Blackbird Simulations Offers Premium Flight Simulator Aircraft As Free Downloads

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Blackbird Simulations, formerly known as MILVIZ, has made a significant announcement that has excited the flight simulation community. The company has released the majority of its Prepar3D (P3D) aircraft catalog as freeware, marking a goodwill gesture toward the P3D community in return for many years of patronage and support. This unprecedented move makes high-quality, detailed flight simulator aircraft models available at no cost to users, representing one of the most generous free offerings in the flight simulation industry.

The announcement was made through various channels, including AVSIM forums, where users expressed excitement about the opportunity to download these premium aircraft models without charge. The collection includes a diverse range of aircraft from military helicopters to civilian planes, each featuring detailed modeling and realistic flight characteristics.

Available Aircraft Models

Blackbird Simulations' free catalog encompasses a wide variety of aircraft, each meticulously crafted with attention to detail and authenticity. The collection represents decades of aircraft development and includes models that were previously premium offerings.

Among the available aircraft is the PC-6, a popular utility aircraft that users have begun downloading. This aircraft is compatible with both FSX (Flight Simulator X) and P3D (Prepar3D), making it accessible to a broad range of flight simulation enthusiasts. The PC-6 is described as featuring "painstakingly researched realistic details, a high quality FDE (Flight Dynamics Engine), and functional (yet harmless) weaponry."

The collection also includes several high-altitude and high-heat versions of the popular MD-500 series. These models are packed with features and represent some of the most detailed helicopter simulations available in the freeware space. The MD-500 models are compatible with P3D V2 and V3, as well as FSX.

For those interested in warbirds, Blackbird Simulations offers the "King of the warbirds," described as a "top notch release" featuring full systems modeling as well as optional TacPack equipped versions. This aircraft is compatible with P3D V2, V3, and FSX, and includes TacPack functionality for enhanced simulation capabilities.

The PA-30 Twinkie is another notable addition to the free catalog, described as making "a light twin hat-trick" for enthusiasts of light twin-engine aircraft. This model is portrayed as a "rugged STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) stalwart" that delivers authentic flight characteristics.

Additional aircraft in the free collection include: - A beam-following rendition of a well-loved classic aircraft - One of the most iconic military helicopters of all time, ready for simulation - The Classic Series release of the YF-23 Black Widow II - Various aircraft from the Phantom and Super Saber series - The Skyraider and Beaver models

Each aircraft in the collection is developed with attention to detail, featuring realistic flight dynamics, authentic systems modeling, and high-quality textures. The free offerings represent a significant value to the flight simulation community, as these models were previously available only as premium products.

Technical Specifications and Compatibility

The aircraft released by Blackbird Simulations come with varying technical specifications and compatibility requirements, catering to different simulation platforms and user preferences.

Compatibility is a key consideration for potential users. Most aircraft in the free collection are compatible with multiple platforms, including: - FSX (Flight Simulator X) - P3D (Prepar3D) versions V2, V3, V4, and V5 (depending on the specific aircraft) - Some models include TacPack functionality for enhanced simulation features

The technical specifications of these aircraft are impressive, considering they are now available at no cost. Each model features: - Painstakingly researched realistic details - High-quality Flight Dynamics Engine (FDE) - Functional systems modeling appropriate to each aircraft type - High-quality textures and visual effects - For military aircraft, "functional (yet harmless) weaponry"

The YF-23 Black Widow II, for example, is described as a "Classic Series Release" that represents one of the most advanced aircraft designs ever created. The model includes full systems modeling and optional TacPack equipped versions for users seeking the most realistic simulation experience.

The MD-500 series models are highlighted for their excellence in systems simulation, described as having "unrivalled simulation" capabilities, particularly for high altitude and high heat environments.

Compatibility with Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 is a question raised by some users. According to forum discussions, these aircraft "won't natively" work in MSFS2020 as they were "developed for FSX/P3D." This indicates that users interested in these models would need to use either FSX or one of the supported P3D versions.

The aircraft models vary in complexity and system modeling depth. Some are designed as accessible entry-level models with simplified systems, while others feature comprehensive simulation of aircraft systems that would appeal to more dedicated simulation enthusiasts. The inclusion of TacPack functionality in certain models adds an extra layer of realism for users who want the most detailed simulation possible.

How to Download the Free Aircraft

The process for obtaining these free aircraft models is straightforward, though some users have reported technical challenges during the download process. The official source for these freebies appears to be the Blackbird Simulations website, specifically the free samples page at blackbirdsims.com/flight/freebies.php.

According to the available information, users can download these aircraft directly from the Blackbird Simulations website. The website provides a listing of available aircraft, with each entry typically including: - Aircraft name and brief description - Compatibility information (which simulation platforms it works with) - Key features of the model - A download link

The download process involves clicking on the appropriate link for the desired aircraft and saving the installation file to the user's computer. Once downloaded, the aircraft can typically be installed by following the included instructions, which usually involve placing the aircraft files in the appropriate directory within the user's flight simulator installation.

Some users have reported challenges with the download process. According to forum discussions, some downloads have been incomplete or corrupted, with users reporting files that stopped downloading at various percentages (such as 80% or 158MB of 163MB). These issues appear to be related to server overload rather than problems with the files themselves, as one user noted that when downloads were corrupted, "the speeds were slow - and sometimes the download took quite a while just to get started."

Several users have suggested that the download servers may have been "getting hammered" due to high demand for these free products. This has led to some users recommending waiting for the initial rush to subside before attempting downloads.

To address download issues, some users have reported success with: - Trying different browsers - Downloading during off-peak hours - Verifying file integrity after download - Attempting downloads multiple times if they fail

The Blackbird Simulations website does not appear to offer direct customer support for these free products, as one user noted that "they offer absolutely no support there's no point in asking them, either." This suggests that users experiencing technical issues may need to rely on community forums or self-troubleshooting.

User Experiences and Feedback

The release of Blackbird Simulations' aircraft catalog as freeware has generated significant excitement within the flight simulation community. User feedback has been largely positive, though some challenges have been reported.

Many users have expressed appreciation for the generosity of the offer. One user commented, "That's really wonderful that they would do this. Lots of great titles here, including the Phantoms, Super Saber, Skyraider, and Beaver." This sentiment was echoed by others who recognized the value of these premium-quality aircraft now being available at no cost.

Specific aircraft have received particular attention: - The PC-6 was mentioned by one user who was "downloading PC-6 right now" and expressed excitement about the availability of "FSX and P3D all free." - The collection of military aircraft, including the Phantoms, Super Saber, and Skyraider, has been highlighted as containing "lots of great titles." - The inclusion of iconic military helicopters has been noted as particularly valuable for enthusiasts of rotary-wing aircraft.

Download issues have been a common topic of discussion in forums. Some users have reported successful downloads, while others have encountered problems: - One user managed to download the Cessna 310 after "2 attempts," with the first download aborting at 80%. - Another user reported that the B55 Baron download stopped at 158MB of 163MB. - Some users have been "unable to download any single product that isn't corrupted."

These download issues appear to be temporary and related to server capacity rather than fundamental problems with the files or the offering. One user suggested that the issue might be because "the servers have been getting hammered" due to high demand.

Compatibility questions have also been raised, particularly regarding Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. As noted earlier, these aircraft were developed for FSX and P3D and do not work natively in MSFS2020. This has led to some questions about whether these models could be adapted or converted for use in newer simulation platforms.

Despite the challenges, the overall sentiment in the community has been one of gratitude and excitement. Many users have expressed appreciation for the generosity of Blackbird Simulations in making these high-quality aircraft available for free, recognizing that this represents a significant value to the flight simulation community.

Conclusion

Blackbird Simulations' decision to release the majority of its P3D aircraft catalog as freeware represents one of the most generous offers in the flight simulation industry. This goodwill gesture provides users with access to high-quality, detailed aircraft models at no cost, including a diverse range of military and civilian aircraft.

The collection includes notable aircraft such as the PC-6, MD-500 series, various warbirds, and iconic military helicopters, each featuring realistic flight dynamics and authentic systems modeling. These models are compatible with FSX and multiple versions of P3D, with some including TacPack functionality for enhanced simulation.

While some users have reported download challenges, likely due to server overload during the initial rush, the overall response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. The free offerings represent significant value to flight simulation enthusiasts, particularly those interested in military aircraft and detailed helicopter simulations.

This move by Blackbird Simulations demonstrates the company's appreciation for the P3D community's support over many years. By making these premium-quality aircraft available for free, the company has not only rewarded existing customers but also attracted new users to its products and the flight simulation hobby in general.

For flight simulation enthusiasts, this opportunity to acquire detailed aircraft models without cost is unprecedented. While the downloads may require patience during peak times, the quality and variety of aircraft available make this offer particularly valuable to the simulation community.

Sources

1. Blackbird Simulations Freebies Page
2. AVSIM Forum Discussion
3. Mudspike Forum Discussion
4. Steam Community Discussion