You can check out all the news below.
Microsoft Launches Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Technical Alpha
Today Microsoft launched the previously announced technical alpha of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
According to the official announcement, the test, which will have multiple waves of invites, will end on Monday, October 14, at 12:00 AM PDT (0700 UTC). Below you can read what to expect.
TECHNICAL Alpha Notes
- All text is in English, and other languages are not available.
- Online multiplayer is not available.
- Game modes are limited to Discovery, Career, Challenges, and Free Flight.
- Career mode is limited to initial missions and the Flightseeing specialization.
- Challenges mode is limited to one option at a time.
- The Marketplace and Activities (tutorials, training, etc.) are not available.
- Aircraft are limited to a few options.
- The aircraft configurator is not available.
- Achievements are disabled.
- VR is not available.
We are also aware of the below known issues:
- You may encounter obvious crashes, bugs, and issues.
- Loading times may be significantly longer than expected, in particular on initial boot. While a progress bar is sometimes not shown, the sim will continue to load—please be patient.
- When completing different activities in succession (for example, completing a Challenge, then launching a Free Flight), you may lose controller input.
- Workaround: Restart the sim.
- Peripheral default mappings are missing (in most cases). Gamepad and mouse/keyboard will function by default. Most other peripherals must be mapped using custom settings.
Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport Announced for Microsoft Flight Simulator
Pilot Experience Sim, known for its rendition of Biarritz Airport, announced that it’s shooting much higher with its next project, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (LFPG), serving France’s capital.
No further details have been provided, but it’s nice to know that someone is taking care of this important airport.
F-15EX Eagle II for Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets First Screenshots
DC Design revealed the first screenshots of its F-15EX Eagle II, which will be included in the F-15 Eagles add-on that is already available.
We also hear more in detail about what we can expect.
“The F-15EX Eagle II has been in development for a little while, but in line with my new practices I kept it secret until they were nearly ready to launch. The Eagle update comes with many visual enhancements, but the main thing for users to be prepared for is that Fly-By-Wire is now only on the EX model – the others have been returned to normal flight controls as per the real aircraft. The EX also has an enhanced flight model designed to emulate the very high-alpha performance of the real aircraft, which although heavier than the legacy Eagles, is more capable in close-air-combat.
Further additions include the extra wing hard-points, and of course the full glass-screen cockpit. The glass screen is not as complex as the real jet, for obvious reasons, but it is still highly functional and dynamic and does not affect performance in the slightest, as it’s both fully MSFS native and also created with console performance in mind.
For those who purchased the F-15 Eagles from the Marketplace, the EX is awaiting its Microsoft “LOC” file and so cannot be published there yet. As soon as they send the file, I will add it to the package there too, but for now the Marketplace Eagles update will contain only the visual enhancements to the C/D/E/ I versions. Hopefully the wait will not be too long for you all. For third-party stores, I expect to launch the update with the EX included within the next two weeks or so.”
F/A-18 Super Hornet Precision Audio Pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator Released
Popular sound designer Echo 19 released a new audio pack for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. It’s now available on Orbx Direct for $10.12.
It includes the following features.
- Engine sounds recorded from real Super Hornets with high-end equipment (from startup to shutdown)
- New high-quality APU Sounds
- Realistic “Betty” Callouts and Alerts!
- New cockpit sounds (avionics cooling system, battery, and more!)
- New air turbulence sound effects (hear and feel the Gs!)
- New “cutting edge” flyby effects – you’ll feel like you’re at an airshow!
- Multiplayer Compatible – other Super Hornets will have the same raw power as the Single Player versions.*
- Freeware Addons Compatible – popular F/G freeware models are supported!
- Two new liveries! A “fictional” VFA-106 CAG paint, and our own “Demonstration Unit” paint by artist Rhys
North Weald Airfield for Microsoft Flight Simulator Released
Burning Blue Designs released North Weald Airfield (EGSX) in the UK. It’s currently available on Orbx Direct for $18.87.
It includes the following features:
- Over 200 custom 3D objects each with full Physical Based Rendering (PBR) textures.
- Accurate runways, taxiways, and custom taxi signs.
- Night lighting includes accurate runway, taxiway, EHAA apron, and NPAS hangar lighting.
- Detailed hangar interiors, offering 2 open hangars to start your flight from, each with animated
- hangar doors that close at night (open manually with Taxi Lights):
- Dynamic Air Ambulance static model, which is only visible Monday – Friday, allowing you to
- use the EHAA Helipad at weekends.
- Completely custom windsock and dynamic animated flags
- Animated spectators
- Real-life static aircraft (3x) Douglas C-47 Skytrain (“Aces High”, “Drag em oot” and “Pegasus”)
- Real-life static aircraft Douglas C-54 Skymaster (“Atlantic Division”)
- Real-life static aircraft Cessna 172N (North Weald Aviation: G-NWFC, G-NWFS and G-NWFT)
- Real-life static aircraft Cessna A150 (G-LALA)
- Real-life static aircraft Piper PA-28 Warrior (Academy Aviation: G-CMFJ)
- Real-life static aircraft Eurocopter EC 135T2 (NPAS: G-POLD)
- Real-life static aircraft Agusta-Westland AW-169 (EHAA: G-HHEM)
- Real-life static aircraft de Havilland Tiger Moth (Aero Legends)
- Real-life static aircraft Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IXT (Aero Legends: “Elizabeth”)
- Full dynamic weather compatibility
- Enhanced high-resolution color-corrected ground textures
- Modeled POI Church Langley Water Tower (3NM North of EGSX)
If you’d like to get into flight simulation but you’re perhaps a bit intimidated by its apparent complexity, you can read our introductory guide, alongside the second episode focusing on installing add-ons, and another showcasing the basic instruments.
You can also read more flight simulation news in the previous roundup article.