Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) designs such as Joby Aviation’s air taxi are now featured in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]
Key Takeaways:
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (MSFS2024) has been released, introducing a new category of powered-lift aircraft, including VTOL air taxis and personal flying vehicles, allowing players to experience future aviation designs ahead of real-world commercial availability.
The game features an improved physics engine for realistic simulation of specific models like Joby's S4 and Archer's Midnight, with some manufacturers collaborating on their digital counterparts.
MSFS2024 also adds a new "Career System" with missions such as search and rescue and aerial firefighting, along with flight planning, simulated aircraft ownership, and other new aircraft types like hot air balloons.
The FAA in October outlined how pilots will learn to fly powered-lift aircraft—the agency’s first new category in decades that covers vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air taxis and other futuristic designs. Commercial powered-lift models will not fly until next year, at the earliest.
But you no longer need to wait—or train—to experience them yourself.
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Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.
