diff --git a/src/GUI/qml/AircraftList.qml b/src/GUI/qml/AircraftList.qml
index 516ab8fa1..62a729a66 100644
--- a/src/GUI/qml/AircraftList.qml
+++ b/src/GUI/qml/AircraftList.qml
@@ -17,8 +17,16 @@ FocusScope
         }
     }
 
+    state: "installed"
+
     Component.onCompleted: {
         _launcher.browseAircraftModel.loadRatingsSettings();
+
+        // if the user has favourites defined, default to that tab
+        if (_launcher.favouriteAircraftModel.count > 0) {
+            root.state = "favourites"
+            root.updateSelectionFromLauncher();
+        }
     }
 
     Rectangle
@@ -188,8 +196,6 @@ FocusScope
         visible: (root.state == "updates") && (_launcher.aircraftWithUpdatesModel.count == 0)
     }
 
-    state: "installed"
-
     states: [
         State {
             name: "installed"