2021-06-23T15:30:22 02:00

Flight Simulator 2020 Mods: The 15 best modifications

In our mod guide to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 we tell you:

What the best Flight Simulator 2020 mods are
How to install and find modifications
Which mod pack you must know

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) recreates our planet in unprecedented detail. If that's too boring for you, then customize the flight simulator to your liking with modifications and addons. Just a few weeks after release, hundreds of digital creators are already romping around Microsoft's specially introduced mod marketplace. You'll also find plenty of third-party content outside of the flight simulator. To make sure you don't lose track of the large selection, we present the best Flight Simulator 2020 mods in our guide.

Check out our Flight Simulator tips & tricks guide to become an even better digital pilot.

Last update: 23.06.2021

How do I install Flight Simulator 2020 mods?

The easiest way to install Flight Simulator 2020 mods is via the game's official marketplace. In the "one-stop store" you can find both paid and free modifications for the flight simulation. The Flight Simulator marketplace works like an app store on your smartphone. After you have selected an extension, it will be installed automatically and will be available in the flight simulation shortly after.

You can also enrich Flight Simulator with content outside of the official marketplace. Not all Flight Simulator 2020 mods make it into the game. Especially when it comes to true-to-the-original aircraft liver ies, but also for aircraft mods or airports, the largest offer is available from third-party providers. You can find them on modding websites like nexusmods or in modding forums like VFR-Flightsimmer (German) or FSDeveloper (English).

However, you can only install third-party mods(third-party content) on the PC. To do this, you must first localize the game folder on your PC. Then open the previously downloaded mod and copy or unzip its contents into the "Community" folder.

Important: Always follow the installation instructions that come with every third-party mod for Flight Simulator. Because sometimes the installation of Flight Simulator mods is a bit more complicated.

Flight Simulator mods for better gameplay

To get even more out of Microsoft's latest flight simulator, we present you the best gameplay mods for Flight Simulator 2020 in the following.

VFRmap

While the world map in Flight Simulator is so detailed and accurate, especially because of the connection to Bing Maps, the map service was never really popular in the real world. The same is true for the VFR map, which helps you with orientation during flight ("V" key).

The remedy is the VFR Map mod of the same name, which is based on the Open Street Map service. The open source project uses a local web server to determine your map position, speed and flight altitude. This makes in-game navigation much more fun, and you can even teleport to your desired position while flying.

Spacedeck

With the Spacedeck mod you can turn your smartphone or tablet into a second screen. This way you get rid of distracting displays on the main screen and can fully concentrate on flying. In order for your second device to be recognized, you need to download the Spacedeck app for iOS or Android. You will also need to install the Spacedeck server on your PC.

Also, make sure that both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. The connection is automatically established as soon as you open the app on your smartphone or tablet. The second display is especially useful for showing the in-game map during flight ("V" button).

Working Visible Copilots

So that you don't have to get bored on longer flights, you can get a co-pilot in the cockpit with the Working Visible Copilots mod. The mod features 24 animated pilot avatars that perform their tasks during the flight. All instruments, buttons and visual effects will continue to work properly after you put a co-pilot in your cockpit. You won't be able to talk to your co-pilot, but at least you won't be so lonely anymore.

More Interesting Weather Presets

Do you think that your flights could use a little more action from time to time? One modder was of the same opinion and added more weather effects to Flight Simulator 2020. His mod More Interesting Weather Presets offers twelve different weather effects that will put your skills as a pilot to the test. These include blizzards, freezing rain, dense fog or desert heat.

The best Flight Simulator 2020 mods for your plane

Have you always wanted to fly a fighter jet in Flight Simulator? Then take a look at the following aircraft mods for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

F-22 Raptor fighter jet

If the planes included in the game are too slow for you, you can fly fighter jets with the help of mods. We can especially recommend the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. However, don't expect a blatant speed rush. The mod is visually well done, but it is not designed for the extremely high speed of fighter jets. If you like exciting dog fights at high altitudes, you should rather go for the Ace Combat series.

F-14

The same applies to the F-14 fighter jet mod, which adds another fighter jet classic to the flight simulator. The legendary swing-wing aircraft has been making the airspace unsafe since the 70s. Thanks to the modification you can fly the so-called "Tomcat" in Flight Simulator 2020.

Concorde

Unfortunately, in reality it is no longer possible to fly with Concorde, a supersonic passenger plane. Thanks to the Concorde mod, however, you can still do a few laps with this legendary aircraft, at least virtually. The mod is currently still in development and therefore still has a few rough edges. There are no afterburners yet, the cockpit is not yet interactive and the on-board electronics do not yet do what they should. From the outside, however, the Concorde already looks really good.

The best airports for Flight Simulator 2020

Since the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, well over 100 replicated airports have been released. So that you don't have to click through the large offer yourself, we present the best airport mods for trips into the wilderness.

ENSD, Sandane, Norway

The Norwegian airport ENSD, Sandane is located in a breathtaking landscape. Modder Augustin Winther has managed to authentically capture the fairytale atmosphere around the runway with the Airport - ENSD, Sandane mod. Through manual terraforming and recreated buildings, the small runway looks like in real life.

Thanks to the detailed implementation, the airport earns its place among the best Flight Simulator 2020 mods. Even cab lanes, parking lots and ground markings match the original. Moreover, the environment is always kept up to date thanks to satellite images.

Machmell Fisheries, British Columbia

Almost as beautiful is the airport mod Machmell Fisheries. The small airport in the middle of British Columbia's wilderness is one of the best Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 mods for fans of nature, forests and mountain landscapes. With its 700-meter runway, the airport is perfect for light aircraft excursions.

OG20 Fairways Airport

Fairways Airport is the perfect base for sightseeing excursions into and over nature as well as Oregon's historic towns. The two runways are unpaved, so you'll need to have a little flair for the critical phases of flight. Note: You must register to download the free Flight Simulator mod.

Mod packs, paint schemes and other modifications

Below you will find the best mod packs as well as other Flight Simulator mods that will make your virtual piloting life easier.

Clinks Livery Mega Pack V12

Simply download the latest version of the Clinks Livery Mega-Pack from the official Discord server, unzip the contents into the community subfolder of the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 folder and be happy. Currently, the mod pack includes more than 770 liveries. From American Airlines to Lufthansa, all well-known airlines and many more designs are included.

AI Traffic Liveries

If you miss original liveries on AI-controlled aircraft, the Flight Simulator 2020 mod AI Traffic Liveries will remedy the situation. After installation, the liveries of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, KLM, easyJet as well as British Airways will be displayed faithfully.

Stonehenge

Looking for a new destination? Get the Stonehenge mod to view the legendary monument from the air. As long as you look at the mysterious stone formation from a distance of at least ten meters, the implementation is well done.

Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge

Or how about the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge in Greece. The modification includes not only a photorealistic model of the second longest cable-stayed bridge in the world. The detailed implementation of the surrounding area has also been thought of. Included are tollbooths, the castles of Rio and Andirrio, adjacent urban areas and even some ferries.

Simple Realistic for Microsoft Simulator

The Simple Realistic for Microsoft Sim ulator mod is one of the most popular mods for Flight Simulator 2020 in the community, because with the mod you can improve the graphics of the flight simulation without having to accept major performance losses. The ReShade mod ensures that the shadows look even better. In addition, you can adjust color saturation, light intensity and brightness directly in the flight simulator. Take a look at the direct comparison - with and without modification.

In addition, Microsoft is working on new expansion packs and DLCs for its flight simulation. This should allow the modding community to create seaplanes or helicopters for Flight Simulator 2020 in the future.

Which Flight Simulator mod has earned a place in our top list? Let us know in the comments!

More guides for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 - The best tips and tricks

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