Aerofly FS is one of the most accessible and visually stunning flight simulators available, offering a polished experience that runs smoothly even on mid-range hardware. While the base game includes a solid selection of aircraft, the community has created an extensive library of third-party add-ons that can dramatically expand your fleet. Whether you are looking for a classic warbird, a modern airliner, or a niche experimental plane, installing and managing third-party aircraft in Aerofly FS is a straightforward process once you understand the file structure and best practices.

This guide will walk you through every step—from finding reputable sources to organizing your hangar like a pro. You’ll learn how to install aircraft manually, handle updates, troubleshoot common issues, and keep your simulator running smoothly. By the end, you’ll have a well-organized collection of third-party aircraft ready for your next flight.

Why Use Third-party Aircraft in Aerofly FS?

The default aircraft in Aerofly FS are carefully tuned, but they represent only a fraction of what the community has created. Third-party aircraft can offer:

  • Greater variety – From vintage taildraggers to the latest business jets, community add-ons cover gaps not addressed by the base game.
  • Higher fidelity – Many third-party developers put extra effort into realistic flight models, custom sounds, and detailed cockpits.
  • Unique liveries – You can find aircraft painted in real-world airline schemes or custom designs.
  • Free and paid options – There are excellent freeware choices as well as high-quality payware that rivals commercial offerings.

Because Aerofly FS uses a relatively simple file-based architecture, adding these aircraft does not require complex installers or registry edits. A basic understanding of folder structures is all you need.

Before You Begin: Prerequisites and Preparations

Check Your Aerofly FS Version

Third-party aircraft are often built for a specific version of Aerofly FS. Confirm that you are running the latest version by opening the simulator and checking the About menu. If an update is available, install it first to ensure maximum compatibility. You can download updates from the official Aerofly website or through your platform’s store (Steam, App Store, etc.).

Back Up Your Current Aircraft Folder

Before making any changes, it is wise to create a backup of your existing aircraft directory. Navigate to the main Aerofly FS installation folder (default paths are listed below) and copy the entire Aircraft folder to a safe location. This precaution allows you to restore the original state if something goes wrong.

Locate Your Aerofly FS Installation Directory

The exact path depends on your operating system and where you installed the simulator. Common locations include:

  • Windows (Steam): C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Aerofly FS 4 (or similar)
  • Windows (standalone): C:\Program Files\Aerofly FS
  • macOS: /Applications/Aerofly FS 4.app/Contents/Resources (right-click the app and select Show Package Contents)
  • Linux: ~/.local/share/Aerofly FS 4 (or the Steam library folder)

Once inside the main directory, look for a subfolder named Aircraft or aircraft. This is where all plane data resides.

Finding and Downloading Third-party Aircraft

Reliable sources are key to avoiding malware and ensuring add-ons work correctly. The following websites are trusted by the Aerofly community:

Always read the description and user comments before downloading. Pay attention to the required Aerofly FS version and any special installation instructions.

Step-by-step Installation Process

Once you have downloaded a third-party aircraft (usually as a ZIP file), follow these instructions:

1. Extract the ZIP Archive

Do not simply copy the ZIP into the Aircraft folder. Right-click the file and choose Extract All (Windows) or double-click to unzip (macOS). You should see a folder containing a .tmb or .tgc file (the model) along with textures, sounds, and a .cfg configuration file.

To keep things organized, create a new folder inside the main Aircraft directory. Name it something like MyAircraft or CommunityAddons. This separates your custom planes from the default ones, making updates and removal easier.

3. Move the Extracted Aircraft Folder

Take the unzipped aircraft folder (containing all its files) and move it into your newly created subfolder. For example:

…/Aerofly FS 4/Aircraft/MyAircraft/Cessna_172_Custom

4. Verify the File Structure

Inside each aircraft folder, you should see a .tmb file (the 3D model) and a .cfg text file. Some add-ons may also have subfolders like textures, sound, or panels. Do not move these files individually—keep them in their parent folder.

5. Restart Aerofly FS

Launch the simulator and go to the aircraft selection menu. Your new plane should appear. If it does not show up, try restarting your computer or verify that the folder structure is correct (see troubleshooting below).

Managing Your Aircraft Collection

Once you have several third-party aircraft installed, organization becomes important. Here are practical tips for keeping your hangar tidy:

Rename Folders for Clarity

The name of the folder inside Aircraft is what appears in the simulator’s aircraft list (though sometimes the internal name in the .cfg file overrides it). Use descriptive names like Boeing_737_800_custom rather than airplane1.

Create Subcategories

You can group aircraft by type, airline, or region. For example:

  • Aircraft/MyAircraft/Airliners/
  • Aircraft/MyAircraft/GeneralAviation/
  • Aircraft/MyAircraft/Military/

The simulator will scan all subfolders recursively, so you can nest them as deep as you like.

Use Livery Packs

Some download packages contain multiple liveries. To avoid clutter, place the base aircraft model in a main folder and then add liveries as subfolders (if the author supports that structure). Many add-ons today are designed to work with a livery manager, but manual placement works too.

Updating Third-party Aircraft

When a newer version of an aircraft is released, simply download the updated ZIP, extract it, and overwrite the old folder. You can delete the old folder first to avoid leftover obsolete files. Always check the changelog for any changes that might affect your saved flights or settings.

Removing Aircraft

To uninstall, delete the aircraft’s folder from your MyAircraft (or wherever you placed it). Some add-ons may leave cache files in Documents/Aerofly FS 4; you can safely delete those too. Restart the simulator to refresh the list.

Advanced Management: Editing .cfg Files

If you are comfortable editing text files, you can fine-tune how an aircraft appears in the menu. The .cfg file inside each aircraft folder contains parameters like:

  • name – The display name (can include spaces).
  • icon – Path to a thumbnail image.
  • category – Some versions of Aerofly FS support category tagging (e.g., “General Aviation”).

Open the .cfg file with a plain text editor (Notepad, TextEdit). Change the name= line to something more descriptive. Save the file and restart the simulator. If you break something, restore from your backup.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful installation, you may encounter problems. Here are the most common issues and their fixes:

Aircraft Does Not Appear in the Menu

  • Verify that the aircraft folder is directly inside the Aircraft directory (or a subfolder).
  • Check that the folder contains a .tmb file. Some older add-ons use .tgc—both are acceptable.
  • Restart Aerofly FS completely (not just the main menu).
  • Look for a .cfg file that might have syntax errors. Open it and ensure it does not have missing quotation marks or extra spaces.
  • If the add-on was designed for an older version of Aerofly FS, it may not be compatible. Search for a version updated for your build.

Missing Textures or Black Aircraft

  • Ensure the textures subfolder is present and contains .dds or .png files.
  • Some add-ons require you to copy texture files into a specific location defined in the .cfg. Double-check the folder structure against the author’s instructions.
  • If the aircraft uses a livery system, you may need to select the livery from the in-game livery chooser.

Poor Performance or Freezes

  • Third-party aircraft with high polygon counts can stress your system. Lower graphics settings or reduce texture resolution in the simulator’s options.
  • Check for conflicting files. If you have two versions of the same aircraft, remove the older one.
  • Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date. Some complex models bring out driver bugs.

Sounds Not Working

  • The .cfg file must reference the correct sound files. Verify the path inside sound= points to a valid folder with .wav or .ogg files.
  • Copy the sound folder from the download into the aircraft directory if it was missing.

Best Practices for a Stable and Enjoyable Experience

Follow these guidelines to keep your Aerofly FS installation healthy:

  • Download from trusted sources only. Avoid obscure file-sharing sites that may host malware or broken files.
  • Keep a readme file. Authors often include installation notes specific to their addon. Read them before copying files.
  • Backup your entire Aircraft folder periodically. This makes recovery painless if an update overwrites your custom planes.
  • Test one aircraft at a time when installing multiple addons. If something breaks, you immediately know which one caused it.
  • Join the community. The official Aerofly forum and Discord channels are excellent resources for help and discovering new aircraft.

Expanding Your Fleet Beyond Aircraft

Third-party aircraft are just one way to enhance Aerofly FS. You can also install custom scenery, airport enhancements, and repaint packs. The same installation principles apply—download, extract, and place the files in the corresponding folders (e.g., Scenery or Aircraft/Textures). Many scenery add-ons are designed to work seamlessly with third-party aircraft, giving you a fully customized experience.

If you are interested in real-world operations, consider adding aircraft that support the sim’s advanced autopilot systems. Some add-ons even include custom flight dynamics that accurately replicate performance charts. Always check the description for details on what systems are simulated.

Conclusion

Installing and managing third-party aircraft in Aerofly FS is a rewarding process that opens up a world of aviation possibilities. By following the structured approach outlined in this guide—preparing your environment, extracting files correctly, organizing your collection, and troubleshooting with confidence—you can build a hangar that suits your preferences without risking the stability of the simulator.

Remember to keep backups, read documentation, and rely on the helpful community when you hit a snag. With a little practice, you will be able to add new planes in minutes and enjoy the endless variety that third-party developers bring to Aerofly FS. Now, take your new aircraft for a spin and enjoy the flight.