Airfoillabs

Airfoillabs (AFL) is a premier flight simulation development studio renowned for creating high-fidelity, "study-level" General Aviation and turboprop aircraft for X-Plane. They are best known for their acclaimed Cessna 172 NG (available in both modern Digital G1000 and classic Analog six-pack editions) and the twin-turboprop King Air 350.

What sets Airfoillabs apart is their focus on total pilot immersion and hands-on preflight operations. Instead of simply spawning into a running aircraft, simmers can perform complete interactive 3D exterior walkarounds—physically inspecting tiedowns, taking fuel samples to test for contamination, checking engine oil levels, and monitoring tire wear.

Under the hood, their aircraft feature deep mechanical and electrical systems with over 170 failable components that wear down over time and react to how you treat the engine. Powered by their custom XJet interface, automated spoken checklists, and precise performance calculators, Airfoillabs provides an approachable learning curve for beginners while offering the uncompromising procedural realism demanded by seasoned pilots.

As of this posting (2026) AFL is working on a study-level Boeing 737Max8