Today third-party developer Parallel 42 provided some release details about the Microsoft Flight Simulator version of its popular camera utility ChasePlane.
According to the announcement, the tool will be released only for members of the developer’s Club 42 on March 14, 2025. Club 42 membership is automatic for anyone who spends over $42 on Parallel 42’s website.
According to the developer, this limited release is to “stress-test community features and backup infrastructures, gather initial feedback, and address any issues before a full-scale global launch.”
Said “full-scale global launch” does not have a date just yet.
We also learn the pricing, which will be $30 including cloud backup and community features (which were originally part of a subscription, but that plan has been scrapped).
The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 version of ChasePlane will be developed “at a reasonable pace” and will be provided to those who purchased the MSFS 2020 version at no additional cost. No specific timelines have been provided.
If you’re unfamiliar with ChasePlane, it’s an extensive and highly customizable camera system that enables charming cinematic views and has been available for older simulators for quite some time.
Until now, its implementation in Microsoft Flight Simulator has been impossible because the camera controls were inaccessible to third-party developers, with fans and Parallel 42 itself requesting very vocally for this to be addressed.
Below you can see what it can do and read a list of features.
- Custom Views: Create and save unlimited custom views inside and outside the cockpit, allowing you to explore every angle of your virtual world or aircraft.
- Cinematics Mode: Activate Cinematics™ mode with a single click and enjoy the show, effortlessly generating stunning visuals while cruising.
- FlyBy Mode: Experience your aircraft in motion from a ground perspective, adding a new dimension to your flight simulation.
- Tower Cam View: Simulate air traffic control perspectives with fixed tower views, enhancing realism.
- Physics-Based Camera Motion: Experience a new level of realism with physics-based camera motion that dynamically responds to the aircraft’s environment, not by altering the flight model but by embracing it.
- Community Integration: Import views from a global community of users or shared by your favorite content creators, making it easy to find the perfect views for your aircraft.
- Cloud Backups: Your settings, groups, and views are always safe with our cloud system, ensuring you never lose your personalized configurations.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is currently available for PC and Xbox Series X|S. It’s still used by many, albeit Microsoft is currently focusing on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. If you want to see some of the differences you can enjoy our video and screenshot comparison.