Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 News

Two days ago, we began the public beta test for Sim Update 2, the next major update to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. This is one of -- if not the -- largest updates ever for MSFS and contains hundreds of bug fixes and other improvements. You can read the full release notes on our forums here. For anyone who would like to join the beta test, you can find instructions for all platforms (PC-MS Store, PC-Steam, and Xbox Series X|S) here.

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the beta so far for all your invaluable feedback. In particular, we are monitoring player reports of reduced stability in test build 1.4.7.0 very close. We have shared this feedback with the developers who are carefully analyzing telemetry data to determine the source of the crashes for resolution in a future beta build.

Finally, we are proud to announce that you will be able to experience Microsoft Flight Simulator at the upcoming SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo from April 1-6 in Lakeland, Florida! Hosted by FlyInside, explore 20+ sim stations showcasing the latest in simulation technology. Enjoy flight simulation, expert guidance, and the opportunity to experience gear from partners including MSI, Pimax, Virpil, Turtle Beach, Realsimgear, DOF Reality, Moza Racing, Thrustmaster, Next Level Racing, and Virtual Fly. You can find out more information here.

- MSFS Team

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Are you interested in joining the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 2 public beta test?

The Sim Update 02 Beta is now available on Steam, Windows PC, and Xbox. Click here to read the release notes and use the Sim Update 2 Beta Forums to report your feedback.

Please find instructions to join the Sim Update 02 Beta below. You must own Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (or have an appropriate Xbox Game Pass subscription) to participate on the platform of your choice.



Please remember if you decide to join the Beta and install the build, you will likely have to re-install your sim if you wish to leave the Beta before it ends. If you did not opt out of the last Beta, you will automatically stay in this Beta and receive the next build.

In addition, while in Multiplayer Mode, you will only see users who are in the same build as you.

Memory Logging in the Sim Update 2 Beta

Memory logging will be enabled in the first Sim Update 2 Beta build, which will cause a small decrease to performance (in particular during menu transitions). The telemetry we receive from this memory logging will aid our investigations into stability improvements. This memory logging will be removed from the Sim Update 2 Beta before release, or as soon as we have enough data.

On Xbox console, you can help ensure we receive your data by following the below instructions:

Navigate to Settings > System.
Now select Console info.
Check ‘Allow optional data collection’

Changes to Career/Challenge League in the Sim Update 2 Beta

Beginning with the Sim Update 2 Beta, Career and Challenge League will have separate progress and leaderboards from the live build.

This means Career mode progress in the live build will not carry over to the flighting build, and vice versa. In addition, Challenge League in the flighting build will have a separate leaderboard from the live build.

Making Career and Challenge League progress separate in the flighting build allows us to test additional changes and fixes that cannot be tested in the live build. All Career specializations will be unlocked by default in the flighting build to allow participants to preview changes that might not be available (based on Career mode progress) in the live build.


1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “flight_sim_2024_beta – Sim Update 2"

If you would like to exit the pre-release test before it ends and revert back to the live build, follow these instructions:
1. Open your Steam Library
2. Right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator
3. Click “Properties”
4. Click “Betas”
5. Select “None”

Thank you and we look forward to your feedback!

Click here to read the Sim Update 1 Beta Release Notes. You can join the SU1 Beta forums to report issues here.

MSFS Team

As announced during last Friday's Developer Livestream, the Sim Update 2 Public Beta Test will begin very shortly! During the broadcast, Martial mentioned that the beta could begin as early as today (March 20), but we need just a little bit more time to get it ready to release to volunteer testers from the community. As always, watch for news on our official forums or any of our social network accounts for the latest info on when the beta will begin and how you can enroll!

Following the launch of the in-sim Marketplace for MSFS 2024 last week, we're excited to bring the first batch of products from third-party developers to you this week! There are plenty more releases coming soon, so keep an eye out for your favorite third-party add-ons making their way to the MSFS 2024 Marketplace in the near future!

- MSFS Team

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Following hot on the heels of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 1 launching on March 6, we're pleased to follow it up with three big releases earlier this week!

• The MSFS 2024 In-Sim Marketplace
  
• World Update 19: Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana
  
• Local Legend 20: CAP-4 Paulistinha

The CAP-4 Paulistinha is the second of four aircraft that are offered FREE to all MSFS 2024 players to make good for the poor launch experience. The plane will be available to you automatically the next time you launch the sim. For MSFS 2020 pilots, you can purchase the CAP-4 from the in-sim Marketplace for the usual price of USD $14.99.

As previously announced last week, our next Developer Livestream is scheduled for tomorrow, March 14 at 9:30am PDT (1630 UTC) on our official Twitch channel. Tune in to see our regular panel and special guests respond to popular questions from the community and discuss information about upcoming future updates. Our regular Community Fly-In Friday group flight will follow on Twitch immediately after the Developer Livestream, so stick around and join hundreds of other simmers as we explore some beautiful Brazilian scenery from the recently-released WU19 together.

Last weekend, the MSFS Community Team had the opportunity to participate at an event at Springbank Airport near Calgary, Alberta, Canada organized by the graduating class of women enrolled in Mount Royal University's aviation program. This event, timed to coincide with International Women's Day, aimed to excite women and girls about pursuing a future career in the aviation field. Among the exhibitors were Air Canada, WestJet, the Canadian Forces, and many other organizations. The Microsoft Flight Simulator team was thrilled to be invited to participate and offer hands-on time with the sim to hundreds of event attendees!

In other flight sim community news, FSWeekend is taking place this Saturday and Sunday in Lelystad, Netherlands! We hope all the attendees and exhibitors have a wonderful time at this event and wish safe travels to everyone from the MSFS community attending!

- MSFS Team

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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 1 (1.3.23.0) is available now on all platforms! You can read the (very lengthy) release notes here. Sim Update 1 contains hundreds of bug fixes and improvements and is one of the largest updates released yet for either MSFS (2020) or MSFS 2024. Once again, we would like to thank everyone who participated in the public beta test for your feedback and bug reports. Your contributions were essential in helping our development team deliver the best possible Sim Update. But the work hasn't stopped! Development of Sim Update 2 is underway. Stay tuned for more information about how you can join the SU2 beta once it's available. This update will be even bigger than SU1!

While Sim Update 1 is out now, one of its biggest additions, the long-awaited in-sim Marketplace, is not quite ready. Our team is making some final tweaks to the Marketplace now, and we're excited to report that it will be launching soon.

Speaking of things launching soon, World Update 19: Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana is releasing next week on Tuesday, March 11! We know many flight sim fans, particularly those from Brazil, have been waiting very patiently for this World Update, and we hope you'll find it was worth the wait!

Also next week, we have planned maintenance for our official forums on Wednesday, March 12 starting at 11:30am Pacific Time (1930 UTC). While the maintenance is in progress, the forums will temporarily be unavailable.

Our next monthly Developer Livestream will be next Friday, March 14! Join our regular panel of Jorg, Seb, and Martial as they discuss Sim Update 1, World Update 19, and more! If you would like to submit a question to the panel in advance, you can do so by completing this web form. As always, we will be taking live questions from viewers from the chat, so be sure to follow our official Twitch channel so you can be notified when the stream goes live. Immediately following the Developer Livestream, we will begin our weekly Community Fly-In Friday event, so stick around and enjoy a beautiful group flight with many fellow simmers -- pilots on both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 and both PC and Xbox are welcome!

Last but not least, March 3-9 is Women of Aviation Week! The Microsoft Flight Simulator team salutes all the hard-working and capable women working around the world as pilots, air traffic controllers, dispatchers, mechanics, flight attendants, and every other aviation career! To mark this occasion, we will be participating in a Women in Aviation event at Springbank Airport (CYBW) near Calgary, Alberta, Canada hosted by Mount Royal University. If you're in the Calgary area on Saturday, March 8, stop by Springbank to meet some members of the Flight Sim team and learn more about various aviation careers. This is an all-ages, family friendly event designed to introduce and inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. Admission is free! Full event details are here.

- MSFS Team

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