Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
The T-38 grew from Northrop's lightweight supersonic aircraft work. Tandem seats, a thin swept wing and two General Electric J85 engines formed the advanced trainer's layout. The prototype first flew in April 1959, and the T-38A entered US Air Force service in 1961.
Aircraft background
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read more ↗The T-38A package
The Talon also served NASA in training and support roles. Microsoft’s Famous Flyer 13 represents the T-38A, the principal early production model, rather than automatically including later T-38C cockpit upgrades.
Famous Flyer 13 — T-38A · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read more ↗Into the cockpit
YouTube Gung Ho Vids · 5 min ·
T-38 Talon Training Flight Cockpit Vid • USAF 2019
Cockpit footage from a USAF T-38 training flight in Arizona.
Real aircraft · Northrop T-38 Talon
Watch on YouTube ↗Preview images are served by AirframeDB. Videos open on YouTube only when you choose to watch.
Meet Northrop T-38 Talon
The T-38 grew from Northrop's lightweight supersonic aircraft work. Tandem seats, a thin swept wing and two General Electric J85 engines formed the advanced trainer's layout. The prototype first flew in April 1959, and the T-38A entered US Air Force service in 1961.
NASA also used the Talon for training and support. Microsoft's Famous Flyer 13 represents the early production T-38A, without the later T-38C cockpit upgrades.
Northrop T-38 Talon
Aircraft type designators
Use the code for the model you are flying. The linked authority lists the applicable aircraft.
History & design
A supersonic training fleet
Northrop produced nearly 1,200 Talons between 1961 and 1972. The aircraft introduced supersonic performance to a training fleet and remained a platform for successive generations of pilots.
Northrop Grumman · T-38 Talon programme overview ↗Aircraft-specific source account
Keeping an older design in service
Northrop describes replacement wings, structural work and design improvements as part of the Talon’s sustainment. Its longevity reflects substantial renewal rather than an unchanged 1960s airframe.
Northrop Grumman · T-38 Talon programme overview ↗Aircraft-specific source account
Systems & details
The training role is broader than speed
The Air Force describes aerobatic, formation, night, instrument and navigation training in the T-38C. Test-pilot schools and NASA also used Talons for specialised training and chase work.
Identify the propulsion modification
The USAF table distinguishes standard engines from the Propulsion Modernization Program installation. Its dry and afterburning thrust figures differ, so a single thrust value should not silently cover every simulator Talon.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2024Famous Flyer 13 — T-38A
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Famous Flyer 13 — T-38A
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Simulator documentation
The T-38A packageFamous Flyer 13 — T-38A · Microsoft Flight Simulator · MSFS 2024
The Talon also served NASA in training and support roles. Microsoft’s Famous Flyer 13 represents the T-38A, the principal early production model, rather than automatically including later T-38C cockpit upgrades.
Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Developer documentation
Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases Famous Flyer 13: The Northrop T-38A Talon - Microsoft Flight SimulatorMicrosoft Flight Simulator · Official developer / designated-store reference · checked 2026-09-14Type designator
ICAO Doc 8643 — aircraft type designatorsInternational Civil Aviation Organization · Public search data retrieved 2026-09-14; authority update 2026-09-03Aircraft reference
T-38 Talon fact sheetUS Air Force · USAF specification dated January 2014; historical configuration, not current fleet totals T-38 Talon programme overviewNorthrop Grumman · Manufacturer programme historyBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
Northrop T-38 Talon
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2024
Northrop T-38 Talon: The selected response supplies advanced-trainer stick resistance.
Northrop T-38 Talon
Northrop T-38 Talon: The selected response supplies advanced-trainer stick resistance.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Northrop T-38 Talon · MSFS 2024 · family starting point
Northrop T-38 Talon · Family sources identify only the variants and product versions described above.
The simulator model and controls
The T-38 grew from Northrop's lightweight supersonic aircraft work. Tandem seats, a thin swept wing and two General Electric J85 engines formed the advanced trainer's layout. The prototype first flew in April 1959, and the T-38A entered US Air Force service in 1961.
This starting point selects Northrop T-38 Talon. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
How this profile feels
The selected response supplies advanced-trainer stick resistance. Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Configured trim relief stays with the represented A-model cockpit. Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Controls and trim
The T-38’s tandem cockpit, thin swept wing and paired J85 engines serve supersonic training. The prototype first flew in April 1959, with T-38A service entry in 1961. The MSFS T-38A is separately named from later C-model avionics.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
What the documentation establishes
Microsoft release identifies T-38A Talon; it does not establish all T-38 variants.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThis starting point selects Northrop T-38 Talon. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Flight controls
Not yet reviewedThe T-38’s tandem cockpit, thin swept wing and paired J85 engines serve supersonic training. The prototype first flew in April 1959, with T-38A service entry in 1961. The MSFS T-38A is separately named from later C-model avionics.
Trim
Not yet reviewedConfigured trim relief stays with the represented A-model cockpit. Pitch authority 0.3 relieves permitted loading; hydraulic centre movement is off. Roll authority is 0.09.
Autopilot and stability
Not yet reviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
Not yet reviewedGear, flap and ground cues follow the selected settings and available simulator-reported states.
Speeds and limits
Not yet reviewedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets msfs2024. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
Not yet reviewedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe selected response supplies advanced-trainer stick resistance. The baseline spring is 0.8. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 90 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.25 with an indicated-speed reference of 300 KIAS. The hydraulic-load factor of 0.35 scales that modeled term; it is a selected artificial-feel approximation. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value300.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.65 and 0.65, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.8 | What it controls and whyThe selected response supplies advanced-trainer stick resistance. The baseline spring is 0.8. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 90 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.035 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.25 with an indicated-speed reference of 300 KIAS. The hydraulic-load factor of 0.35 scales that modeled term; it is a selected artificial-feel approximation. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value20 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value300.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0. No additional speed-driven stiffening is added; this does not disable independent aerodynamic loading. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.65 and 0.65, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value0.65 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyConfigured trim relief stays with the represented A-model cockpit. Pitch authority 0.3 relieves permitted loading; hydraulic centre movement is off. Roll authority is 0.09. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0.09 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0.14 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value2 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.9 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.4 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.32 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.9 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.12 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Powered/artificial feel needs a matched control-system source.
- Trim gearing/forces are not established by the release page.
- Follow is off; no servo-demand contract was established.
- Flap/airbrake/gear settings need a T-38A equipment schedule.
- No supersonic IAS/Mach force curve was established.
- Product release scope does not prove demand/surface signals.
- Simple Mach cues do not reproduce supersonic stability augmentation or measured inceptor forces.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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