I'm a recent convert to SH from flight sims, on which I have spent lots of time. It's a similar problem though...for instance, on release of them game will there be 10 planes modeled averagely to get a decent picture of flying different types of machines, or just one or two done really well to give the realism that proper nerds like me enjoy
Flight simulators (well, MS ones anyway) tend to go for a bunch of planes with a bit of realism. Then after market developers and modders bring out unbelievably accurately modeled aircraft down to every last visual, technical and sound detail. In general because of the work involved it is professional developers (See PMG and Captain Sim for ridiculously accurate jumbo jets and hercules aircraft) that bring out these and they are commercially successful.
Just my random 2 cents thrown in from another angle.
Are there commercial ad-ons for SH?