Last October, the FAA announced a major advance in the field of aviation: learning to pilot powered-lift aircraft. This new category, which includes vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air taxis, marks a milestone for the agency, which had not introduced a new classification in decades. Although commercial powered models aren’t expected until next year, flight simulation enthusiasts don’t need to wait much longer for the experience.

A new flight experience with MSFS2024

The recently launched Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS2024) features a series of new aircraft, including electric VTOL air taxis, personal flying vehicles and hybrid electric airliners. Among the models available, we find:

• The air taxi Volocity from Volocopter, present since 2021.
• THE S4 by Joby Aviation.
• THE Midnight from Archer Aviation.
• THE Jetson One by Jetson.
• THE ES-30 from Heart Aerospace.

Players can fly these models through thousands of airfields, with over 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 helipads and 2,000 carefully designed points of interest. Thanks to billions of buildings and trees generated by software, the immersion is total.

Simplified orders for everyone

VTOL designs, like the S4, Midnight or Jetson One, feature simplified controls, making it easy for all players to take the controls. For example, Joby Aviation compared the flight systems of its air taxi to those of a Lockheed Martin F-35B. Heart’s ES-30, a hybrid-electric regional airliner, also uses fly-by-wire flight controls. In contrast, the Jetson One, which bypasses FAA pilot certification requirements, is flown with a pair of joysticks.

Joby worked with the MSFS team for several years to faithfully reproduce the controls, dimensions and flight physics of the S4. Digital models of other aircraft, such as the Jetson One, were developed in partnership with Microsoft. JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, said: “We can’t wait to see where people choose to take off and land with our aircraft, using its flexibility to explore cities and communities in a new way.” »

An immersive career mode

MSFS2024 also features a new game mode titled career systemwhich simulates a pilot’s journey from getting their wings to mastering the air. Players can start their adventure from any airport around the world and unlock varied missions, such as:

• Search and rescue.
• Aerial firefighting.
• Skydiving.

This mode also introduces a flight planning tool, allowing players to view pre-flight checklists, plan and save routes, as well as choose from a range of missions. It even simulates aircraft ownership and maintenance, making the experience even more realistic.

With this latest version, Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting closer to a real world that could soon include powered-lift planes. Although the first VTOL models are still about a year away from takeoff, in the world of video games, the future already looks exciting.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover these aeronautical innovations and fly the planes of tomorrow today in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.