A Constructive Suggestion to Improve SimFly’s Experience for New Players

Feedback Logic Flow
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Dear SimFly Team,

First of all, I want to say that I truly appreciate the work and passion that has gone into SimFly. The concept is brilliant, the interface is clean, and the integration with flight simulation is one of the most engaging experiences I’ve had in a long time. You’re building something truly special here.

That said, after spending time actively using the platform, I’d like to offer some constructive feedback regarding the current timer system and how it affects new players, especially those who are just starting with one license.

At the current rate, a standard user with a single pilot license (e.g. Cadet level) is only able to earn PAX and XP for roughly 60 minutes of flight time per day. In practical terms, this often means being limited to just one short flight per 24-hour period before timers are depleted. For those who enjoy longer flights, or simply want to fly more than once on their day off, this quickly becomes frustrating.

While I understand the need for monetization and long-term progression, the system gives the strong impression that users are forced to purchase multiple licenses just to continue enjoying the platform daily. This creates a paywall that feels punishing rather than rewarding, especially when we’re excited to use SimFly more frequently, not less.

As a passionate supporter of the project, I truly want SimFly to succeed and grow. But for that to happen, new users need to feel encouraged, not limited. If a player gets blocked from earning anything after just one flight, it may discourage them from engaging consistently or recommending the platform to others.

Suggestions:

  • Allow more flexibility in timer usage, especially for new or lower-level players.
  • Perhaps introduce a free grace period where players can fly more freely during their first week.
  • Let the timer refill faster at lower levels, or increase available minutes for beginner tiers.
  • Alternatively, allow the purchase of temporary flight time blocks rather than full licenses.

Again, I write this with deep respect and a sincere desire to see SimFly suceed. The foundation is amazing, and with small adjustments, it could be even more welcoming and sustainable for all users, especially newcomers.

Thank you for listening and for your continued hard work on this fantastic project

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Personally I appreciate the fact that the community interacts with feedback, hints and suggestions. There are and could be a lot of improvements to make into simfly. Staff will sure look into every suggestion made by us users. I can answer for my self though, and I can say that I leveled up my only license I have, for sure slower than others because I don’t fly that much, but I can say that it wasn’t so frustrating. It’s not just a matter of PAX, I just kept on flying even when timers were not giving pax and a percentage of XP, I tried to make my flights in those 60 minutes as profitable as possible, trying to fly and reaching close to 100 points as possible. And the chance to level up came.

Take note that when user marketplace will be operative, we can buy leveled up license. So at that time if there are easier way for users to gain more time (pax and xp) by new types of rules, maybe just a few would buy leveled up license from other users. I know its tough and seems a long way to level up and gain something, but its even a method to not making things too “easy”. In my opinion. Either way a possible compromise could be made between how it is now and avoiding that users who have the possibility of flying 20 hours a day can take advantage from other users that cannot. At the moment if users have time such as 20 hours to dedicate to simfly, in order to fly that much, they are forced to buy more licenses.

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Greetings, my friend. I’m reaching out to clarify the topic you’re referring to, because the idea that you can only earn PAX for 60 minutes a day is not entirely accurate.

It’s true that flights using your own license only earn PAX while the license is active—initially about 60 minutes per day. But outside of that time, although you don’t earn PAX, you do still earn XP. At first, it’s just 20% of the XP you would normally get, but as you level up your license, that percentage increases.

Also, PAX are not only earned through the flight license. In fact, I personally earn more PAX from other sources than from the license itself—and I only have one license.

You can earn PAX by flying from one airport to another if the destination airport is owned by someone who has enabled the “pay pilot” option. Any user can offer 20% of the earnings to the pilot flying into their airport. Premium users can offer up to 60%.

This payout also increases depending on the distance between the origin and destination airports. That means the same airport might pay more or less depending on where you’re coming from or going to. That’s why I recommend using the airport search tool with the % filter and planning routes with the maximum distance your aircraft can handle, to maximize your earnings—if that’s your goal.

You can also earn PAX by renting aircraft from premium users. Just like with airports, they can pay you up to 60% of the profit you generate with their aircraft.

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I’m sorry, but I disagree with you. Everyone flies as much as they can, that’s clear—but why should a retiree or someone who works from home be penalized just because others can’t fly as much?

In the end, this isn’t just about flying. It’s about integration into an economic environment where those who put in more effort also receive more. Doesn’t that seem fair to you? It does to me. Right now I have time to fly, but when I return to active working life, I’ll barely be able to—so why shouldn’t I be able to accumulate now for when I can’t?

Let’s not lose that perspective, because that’s precisely what sets SimFly apart from just flying solo.

Maybe the right approach is not to obsess over what we earn or what others earn, and just fly however, whenever, and as much as you can or want to.

Let’s look for constructive improvements, not restrictive ones.

Also—and I don’t mean this to diminish anyone—maybe not everything is meant for everyone.

Imagine if, like me, I could only go to the gym once a week, and I asked that nobody else be allowed to train all week, because obviously when the competition comes, they’re going to destroy me…

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Planning is important—there are people who earn 6 PAX from a single flight, even if that’s the only flight they do each day. At that rate, you could buy a Category 1 aircraft every week or a Category 2 airport almost every two weeks.

Analyze the system, look for the most profitable options if that’s what concerns you, and maximize your earnings. Study every flight you make. Combine your license time with your own aircraft—if you have one—or a rented one, and fly between airports offering 60%. You’ll see how things start to get interesting.

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I understand your point of view, don’t get me wrong :smiling_face:, when i write “..a possible compromise could be made between how it is now and avoiding that users who have the possibility of flying 20 hours a day can take advantage from other users that cannot.” I think about all those comments about “realism” on flight behavior , ethics and so on. If its right to work from home and fly at the same time, or trying to earn as much as possible because this is not just a matter of flying but integration into an economic environment, then a lot of things can be tolerated. At the moment simfly doesn’t block anyone by flying 20 hours a day, they just need to have more licenses. And I repeat, mine was just a consideration and thought, rules will not change just because of one or two comments of mine.. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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I repeat too.. You dont need license to get pax. There is more ways. I only have one. :grin: Only need time.

1 Like
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Of course. I also have just one.. but its also math, if you own more than one, you then double your income, as you say, it’s not just a mattar of flying..

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Double your income from Licenses, but I get my main incomes from 60% airports.

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And that is another suggestion…become premium and earn more.. :smiling_face:

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I don’t agree with this either hahaha I woke up combative today. I think Premium, as of now, gets you XP to your Airports and Planes but not PAX. If you gain views at the cost of giving up 60%, it helps your airport grow, but the PAX go to the other one.

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I made this map with the different airports sorted by category and pilot payout percentage. I also drew some routes on it.

On the side, you can see the different categories.

I’ve shared this with a few friends, but it’s nothing that anyone else couldn’t do just by looking at the % table.

The airports marked in red are ours—those of my flying group. Mine have 60%, others don’t, but they’re all marked the same because we’ve committed to flying between our airports and returning the visits.

So if this helps you get more pax, I’ll be happy with that.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?hl=es&mid=14gw13KCoeF9BP1OUJUnqhQn1Zx8zmZA

Please confirm if the link is visible, because it behaves strangely when I post it on this forum.

2 Likes
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My idea to the things with timers ( licences and airplanes) .
Lets have a look to the real world. Planes cycle, for example they fly EDDM - LEPA - EDDM .
This is what we do often in our VA, we do more than one flight in a session.

Maybee not for the licence timers, biut for the aircraft timers it would be very very great, If I will use the same aircraft and airport where Iam arrived, that under this condition, the aircraft has no timer and can be used instantly

3 Likes
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Yes, Powie, I think the same.
I imagine these kinds of features will gradually be added to SimFly, just like in the real world. Great contribution — and if it’s easy to implement, it could be very beneficial for people flying specific aircraft.

Another good idea could be an extra reward if you return the aircraft to its maintenance airport (in the case of GA). Or the aircraft owner could have a list of 5 top airports where, if the plane is returned, you receive that extra reward. Lots of great ideas could come out of this!