What’s it like to fly the KwikFlight Striker?

The KwikFlight Striker appeared in the MSFS 2024 marketplace with a reputation that didn’t inspire confidence. With a rating hovering around 2.9 out of 5 from early reviewers — and only 2 out of 5 in the last 30 days — it’s the kind of add‑on many simmers might avoid. But I wanted to know whether that reputation was deserved.

So I rented it! One of MSFS 2024’s new features is the ability to rent aircraft, and for AUD $14.95, I had 24 hours to find out whether the Striker was misunderstood or genuinely flawed. That rental price feels steep compared to other aircraft, but curiosity won out.

If you know your attack helicopters, you’ll recognise the Striker immediately. It’s the AH‑1Z Viper in everything but name: the twin‑engine, four‑bladed descendant of the Huey and Cobra families. There’s a moderate selection of liveries, and the exterior model is genuinely impressive. Up close, the level of detail is extraordinary. Materials, textures, drains, pylons, the hingeless rotor system — everything is crafted with care and precision. Just zoom in to the tail rotor assembly to see what I mean!

Inside, the cockpit continues that high standard. Weathered textures, convincing materials, and a faithful layout give the Striker a strong sense of presence. It feels like a real machine that has lived a life.

But then the first usability issue appears. The aircraft spawns with covers attached, yet you cannot walk around, open the canopy, or remove anything. Shift‑C character control is disabled, and there’s no documentation to explain the intended workflow. You start trapped inside the cockpit, and the only way out is to use an external camera. It’s an odd and frustrating limitation for a native MSFS 2024 aircraft.

Hovering is manageable, but the first pedal turn reveals something unusual. A 90‑degree pedal input snaps the helicopter around and then stops it instantly, almost like a small drone. Turning off stability assists doesn’t change the behaviour. The anti‑torque response feels abrupt and artificial.

Torque values are equally puzzling. Seeing 18–23 percent torque during normal manoeuvring doesn’t align with what I imagine a twin‑engine attack helicopter should be producing. It raises questions about the accuracy and usability of the torque gauge.

Once in forward flight, the Striker accelerates easily. The audio, provided by Echo 19, is excellent: clean stereo recordings, convincing airflow, and satisfying airframe rattles. But the flight model continues to feel off. The helicopter cruises at 125–150 knots with little effort, but the speed tape is difficult to read, and the machine requires constant right pedal to avoid crabbing. The balance ball never looks quite right.

Turning is reluctant and inconsistent. A simple 180‑degree turn demands full pedal input and feels unnatural. It’s as if the helicopter doesn’t want to turn unless forced.

The Striker includes an Automatic Flight Control System, but without documentation, it becomes guesswork. At times, altitude hold appears to engage using radar altitude, but the behaviour is loose and unpredictable. It’s difficult to know what the system is doing or how it’s intended to be used.

This is where the lack of a manual becomes a real barrier. Without guidance, you’re left clicking buttons and hoping to interpret the results.

After I posted my video review, YouTube viewer ‘Mark’ shared this helpful experience:

Returning to land, the Striker continues to feel like a hybrid between a helicopter and a drone. Pedals are required to steer rather than simply coordinate, and the helicopter resists descent until AFCS modes are disabled.

But despite the quirks, the cockpit atmosphere is superb. The canopy, the visibility, the textures — it all feels alive. It’s wrapped around a flight model that doesn’t quite match the visual fidelity, but the artistry is undeniable.

If you love the Cobra or Viper lineage, enjoy flying with assists, and value visuals and sound above realism, you may still find enjoyment here. But for simmers seeking a deep, authentic helicopter experience, the Striker currently feels like a beautifully crafted shell wrapped around a simplified flight model.

I appreciate the ability to rent aircraft in MSFS 2024, and I hope the pricing and documentation improve over time. For now, the Striker is a mixed experience: visually stunning, aurally impressive, but held back by usability issues and an inconsistent flight model.

If this review helps you decide whether the Striker is right for you, I’m glad. And if you enjoy this kind of helicopter content, I hope you’ll join me again for more MSFS 2024 adventures.

Pimax has loaned me a Micro-OLED optical engine to use with the Crystal Super headset. I’ll be showing you how that swaps with the existing QLED 50ppd engine, and what Micro-OLED is like for demanding helicopter flying. I can’t wait to see how well it delivers vibrant colours and true blacks.

I’m grateful to Discord member ‘WhisperDark’ for sharing this promising news about the latest MSFS 2024 SU5 beta build:

That’s going to be a huge improvement for our livestreamed group flights! Let’s hope it means there will be no more 737s spawning in place of helicopters not yet in your collection.

Follow these links for the latest, best deals from Pimax. Use the code LETSFLY for a 2% discount!

And, if you’re upgrading from any VR headset, you can show proof of purchase and apply for a bigger discount on Crystal Light and Crystal Super QLED.