Microsoft announces a major update for Flight Simulator

On the occasion of the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft is announcing a comprehensive anniversary update for Flight Simulator. The Redmond-based company is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the integration of helicopters, gliders, and a new aircraft – the Airbus A310. New heritage aircraft are also being worked on, and a partnership with the Halo franchise has already enabled amateur pilots to take off on the legendary D77-TC Pelican, as the new trailer shows.

Waiting times can be bridged with the Halo Pelican

Although Halo Infinite and Co.’s sci-fi plane. already integrated into the game, Flight Simulator players will have to wait until November for the rest of the anniversary update. Microsoft has good news for that: “The 40th Anniversary Edition is a free highlight for all existing Microsoft Flight Simulator users – whether they purchased the title or are playing through Xbox Game Pass.

This anniversary gift to the community is a tribute to the past, but also a step into the exciting future of aviation.” In addition, the Redmond company is revealing some details of the November update in advance. For example, helicopters are “brought to life” with a completely new fluid dynamics simulation and gliders have to get a new flying feeling. In collaboration with third-party developers such as iniSimulations, MilViz, Bluemesh, Airplane Heaven, and others, the developers are currently finalizing new models, with the following nine already confirmed. New historic aircraft:

• Wright Flyer
• Ryan NYP (“Spirit of St. Louis”)
• Douglas DC-3
• De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

New helicopters:

• Call 407
• Guimbal Cabri G2

Gliders:

• DG aircraft construction LG8-18
• DG aircraft construction DG1001E neo

The new realistic plane:

The free 40th Anniversary Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available in November 2022 on Windows PC and Xbox Series X|S, as well as Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. The flight simulation can also be streamed to smartphones, tablets and low-power PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming.