Jorg from Microsoft Flight Simulator took to the stage at Flight Sim Expo 2026 to discuss the MSFS platform. Sim Update 5.1 is the most stable the simulator has ever been since the inception of the MSFS 2020.
Thanks to a partnership with Vexcel, who provided high quality cameras, Microsoft Flight Simulator’s National Parks update bring more US National Parks up to the standard of the Grand Canyon. Part of the National Parks update includes bespoke Jackson Hole Airport scenery from Gaya Simulations, since it’s the only airport located inside of a US National Park.
A new base aircraft, the Goodyear Blimp, will be coming to MSFS 2024 on July 4th, 2026 thanks to iniBuilds.
In the fall of 2026, the MSFS Air Races will relaunch as a free update. The Air Races include updated high-quality scenery and a refreshed focus on realism, engine management, and flight dynamics.
City Update 15
City Update 15 will cover updates to Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin in the USA in line with the country’s 250th anniversary. Jorg showed a preview video of the updated scenery showcasing a variety of large cities and small towns including Chicago, St. Paul, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.
New Expert Series Airplane: Piper M600 by FSReborn
Jorg brought Raul from FSReborn on stage to cover the newest expert series airplane: the Piper M600. The high-performance single engine turboprop features a full G3000 suite with reversionary mode, LIDO charts support, more than 100 simulated circuits, auto throttle, a bespoke engine simulation, custom fuel temperature simulation, and custom pressurization simulation.
The M600 also has a working emergency autoland alongside a variety of failure modes. The FSReborn M600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now available as of the publishing of this article.
Sim Update 6: The Future
A new down draft visualization will be coming to MSFS allowing pilots to better see when airflow goes downwards e.g. off of mountains.
New tools for helicopter developers allow fine tuning of flight model characteristics for more realistic behavior. This includes assistance tuning, rotor airflow visualization, and ring state visualization.
A new phase lag tool helps developers see the effects of cyclic controls, phase lag, and assymetry of lift.
Pilots will be able to receive visual warnings for varying degrees of turbulence in an effort to help the developers get better feedback on the turbulence simulation model.
Night Lighting is getting a revamp in Sim Update 6. Apron lighting has been automatically added to 2,236 airports covering M,L, XL, and XXL Airports. A variety of different light poles at different intensity options help create more authentic night time environments.
Career Mode will receive significant updates in Sim Update 6. Runway lighting information will be provided to all airports, helping players make more informed mission choices. An improved mission filtering system will help pilots find the mission types they want as more and more aircraft become career-mode compatible.
All 59 bush trips will be updated for MSFS 2024 and available for free.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace Updates
New tools and sorting options are coming to the MSFS Marketplace. Importantly, daily releases are available now for both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 to address users’ concerns with the frequency of updates.
Inflated user review scores have been identified and removed while the MSFS team continues to monitor the Marketplace to ensure review authenticity.
Upcoming changes to the Marketplace include improvements to gamepad navigation, additional PS5 content, as well as continued updates and curation of hero and recommended rows.
Gifting is coming with Sim Update 5.1. It will be available as an option on an item’s product page allowing users to gift products to friends on the platform provided the recipient does not already own the title.
AAU5 and The New Famous Flyer
AAU5 will include several upgraded aircraft including the Bell 47J, Boeing 707, Boeing 307, Curtis C-46 Commando, and the Ford A4-T Trimotor.
The Boeing 707-320C will be the next aircraft in the Famous Flyer series. It’s been rebuilt by Working Title and iniBuilds in response to customer feedback. The 707 will be a fully MSFS 2024 native aircraft.
The -320C is a combi (flexible passenger and cargo) variant of the 707. It features options for the GNS530, CIV-A INS, or UNS-1 FMS navigators. All of them will be available as separate avionics units for other developers to incorporate.
A companion app built into the default EFB will help pilots streamline the process of entering data into the INS, calculate performance, calculate power targets, and configure a host of user options. A Virtual Flight Engineer will assist pilots in managing the engineer’s panel and flows. To further alleviate pilot workload, a period-correct autopilot will be included.
Water injection, an option on the -320C, will be modelled, which will offer the opportunity to generate greater thrust, especially for hot-and-high departures.
The 707-320C is due alongside AAU5 sometime between July and August of 2026.
Release Roadmap
To close off the presentation, Microsoft showed a timeline of forthcoming updates to the platform. SU5.1 could be out in the next few weeks, but may be delayed. This will also impact the Sim Update 6 process.
The next Aircraft and Avionics Update is due sometime in July, while the hotly anticipated Working Title Embraer 600 Praetor is due in November of 2026.
For more information, click here to head over to the Microsoft Flight Simulator Website.
