What are the chances of a newcomer still being able to make a name for themselves if they start late in a game?
Because when I look at the world's largest cargo airports and consider what they still have to offer in the sim, it seems impractical to set up a route for, say, the remaining 2,000 kg per day that are still available.
Or does this depend on the airport from which the aircraft departs?
Or how should I interpret those figures?
Thx
Starting with pure cargo is rather difficult. I would recommend at least some "hybrid" operation which favours pax operation in the beginning.
But starting mid-game is not a problem at all, there are plenty of good spots if you just make some moments to find a suitable airport as your HQ.
I can't even join the game ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Quote from: 11Air on May 07, 2026, 07:47:57 PMI can't even join the game
Sorry? What's the problem?
You have been a member since 2013 and have played more-or-less continuously...(?)
Quote from: Spotter2004 on May 07, 2026, 12:17:22 PMWhat are the chances of a newcomer still being able to make a name for themselves if they start late in a game?
Because when I look at the world's largest cargo airports and consider what they still have to offer in the sim, it seems impractical to set up a route for, say, the remaining 2,000 kg per day that are still available.
Or does this depend on the airport from which the aircraft departs?
Or how should I interpret those figures?
Thx
I'd say you certainly CAN do well starting half way through a game but you have to be very careful, tactically perfect and a bit lucky too. There are always routes to be had somewhere and as the game progresses, players drop out to start in new worlds or just out of boredom. I'd say study recent bankrupsies to get ideas where to start.
I started off at a medium sized airport in Europe. I knew it wouldn't do me for the whole game but I started with just a few leased turboprops on domestic and regional routes. You have to be patient and grow slowly and knew when to take the leap into expanding more quickly. It's now 2030 and I am number 1 in the overall rankings with 8 bases and a pretty big cargo fleet, everything fully owned of course and +$350 Billion in the bank which I can't spend quickly enough.
So it can be done and I relish the challenge. I haven't started at the beginning of a world for several (real) years now.
Having come back after a bit of a break. Yes you can absolutely start late in a game world and make a good go of it. I have always found it quite fun because it often "forces" you into a part of the world you may not have considered if you were to start at the beginning of the game. Honestly, this can lead you down some fun rabbit holes of strategy and aircraft choices for the region/country you are in. You will make your life harder if you start at an already well served and busy airport.
Games that are quite mature and have been running for a good amount of time, I would argue, it's often easier to start. The Used Market will be much healthier with some decent deals to be had. Unlike a new game world where everyone is clamouring for every available aircraft, you will find aircraft types that a readily available to build with. If you make the error of going after the latest and greatest on the used market, you will find it harder to succeed though.
I would have the opinion that starting in a already mature Gameworld is better for learning the game. The fresh start of a game world is something of a brawl. Everyone is fighting to grow the quickest. It's a great way to learn how to grow the initial stages and work out how far you can push your initial capital to keep growing whilst your initial routes start maturing enough to make enough of a profit to become self sustaining. That way, you have a better idea of what you are doing with the initial growth when you come it right at the start of the Gameworld.
If you were to join Modern Times right now, it's tough. The options on the used are significantly more limited. This really does limit your options for initial growth and will slow you down a lot. That being said, much easier to find underserved markets if you can find enough aircraft and match the right aircraft to the markets you are trying to serve.
Dedicated cargo service is very much additional revenue rather than the rock to build the foundation on. You may find a niche that you can operate a passenger fleet with a small additional cargo fleet of the same type. Saab 340 and EMB120 for example. Standard Cargo on some low demand routes may be underserved because the passenger flights don't carry that cargo, or even much of the Light Cargo. Leaving you with some room for a small cargo fleet.
Expect Bankruptcies, you may not get the start you want first time. However, use that initial start if it goes wrong to look around, get a feel for where there might be an airport with a good amount of routes. And also, get a feel for what aircraft are available on the used market that are readily available for that restart.
Quote from: knobbygb on May 10, 2026, 07:24:08 AMI'd say you certainly CAN do well starting half way through a game but you have to be very careful, tactically perfect and a bit lucky too. There are always routes to be had somewhere and as the game progresses, players drop out to start in new worlds or just out of boredom. I'd say study recent bankrupsies to get ideas where to start.
I started off at a medium sized airport in Europe. I knew it wouldn't do me for the whole game but I started with just a few leased turboprops on domestic and regional routes. You have to be patient and grow slowly and knew when to take the leap into expanding more quickly. It's now 2030 and I am number 1 in the overall rankings with 8 bases and a pretty big cargo fleet, everything fully owned of course and +$350 Billion in the bank which I can't spend quickly enough.
So it can be done and I relish the challenge. I haven't started at the beginning of a world for several (real) years now.
Quote from: freshmore on May 11, 2026, 06:03:49 PMHaving come back after a bit of a break. Yes you can absolutely start late in a game world and make a good go of it. I have always found it quite fun because it often "forces" you into a part of the world you may not have considered if you were to start at the beginning of the game. Honestly, this can lead you down some fun rabbit holes of strategy and aircraft choices for the region/country you are in. You will make your life harder if you start at an already well served and busy airport.
Games that are quite mature and have been running for a good amount of time, I would argue, it's often easier to start. The Used Market will be much healthier with some decent deals to be had. Unlike a new game world where everyone is clamouring for every available aircraft, you will find aircraft types that a readily available to build with. If you make the error of going after the latest and greatest on the used market, you will find it harder to succeed though.
I would have the opinion that starting in a already mature Gameworld is better for learning the game. The fresh start of a game world is something of a brawl. Everyone is fighting to grow the quickest. It's a great way to learn how to grow the initial stages and work out how far you can push your initial capital to keep growing whilst your initial routes start maturing enough to make enough of a profit to become self sustaining. That way, you have a better idea of what you are doing with the initial growth when you come it right at the start of the Gameworld.
If you were to join Modern Times right now, it's tough. The options on the used are significantly more limited. This really does limit your options for initial growth and will slow you down a lot. That being said, much easier to find underserved markets if you can find enough aircraft and match the right aircraft to the markets you are trying to serve.
Dedicated cargo service is very much additional revenue rather than the rock to build the foundation on. You may find a niche that you can operate a passenger fleet with a small additional cargo fleet of the same type. Saab 340 and EMB120 for example. Standard Cargo on some low demand routes may be underserved because the passenger flights don't carry that cargo, or even much of the Light Cargo. Leaving you with some room for a small cargo fleet.
Expect Bankruptcies, you may not get the start you want first time. However, use that initial start if it goes wrong to look around, get a feel for where there might be an airport with a good amount of routes. And also, get a feel for what aircraft are available on the used market that are readily available for that restart.
Happy to hear, but you've already got the experience.
I started playing 'The Age of Flight' sometime in April '97.
I chose my own airport and leased three aircraft, and today (September '97) I've taken on two more aircraft on lease and ordered two new ones, all leased from the same airline group.
I've also got a national and continental marketing campaign running.
Revenue and load factors are rising steadily, and I've even dared to raise the price from -10% to -5%; apart from that, not a single flight is in the red (apart from the new one).
My reputation is also improving steadily, so I think things are heading in the right direction.
My score for the moment is 1022/4460
Any further tips, or am I on the right track?
Quote from: Spotter2004 on May 13, 2026, 01:36:38 PMHappy to hear, but you've already got the experience.
You'll get the experience too and I firmly believe that the best way to learn is to try new things, go outside your comfort zone and sometimes fail spectacularly
Quote from: Spotter2004 on May 13, 2026, 01:36:38 PMAny further tips, or am I on the right track?
Patience. Especially starting mid-game it can seem to take AGES for things to stabilise. Don't rush or over-stretch yourself. Take the extra time this gives to make everything perfect. Make sure you're flying each aircraft to the absolute maximum possible - i.e overnight too! Do NOT cut into the minimum 1% turnaround times though. DON'T lower your prices - this will achieve nothing and starve you of valuable cash-flow. Even a 5% price drop can eat 15% or 20% of your net profits while the flights are still marginal. IF you have the time, while things are slow, I would recommend micro-managing your prices, which many others say not to do. Just increase by 5% here and there where the load factor is high. Since the costs remain fixed this small rise of 5% can increase profit by 15% or 20% for that flight - if you get it right. Every $ you earn is vital early in the game so makes a huge difference. Don't waste any! Be careful with the marketing. Depending on what competition you have you probably don't need to spend much at all. Just have the minimum to get your CI up to 30. This should be no more than 5% of your Total Operating Revenue. How you achieve that makes no difference - i.e. which "type" of campaigns - it's purely about how much you spend. I'm sure others could add more (or disagree).