Fabio Merlo (Flight Control Tools), best known for FlightControlReplay, has provided many updates for his camera and replay system for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/2024 over the years. Earlier this year, he released FlightControlSpotter, a new application designed to help simmers feel like a spotter within the virtual world.
With the release of the new update, we wanted to chat with Fabio about his products, how he manages to keep updating the app for free, and his thoughts on the future of Microsoft Flight Simulator moving forward. He is also in the unique position of having worked closely with Microsoft and Asobo by bringing his tool directly into MSFS 2024.
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Tell us a bit more about FlightControlSpotter
FlightControlSpotter is an immersive, next-generation aircraft-spotting tool designed to live entirely inside the flight simulator. The idea was to recreate the authentic feeling of being physically present at an airport, whether standing at the fence line, sitting near a runway threshold, or observing operations from a control tower viewpoint, or simply selecting a worldwide point of interest from the extensive list available in the FlightControlSpotter panel. This new feature will be introduced in FlightControlSpotter V1.2, scheduled for release in December.
Inside the simulator, users can monitor AI aircraft and multiplayer traffic in real time, watching how each aircraft moves, aligns for departure, taxis, lands, and interacts with the airport environment. The tool doesn’t just show aircraft — it aims to replicate the whole “spotter experience” by offering smooth camera controls, realistic perspectives, and the ability to follow traffic naturally, as if you were moving your head or repositioning yourself in the real world.
The main goal of FlightControlSpotter is to let aviation fans enjoy the pure pleasure of watching airplanes in motion, without needing to fly themselves. Many sim pilots spend hours perfecting approaches, but there’s a whole other audience that simply loves to observe aviation activity — and FlightControlSpotter is built exactly for them.
Where did you get the inspiration from for the product?
The inspiration comes from two lifelong passions: software development and aircraft spotting. I have always enjoyed building tools that enhance the flight simulation experience, and at the same time, I’ve always been fascinated by observing aircraft movements, both in real life and inside simulators.
Over time, I noticed that many FlightControlReplay users weren’t just replaying their flights for analysis. A surprisingly large number of them were using the tool simply to watch airplanes, explore traffic situations, and enjoy the atmosphere around the airport during a replay. That behaviour became an eye-opener: people clearly wanted a more specialized experience dedicated only to spotting.
From there, the idea evolved naturally. Instead of repurposing a replay tool for spotting, why not build something crafted from the ground up? Something tailored for enthusiasts who love to watch aviation unfold. FlightControlSpotter was born precisely from observing users and understanding their habits — a true example of product evolution sparked directly by the community.
Are you a keen spotter yourself? Tips for beginners?
Yes, absolutely — I’m a very passionate spotter. Watching aircraft has always been one of the activities that relaxes me the most. There’s something magical about identifying aircraft types, listening to engines spool up, or simply waiting for a rare aircraft to appear over the horizon. It’s a hobby that combines patience, curiosity, and passion for aviation.
For beginners, my advice is simple: start small and don’t overthink it. You don’t need expensive equipment. A basic pair of binoculars, a smartphone or entry-level camera, and a flight-tracking app are more than enough to begin. These tools help you recognize aircraft, anticipate arrivals, and understand the flow of airport operations.
Most importantly, be patient and enjoy the process. Spotting is not about chasing only special liveries or rare aircraft. Every single flight — whether a small turboprop or a wide-body jet — has something unique to appreciate. The key is to enjoy being present, learning slowly, and allowing your passion to grow with time.
What can people expect in terms of updates for FlightControlSpotter?
There is an exciting roadmap ahead for FlightControlSpotter. One of the primary goals is to expand its live aircraft-tracking capabilities, improving how users follow AI and multiplayer movements in real time. This includes more dynamic tracking modes, refined camera logic, and smoother transitions when switching viewpoints.
Another major update will be its integration with FlightControlReplay. This will allow users to enjoy synchronized recordings, blending real-time spotting with replay capabilities for the first time. Imagine being able to watch airport activity live, then rewind or re-experience it from different angles without losing any detail — this is exactly what we’re aiming for.
We are also working on an enhanced UI that is more intuitive and easier to navigate, especially for users who want quick access to their favourite positions. To complement this, a tablet companion app is in development. It will let users store, manage, and recall custom camera presets with a single tap, making the spotting workflow smoother and more immersive than ever.
Starting with version V1.2, FlightControlSpotter will also introduce a brand-new feature: Spot by Point of Interest. Users will be able to instantly jump to a worldwide selection of iconic aviation viewpoints directly from the FlightControlSpotter panel, opening up new ways to explore airports, landmarks, and unique spotting locations around the globe.
And with MSFS 2024, spotting will go even further. The simulator will allow users to choose and save a custom spot view in first-person mode using the in-sim avatar. FlightControlSpotter will take full advantage of this capability, giving users the freedom to create and store realistic ground-level viewpoints exactly where they want — just like a real-world spotter moving around the airport environment.
Finally, in collaboration with Microsoft, starting from 15 January FlightControlSpotter landed on Microsoft MSFS Marketplace in-game for XBOX and PC! Thanks to code optimization I was able create FlightControlSpotter also for XBOX console and now is now available via Marketplace. Stay tuned for other news during 2026 and during FSWEEKEND 2026. I’ll be there with Simmarket, and I’ll show where my products aim to.
Future plans for FlightControlReplay?
FlightControlReplay is entering a new phase of development with the upcoming Autumn Update. One of the most challenging aspects of replay development is dealing with irregular simulator FPS, which can create inconsistent playback. We’ve been working on a new adaptive algorithm that learns from the user’s FPS curve and compensates for fluctuations automatically.
This means that even if your system momentarily drops frames or experiences instability, the replay will remain smooth and reliable. The system essentially predicts and adjusts timing dynamically to preserve accuracy and continuity. This represents a major leap in the quality of replays and will significantly improve the user experience for both casual simmers and professional creators.
The Autumn 2026 Update for FlightControlReplay V5, released mid November, is free for all existing customers, as part of my ongoing commitment to support the community and reward those who have trusted the product over the years.
This update also includes dedicated improvements for aircraft such as the Fenix and PMDG series, ensuring even greater compatibility and smoother replay behaviour for these highly advanced airliners. On top of that, a brand-new feature is being introduced: the ability to automatically start or stop recording at specific altitudes, fully configurable from the FCR Options panel. This gives users far more control and automation, making it easier to capture exactly the phases of flight they want without manual intervention.
And I truly can’t wait to share more about the exciting developments planned for FlightControlReplay throughout 2026 — there’s a lot coming that I believe the community will really enjoy.
View on the flight sim industry and growth opportunities? Is there any opportunities for you to grow your business beyond “camera” type add-ons?
The flight simulation industry is growing at a pace we haven’t seen in years. Several technological trends are shaping a new era: Virtual Reality is becoming more accessible, Artificial Intelligence is enabling smarter tools and automated workflows, and hardware costs are steadily decreasing. This combination makes the hobby more approachable for newcomers while giving experts more advanced features to enjoy.
Another important factor is the demographic shift. More young users are entering flight simulation, discovering aviation through games, social media, and online creators. This fresh audience brings energy, creativity, and new expectations for software and hardware.
From a business perspective, subscription-based models with small monthly fees could unlock new revenue streams for developers. They can help newcomers try advanced tools without committing to a higher upfront cost, and they can ensure continuous development for complex add-ons. The flight sim market is heading toward a more open, accessible, and diversified ecosystem.
For the second question, yes, I identified different areas where I can enter. Not only on Replay and Camera Spot (even if it remains my priority), but also new add-ons that could be useful for Flight School or FlightSim centres, not directly related to camera and replay. I also have a completely new add-on in the pipeline that could redefine how people pilot their own plane. I don’t want to share more on this topic, but apart from my lineup, I’m working behind the scenes on new add-ons.
Any future updates for FCR Embedded in MSFS 2024?
There are definitely many user requests and ideas being discussed for FCR Embedded within MSFS 2024. However, this part of the project is managed by Microsoft, me, and Asobo. Because of that, I cannot comment on future updates or planned features. All I can say is that feedback is being collected carefully and the interest from the community is strong. There are plenty of features that people want and often ask me for — such as an Always-On Instant Replay, exporting replay files to the standalone FCR app, and many other ideas. But we need to talk with Jorg and Asobo.
Are you excited about MSFS 2024 on PlayStation?
Absolutely — it’s a huge milestone. Having MSFS 2024 available on PlayStation means that flight simulation is reaching a much wider and more diverse audience. Millions of console users who may have never tried a simulator before will suddenly have access to one of the most advanced aviation platforms ever created.
This will naturally increase demand for tools that are powerful yet easy to use, encouraging developers to innovate and rethink how features are delivered. I believe it will open the door to a new generation of sim users, content creators, and aviation enthusiasts. And talking about FlightControlReplay (Embedded and V5) and FlightControlSpotter, MSFS on PlayStation 5 is wonderful from this point of view… stay tuned.
Anything else to add?
I want to express my sincere thanks to the community and all partners who support my work. Every feature I design, every tool I improve, comes directly from listening to users — their passion and their feedback are at the heart of everything I create.
I encourage everyone to keep sharing ideas, expectations, and creative suggestions. Flight simulation is a journey we’re building together, and the future looks incredibly exciting, not only for FlightControlReplay and FlightControlSpotter, but also for other products. And as I always say… stay tuned.
