As Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 continues to expand its ecosystem, third-party developers are stepping in to refine niche aspects of the simulation experience. Among these efforts is GAmod 2024, a community-driven freeware addon designed to address the underrepresentation of General Aviation and military traffic in the default sim.
GAmod is already quite popular in MSFS 2020 and is now compatible with MSFS 2024, providing simmers on the new platform with increased and more consistent levels of GA traffic.
Core Features
Just like the MSFS 2020 version, GAmod for MSFS 2024 introduces GA and military traffic to nearly all global airports, excluding major hubs like Heathrow or JFK to prevent overcrowding. Utilizing airport data from LittleNavMap’s database, the mod employs .bgl traffic schedule files to generate offline AI traffic, simulating realistic flight patterns without relying on real-time data.
The current iteration relies on MSFS 2020-native aircraft models, including the Cessna 172, Grand Caravan, King Air 350, and more, pending Asobo Studio’s decryption of MSFS 2024 assets. Military traffic features custom 3D models by EggMan28, while kychungdotcom’s ATR 72-500 model adds regional airline presence. However, the 2024 release does not currently include special traffic types such as helicopters, hot air balloons, or blimps.
Traffic Density and Settings
It’s well known that AI traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator can take a heavy toll on performance. Having dozens, potentially hundreds, of objects in the user’s vicinity, each following its flight path, impacts both CPU and GPU usage. Therefore, it’s important to consider this when selecting an appropriate AI traffic density in the sim.
That said, the developer of GAmod suggests that MSFS simmers customize the AI traffic settings in MSFS 2024 by navigating to the Global Render Quality Settings in the sim and selecting the most appropriate AI Traffic setting. Using the Paris region as an example, here’s what you can expect with each setting:
- Low: 2 active VFR flights and some IFR traffic, yielding approximately 95 aircraft in the Paris region.
- Medium: 4 VFR flights with increased IFR activity, generating around 140 aircraft.
- High/Ultra: Maximizes IFR traffic, with up to 151 aircraft in dense areas.
Notably, traffic density in the U.S. exceeds other regions due to higher real-world GA activity. At Ultra settings, users near busy U.S. airports may encounter over 300 active AI aircraft, which may require performance adjustments for lower-end systems.
A separate Airport Traffic setting deploys static GA aircraft at ramps and gates using Asobo’s AI models, further enhancing immersion when you’re still at the airport.
GAmod 2024 addresses a persistent gap in MSFS 2024 by emphasizing GA traffic realism, particularly at smaller airfields. While its reliance on MSFS 2020 models and absence of special traffic categories present temporary limitations, the mod continues to be a pragmatic solution for enthusiasts seeking enhanced immersion while flying small airplanes in the sim.
For installation guidelines, check the official GAmod 2024 page on flightsim.to. And remember, it’s a free download!
