Microsoft brings helicopters, gliders and the Spruce Goose to its flight simulator
Microsoft is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the venerable Flight Simulator series today with the release of the aptly named Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Update. As the company previously announced, this sim update will introduce helicopters and gliders, as well as some classic planes. Gliders and helicopters aren't new to Flight Simulator, but when Microsoft and Asobo resurrected the simulation in 2020, they were still absent from the game.
In total, the update includes 12 new aircraft (two helicopters, two gliders, and eight fixed-wing aircraft). The highlights here are what Microsoft and Asobo call their first "realistic" airliner in the base game - an Airbus 310-300 - and the Spruce Goose, the largest seaplane and wooden plane ever built. Other new aircraft include classics like the 1903 Wright Flyer, 1915 Curtiss JN-4 Jenny, 1927 Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, 1935 Douglas DC-3, Grumman G-21 Goose from 1937 and the 1947 Havilland DHC-2. Beaver.
Image credits: Microsoft
To celebrate the launch, Microsoft and simulation developer Asobo Studio invited a small group of flight simulation and tech media influencers to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Why? This is where the Spruce Goose is on display, so what better place to celebrate the launch of this update (and the Spruce Goose just celebrated its 75th anniversary in flight on November 2).
During the event, I had some hands-on time with the new planes. Just like in real life, flying helicopters is going to be tough - challenging enough that Microsoft has added several new assistive settings that make the experience easier. Without these – and especially if you're playing on a gamepad, for example – you're going to crash. Many times. Once you get the hang of it, flying these helicopters (a large Bell and the small two-seat Guimbal Cabri G2 trainer) is a lot of fun and allows you to fly slow and low over Microsoft's impressive virtual model of Earth. /p>
Microsoft is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the venerable Flight Simulator series today with the release of the aptly named Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Update. As the company previously announced, this sim update will introduce helicopters and gliders, as well as some classic planes. Gliders and helicopters aren't new to Flight Simulator, but when Microsoft and Asobo resurrected the simulation in 2020, they were still absent from the game.
In total, the update includes 12 new aircraft (two helicopters, two gliders, and eight fixed-wing aircraft). The highlights here are what Microsoft and Asobo call their first "realistic" airliner in the base game - an Airbus 310-300 - and the Spruce Goose, the largest seaplane and wooden plane ever built. Other new aircraft include classics like the 1903 Wright Flyer, 1915 Curtiss JN-4 Jenny, 1927 Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, 1935 Douglas DC-3, Grumman G-21 Goose from 1937 and the 1947 Havilland DHC-2. Beaver.
Image credits: Microsoft
To celebrate the launch, Microsoft and simulation developer Asobo Studio invited a small group of flight simulation and tech media influencers to the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. Why? This is where the Spruce Goose is on display, so what better place to celebrate the launch of this update (and the Spruce Goose just celebrated its 75th anniversary in flight on November 2).
During the event, I had some hands-on time with the new planes. Just like in real life, flying helicopters is going to be tough - challenging enough that Microsoft has added several new assistive settings that make the experience easier. Without these – and especially if you're playing on a gamepad, for example – you're going to crash. Many times. Once you get the hang of it, flying these helicopters (a large Bell and the small two-seat Guimbal Cabri G2 trainer) is a lot of fun and allows you to fly slow and low over Microsoft's impressive virtual model of Earth. /p>
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