The next world update for Microsoft Flight Simulator is out. World Update IX: Italy and Malta has arrived to the sim along with a minor update to the core of MSFS. Let’s have a look and see what’s new.
Travel the skies over Italy
The tried and tested package from the folks at Asobo and Microsoft is on display here with about a dozen cities receiving detailed photogrammetry including Turin, Napoli, and Venice. There are four custom airports that have received the hand crafted touch. 100 others have been given some upgrades. Over 100 points of interest have been created and there are new Bush Trips, Landing Challenges, and Discovery Flights.
Here’s what the update had to say about the World Update.
Fly throughout the historic cities of Rome and Venice, soar above Mediterranean coastlines, and navigate throughout sheer-faced peaks, all rendered in lifelike realism with World Update IX. The Microsoft Flight Simulator team has refined this area with the latest geospatial data available, including digital elevation modeling, aerial and satellite imagery, and triangulated irregular network (TIN) modeling of 20 cities, including Rome, Naples, Venice, and Milan. Gaya Simulations handcrafted four airports: Palermo Airport (LICJ) in Sicily, Sondrio Airport (LILO) in the southern Tyrol, Marina di Campo Airport (LIRJ) on Elba Island, and Bolanzo Airport (LIPB) in the southern Tyrol, and Orbx Simulation Systems enhanced the detail of 100 others. Gaya Simulations created 94 points of interest in Italy and 11 in Malta for World Update IX, and Perfect Flight built nine activities to grant users a wide range of immersive experiences: three bush trips, three discovery flights, and three landing challenges.
The update is accompanied by a beautiful trailer. I’ve never wanted to go to Italy more than right now thanks to this beautiful showcase of the country’s scenery. Check out the official announcement here and get your downloads started.
Marketplace sale
An Italian themed sale is underway in the MSFS Marketplace. Microsoft reports that the sale, starting today, will go for 7 days offering up to 45% off on the following pieces of content:
- C-22J Ventura (Mario Noriega Designs)
- Fiat-Aeritalia G-91 (Sim Skunk Works)
- LICB Comiso Airport (Beautiful Model of the World)
- LICC Catania-Fontanarossa Airport (Beautiful Model of the World)
- LICJ Palermo Airport (AmSim)
- LICR Reggio Calabria Airport (Tailstrike)
- LIDT Airport Trento-Mattarello (RCStudio)
- LIEO Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (Orbx)
- LIIQ Alfina Airfield (DeimoS Inc.)
- LIMC Milan Malpensa Airport DeimoS Inc.)
- LIME Bergamo Orio Al Serio Airport (Bredok3D)
- LIME Orio Al Serio Airport (Tailstrike)
- LIMJ Genoa International Airport (Beautiful Model of the World)
- LIML Milan Linate Airport (JetStream Designs)
- LIPB Bolzano Airport (Beautiful Model of the World)
- LIPK Forli Airport (Mscenery)
- LIPV Venezia Lido Airport (Stairport)
- LIPX Verona Villafranca Airport (Salvuz)
- LIPZ Venice Marco Polo International Airport (Beautiful Model of the World)
- LIQL Luca-Tassignano Airport (RCStudio)
- LIRA Rome-Ciampino International Deimos Inc.)
- LIRQ Florence Airport (Gaya Simulations)
- LIRU Rome Urbe International Airport (Beautiful Model of the World)
- LMML Malta International Airport (JustSim)
- MB-339 (IndiaFoxtEcho)
- Milan Night Enahced (DreamScenery)
- Rome Landmarks (Prealsoft)
- Rome Night Enhanced (DreamScenery)
Stormbirds 
Wouldn’t it be cool if schools used MSFS as a geography / history / current events teaching tool?
Just drone camera around, and so much of what’s taught in school is right there in front of your eyes!
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That’s a solid idea. I use MSFS as a geography tool all the time.
Was listening to a podcast with Randall Carlson talking about the great flood that swept across the northwest US 10,000 years ago, and then I was able to fly over the spots he talked about and all the markers of the flood were there to see and explore. It’s great fun.
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Agreed! I think this is a great tool for that. I’ve flown over areas and learned quite a bit about them thanks to the imagery and the ability to interact with the area in 3D space – its been great for me to feel like I’ve been to places and have been able to study the geography as a result.
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