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EST. 2020 | 500+ 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
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
4 days ago8 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
G-Rebels (Games Forged In Germany 2025 Demo)
Thoughts on the July 2025 demo for G-Rebels by Reakktor Games.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 30, 20257 min read
Dancing Wings: Aerobatic Aspirations
Aerobatic flight simulators are a rarity. We take a look at what is available for this new in development indie game and give our thoughts on its spiritual predecessors and potential future.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 16, 20254 min read
Flight Sim Expo 2025 in Review
An extensive account of attending the FSE 2025 from the point of view of an attendee. From travel to walking the expo floor.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 9, 202515 min read
Colibri Dogfight Tournament in Review
As we put this VRChat event behind us to focus on the future, we would like to have one last review of the event.
Skyward Staff
Jun 18, 20257 min read
ScrapWings (Steam Next Fest June 2025 Demo)
The Steam Next Fest June 2025 demo for ScrapWings by AmadeusCraft shows a slice of what the solo developer is trying to achieve. With a semi-open world concept, dedicated story missions and collecting scrap to create items, the game has potential.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jun 11, 20256 min read
Indie Highlight 001: Series Start
The start of a long-time coming series. Indie Highlight focuses on current, past and still in development indie flight games.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 17, 20257 min read
The Form and Function of Clouds and Weather in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Skies Unknown is the first entry in the Ace Combat series to introduce clouds in a way that is both visually stimulating and a game mechanic that directly effects gameplay.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 14, 20257 min read
Nuclear Option: Open Ocean SAMs
The second map for Nuclear Option features dedicated surface-to-air missile sites that offer a welcome long-range threat to complicate missions.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
May 7, 20255 min read
Aerofly FS: Decent Flight Sim on the Nintendo Switch?
A recent work trip demonstrated the value of mobile flight simulator to this writer. Aerofly FS is a known flight simulator with an unexpected port to the Nintendo Switch. Does it compromise itself to run on this console? Read about our initial flights with this simulator.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Apr 23, 20254 min read
Nuclear Option Mission: Sand Castle
Our first mission for Nuclear Option by Shockfront Studios is out now!
Skyward Staff
Apr 12, 20253 min read
Pre-Release Interview: Exosky (2025)
A pre-release interview with the indie developer of Exosky shortly before its release on March 7th, 2025.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 26, 202517 min read
Ita-Planes: Flying Devotion (2025)
An insightful article about one of the most unusual traditions of virtual and real world aviation. 2025 update.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 15, 202510 min read
Couch CO-OP Flight: Mirage, A Biplane Adventure
Thanks to an offer from its developer, two Skyward writers try Mirage: A Biplane Adventure during Steam Couch CO-OP Fest February 2025.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Feb 12, 20257 min read
Review: Paper Planes (Early Access Release)
"The squirrels are now fully targetable, as intended."
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 11, 20259 min read
Nuclear Option: Tactical Tarantula
Our introduction to the quad proprotor VTOL tactical airlifter you did not know Nuclear Option needed.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jan 4, 20255 min read
DCS World Mission Preview: Sabana Strike
A preview of the second publicly available Skyward Original mission as it nears completion.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Dec 14, 20244 min read
Exosky: Imaginative Aerobatics
An unusual aerobatic game backed with a well documented flight model. AI cats, fantastical worlds and risky maneuvers ahead.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Nov 30, 20244 min read
Scramble: Battle of Britain Early Access Launch Interview
Early access launch day interview with Jon Coughlin from Slitherine Games about this new turn-based tactical air combat title.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 28, 202411 min read
Tiny Combat Arena: Rebalanced Armor
Ground forces in this flight sim lite have been revamped thanks to rebalanced armor values, weapon values and more.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 16, 20244 min read
Aviassembly: The Pursuit of Payload - An account of our descent into madness
We tried out Aviassembly's newest demo, here is our descent into madness!
Caio "Hueman" Barreto
Oct 10, 202414 min read
VRChat: F-14A Tomcat Naval Interceptor 1.2.0 Release
Out now! Our thoughts on the new large update for this F-14A Tomcat focused VRChat aviation world.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Oct 5, 20247 min read
Interview: Brent with Curious Dog Games; Making "Blue Sky Aces"
An extensive interview with Brent from Curious Dog Games about the still in development Blue Sky Aces.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Sep 7, 202414 min read
DCS World: Low, Fast, One Pass
Pushing the humble DCS MB-339A into nap of the earth combat sorties during mission testing.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 28, 20244 min read
DCS World: ADM-141 TALD Tactics in 2024
Improved surface-to-air missile AI in DCS 2.9.6 means renewed ADM-141 TALD tactics to defeat them.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 21, 20246 min read
Nuclear Option: Carrier Duel
The 'Carrier Duel' mission in Nuclear Option is a solid introduction to fleet carrier warfare for the game.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Aug 14, 20246 min read
At Skies Edge: Reaching Decision Height
At Skies' Edge update 0.09a has pushed the project towards a point where a serious decision must be made about its future.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 27, 20246 min read
VRChat Aviation at Virtual Market 2024 Summer
Visiting VRChat aviation related booths at VKet Summer 2024; the largest virtual market in the world.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 24, 20246 min read
Thunder Helix: Tornado S.A.R!
A classic example of a developer side project producing an interesting scenario.
Aaron "Ribbon-Blue" Mendoza
Jul 10, 20244 min read
Skyward FM Milestone: 400+ Website Releases
Taking a moment to reflect on Skyward's latest achievement: over 400 releases on our website.
Skyward Staff
Jul 6, 20243 min read
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