collection. Something akin to...
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- May 18, 2022
- 7 min
Star Wars: CAS Strikes Back!
The counterattack on Takodana in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens solidified Poe Dameron's position as "one hell of a pilot"....
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
- May 10, 2022
- 7 min
Flight in Ghost Recon: Wildlands
A helicopter drops a sniper onto the side of a cliff in the dead of night. Minutes later, a pair of operatives leap from the aircraft,...
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