SayIntentions has disabled the conversion of FSLTL models in Model Hopper, its tool for converting traffic model libraries from the MSFS format to the standard CSL format in X-Plane, after a dispute over licensing terms. The company announced the change in a post on its Discord server. It also said that every Model Hopper purchase will be refunded and that the tool is now free for everyone.
SayIntentions is best known for their AI-driven air traffic control add-on for flight simulators. FSLTL is a community project, run by volunteers, that provides AI traffic models for Microsoft Flight Simulator. According to SayIntentions, Model Hopper converts MSFS libraries a pilot already has on their own PC to the CSL format X-Plane uses. The company says the tool contains and distributes no FSLTL content, meaning that it is on the user to respect the terms of every library they decide to convert.
SayIntentions says FSLTL told their community that anyone converting their content to X-Plane is violating their published copyright and “taking advantage” of volunteer work. SayIntentions says FSLTL did not name it, but that Model Hopper is the product in question.
They say Model Hopper shipped to partners on October 7 after a review of the published terms of every library they could find, not finding any conflicts. They also pointed in their post to an archived copy of the FSLTL website from October 6, which does not mention the explicit ban on model conversion that now appears on the live site.
SayIntentions says they disabled FSLTL base model conversion “out of respect for a clearly stated wish”, while maintaining that they did nothing wrong. To answer accusations that they were trying to profit from others’ work, they are refunding all purchases and making Model Hopper free.
Model Hopper is now free, and earlier purchases are being refunded. The original price was not given in the post. SayIntentions has published a Model Hopper article that includes its licensing note, and a setup guide for X-Plane traffic.
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