A familiar roar is about to hit the skies of Microsoft Flight Simulator, MSFS. According to Air & Space Forces Magazine, The New Jersey Air National Guard’s F-16 Fighting Falcons will soon lend their authentic sounds to the popular video game series, thanks to a recording session by Tyler Bolhuis, founder of Echo 19 Audio Production.
In February, Bolhuis visited the 177th Fighter Wing at the Atlantic City Air National Guard Base to capture the sounds of the F-16. He recorded everything from the click of cockpit switches to the roar of the engine during low-altitude flight. These recordings will be used in an upcoming add-on module for both the 2020 and 2024 versions of MSFS, developed by third-party creator IndiaFoxtEcho.
Tyler Bolhuis, founder and CEO of Echo 19 Audio Production, visits the 177th FW to professionally record audio from the F-16C fighter jets to be featured in Microsoft Flight Simulator (Photo: 177th Fighter Wing, NJANG)
Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the most well-known and realistic flight simulation programs. First released in 1982, it has evolved into a highly immersive experience used by gamers, aviation enthusiasts, and even real pilots. The latest editions feature real-time weather, satellite imagery, and detailed aircraft models, offering users a chance to fly nearly any aircraft across a digital version of the real world.
Despite the incredible graphics, Bolhuis believes audio is what truly brings the experience to life. “The graphics look so good in modern-day video games, but sound really drives emotion,” he told Air & Space Forces Magazine.
Bolhuis has been working in flight sim sound design for years, creating high-quality audio for games like Digital Combat Simulator and Arma. He started Echo 19 to improve the realism of flight sims after noticing, even as a kid, that aircraft in games didn’t sound quite right.
Recording real aircraft is no easy task. Bolhuis planned his visit to align with regular maintenance and training flights, so the government wouldn’t have to cover any extra costs. He also used high-end microphones designed to capture specific frequencies, stating that something like an iPhone just wouldn’t pick up the detail needed for a true-to-life experience.
Each aircraft engine sounds different, even within the same model. For instance, the Pratt & Whitney engine and the General Electric engine of the F-16 have different idle tones. Bolhuis works closely with developers to recreate those details, layering different sound elements together so virtual pilots get the most realistic experience possible.
There’s no official release date yet for the new F-16 sound module, but once it’s live, fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator will be able to hear what it’s like to sit in the cockpit of a real Fighting Falcon. As Bolhuis put it, “It’s cool to be able to give these iconic planes the sounds they truly deserve.”
READ MORE: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Faces Turbulent Start
This is awesome!
Gaming makes no sense to me I am old and rather watch DANGED planes in the sky going buzz buzz buzz buzz over my head with Lilly flowers in bloom
That’ll be another one to get
Cool!
Been a long time since I played flight sim. I9ght have yo get back into it. Wish I still had a copy of Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe.
Can’t wait!
I’m familiar with those sounds. Seems like a cool addition
This will make the simulation experience more authentic! Can’t wait to check it out.
Sounds sick
Probably super fun but nothing beats the real thing.
SICK!
I’m not going to lie. I’m pretty fascinated on how they’re actually able to do that. From recording all the sounds to inputting and adjusting them to the simulation. It’s amazing how video games/simulation graphics came so far and improved over the years!
Years ago most of the advances in gaming came from serious work on computer simulations for training. Gradually that changed as the gaming market expanded, so now most advances in computer simulation are spillover from gaming.
Nice
That is cool.
winner
Nice!
Adds more immersion to an already very realistic sim!
Let’s Goooo.
The secret code for the give away is too long to enter. lol screw me i guess
Email hq[at]americanlegion.gg
This gives me Top Gun vibes!!
Amazing
Sounds amazing!
Winner 🏆 winner, chicken dinner
Nice
Nice
great article
great article
That’s going to be surreal!!
Awesome
Pretty neat we’re able to do this level of realism, what a cool advancement in gaming tech.
That’s awesome!😯
Nice
That’s the interesting Take on this particular subject
That’s sick, so stoked!!!!
So cool!
Love the sound of freedom
This is awsome
This is great
Amazing
Nice!
I’ve never played a flight simulator, but this makes me consider to!
Looks super cool!
far cry from flight simulators in the 80s
Awesome!
Comment
Awesome
Long dart
Long dart
Can’t wait
Awesome sauce!
Excited for this expansion!
I’d like to give it a try!
Hmm, wonder if my son ever played this
This is epic
Awesome article
This makes me want to relive my Air Force days!!! 🙂
This will be cool and nostalgic for some. Ultimately cool for those who have never actually been in the cockpit.
Fly fight win!
Nice
So cool!!!
Pretty cool
nice!
u had the tail hook down at the beginning! 🙂
Yes
Yes
This is awesome!!!
Great giveaway! Thanks.
Nice! I’m all for putting realistic sounds into games that have real life objects in them!
Daily comment time:
1. I think I have finally figured out how to beat the damned popup that eats comments
2. It is rapidly becoming clear that the giveaway asking for daily comments on the blog was a BAD idea (sorry ALG, but page after page of one-line nonsense is not making the blog better).
3. Just to add something that is actually on topic, I don’t know how much sound contributes to the emotional aspect of games but I am confident that having the correct sound is important to the experience for people who have experienced the real sound. Just like sci-fi books and videos, games rely on something known as “suspension of disbelief.” We know it isn’t real, but you can immerse yourself in the story and it will feel real as long as it remains consistent and there isn’t something to jar you out of it. Most of us don’t know what an F16 should sound like, but for someone who has experience flying it would be negatively impacted by the wrong sound.
Good stuff
Nice! Looking forward to this.
Excited
This is awesome.
This is awesome. I can’t wait!
This is freaking awesome
Smooth
Dope
That’s awesome I can’t wait
This is very cool
Thank you for the giveaway!