Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is getting another major update soon, with Sim Update 6 planned for a July or August release window. The update will bring several useful changes, including improved night lighting at airports, new turbulence warnings, downdraft airflow visualization, better Career mode filtering, developer tools for helicopters, and the return of Bush Trips from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.
Microsoft has not confirmed the exact release date yet, but the update is now close enough that the company has shared its main features. Sim Update 6 is part of a busy 2026 roadmap for Flight Simulator 2024, which already includes City Update 15 and more content planned for the rest of the year.
City Update 15 is already available for free through the in game marketplace. It adds new locations in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin, including Chicago, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee. Sim Update 6 will follow later with more system level improvements rather than only new scenery.
Bush Trips are returning for free
One of the biggest additions in Sim Update 6 is the return of Bush Trips. Microsoft is bringing all 59 Bush Trips from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 into Flight Simulator 2024, and they will be available for free.
Bush Trips are guided routes that let players explore scenic locations across multiple flight legs. They became a popular feature in the previous game because they gave players a more structured way to enjoy exploration without turning every session into a full flight plan.
In Flight Simulator 2024, these trips will also integrate with the Electronic Flight Bag and benefit from the newer ground detail in the updated sim. That should make older routes feel more modern while keeping the same exploration focused appeal.
Airport night lighting is getting a major upgrade
Sim Update 6 will also improve airport lighting, especially for night flying. Microsoft is adding automatic apron lighting to 2,236 airports and fixing missing runway lights at 452 airports.
The developers have created different light pole types with different properties, which will be applied depending on the airport. This should make more airports usable and believable during night operations.
The lighting improvements also expand Career mode. With more airports receiving runway lights, players will have more options for night missions. The game will offer both lit and unlit mission choices, giving players more variety depending on the aircraft and route.
| Feature | What Sim Update 6 adds |
|---|---|
| Bush Trips | 59 trips from Flight Simulator 2020, free for players |
| Airport lighting | Apron lighting at 2,236 airports and runway light fixes at 452 airports |
| Turbulence warnings | Visual warning showing intensity and cause |
| Downdraft visualization | Shows airflow from clouds, terrain, and wind shear |
| Helicopter tools | New debug options for third party developers |
| Career mode filters | Better aircraft filtering for compatible missions |
Weather feedback should become easier to understand
Microsoft is adding visual turbulence warnings in Sim Update 6. This is useful because turbulence is harder to judge in a simulator than in a real aircraft, unless the player has an expensive motion setup.
The new warning will show both intensity and cause. It should help players understand what is happening when the aircraft is being affected by turbulent air. It will also help Microsoft gather better feedback, because players will be able to send screenshots with the turbulence readout.
The update will also add downdraft airflow visualization. This includes cool downdrafts from clouds and weather, wind moving down mountain slopes, and vertical wind shear. These tools should help players and developers better understand how air is behaving around the aircraft.
Helicopter developers are getting better debug tools
Sim Update 6 also includes several tools aimed mainly at developers who make helicopters for the sim. These include assistance debug tools, rotor blade polar debug tools, and options for debugging vortex ring state and phase lag.
Regular players may not interact with these tools directly, but they could still benefit over time. Better developer tools can lead to better tuned helicopters, improved physics, and more enjoyable third party aircraft.
The assistance tools will include visualizations for cyclic assistance, tail rotor assistance, and collective assistance. These are designed to help developers make helicopters easier to tune and more manageable for players.
Career mode will support more aircraft choices
Career mode is also getting a new filtering layer. The goal is to let players fly more aircraft in compatible missions while making it easier to filter by aircraft.
That should reduce frustration when players want to use a specific aircraft but cannot quickly tell which missions support it. It also gives Career mode more flexibility, which has been one of the areas Microsoft has continued to refine since launch.
More Flight Simulator updates are coming before and after Sim Update 6
Before Sim Update 6 arrives, Microsoft will release Sim Update 5.1, which adds marketplace gifting. Players will be able to gift marketplace content whether they already own it or not, as long as the purchase is made in USD, GBP, or euros.
Aircraft and Avionics Update 5 is also planned around the same release period as Sim Update 6, and it will include the classic Boeing 707. Microsoft says Aircraft and Avionics Updates will be separated from Sim Updates going forward and will release in the following weeks instead of being bundled directly.
World Update 22 is also planned for July 4, bringing American National Parks and Monuments into the spotlight. With City Update 15 already live and Sim Update 7 planned for October, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has a packed schedule for the rest of 2026.
Discussion (0)
Be the first to comment.