Why is Turboprop Flight Simulator a successful game?
by Infinity Aviation
(October 15 2025)
(October 15 2025)
Turboprop Flight Simulator is one of the most popular flight simulators, with over 10 million downloads on the Play Store alone. But what’s making it so successful? Let’s discuss the key elements behind its success:
1. Free to play
While many flight simulators have adopted pay-to-win tactics by making their games paid or releasing separate paid-only DLCs, Turboprop Flight Simulator remains completely free to play. You can unlock all content using in-game currency, which is earned by completing levels in Missions mode or watching advertisements - which is also one of the few ways the game itself generates revenue for the developer.
Turboprop Flight Simulator currency
2. Easy to learn
Although some might consider it a disadvantage, one of the main reasons TFS is so popular is because it’s really easy to learn. The game has simple controls that can be quickly understood and remembered, even by people who’ve never played a flight simulator before. This makes TFS the first step into flight simulation for many players - a fun and accessible introduction to the world of aviation.
Developer of Turboprop Flight SImulator, Alexandru Cristian Petre
3. Works well on low-end devices
Sometimes we do wish TFS had trees or moving clouds, but the way it’s currently built allows people with all kinds of devices to play it - even older, low-end ones.
And I’m not just talking about the 30/40/60 FPS limiters available in the settings. The textures, models, and objects on TFS’s main island and archipelago are well-balanced: detailed enough to look good, but light enough not to cause lag on most phones and tablets.
And I’m not just talking about the 30/40/60 FPS limiters available in the settings. The textures, models, and objects on TFS’s main island and archipelago are well-balanced: detailed enough to look good, but light enough not to cause lag on most phones and tablets.
4. Missions
Even though most players prefer Free Flight, it’s important not to forget about the Missions mode mentioned earlier - it includes dozens of levels. Even if you already have most of the in-game content unlocked and don’t need more currency, the missions are still fun to experience. Each one feels unique and offers a small challenge or story, making them enjoyable to revisit.
Locked missions
5. Customization
This part doesn’t get enough attention. Unlike many modern games, TFS lets you customize your experience down to the smallest details. In the settings, you can not only choose between tilt or joystick controls but also tweak things like camera options, UI layout, collision warning time, measurement units, and even HUD color or opacity.
That level of customization is rare for mobile flight simulators and gives players full control over how they want to fly.
That level of customization is rare for mobile flight simulators and gives players full control over how they want to fly.
Huds colour customization
These are just a few reasons why Turboprop Flight Simulator continues to be such a successful game, remaining one of the most active and well-known mobile flight simulators even eight years after its release.
There are many more factors behind its success - but let’s save those for future discussions. Thank you for reading!
There are many more factors behind its success - but let’s save those for future discussions. Thank you for reading!
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