We are just over a month away from the November 19 release date for Microsoft Flight Simulator and I’m getting pretty excited about the new sim. One of the things that I’m most excited about is, of course, the aircraft and the new sim is packing quite a list of new types to check out and explore. Many of these have been done by third party developers with care and attention that we didn’t have with the original slate of aircraft. Far from “default” types, these appear to be packing a ton of features and I’m beyond excited to spend time with all of them. Five, however, have really jumped to the top of my list when it comes to types that I absolutely want to fly when the sim first arrives. Here’s my list!
Number 5: Cirrus SF50 by FlightFX
I was all set on purchasing the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet by FlightFX when the news came that it was going to be included in MSFS 2024. I’ve heard rave reviews about the small jet since its release and I think it’s going to be a fun cross country option with just enough speed to cover a lot of ground while not being all that restricted when it comes to landing at smaller airports. The quality levels on this product are reportedly high and the work that the team has done to add MSFS 2024 features will no doubt help boost the experience even further.
Number 4: Zlin Savage Norden by GotFriends
For some reason the Zlin Savage Norden has jumped out at me. Everyone knows about the beast that is the Draco X, another GotFriends product included in the sim, but the lesser known option looks like it might be for me. This ultra modern bush plane is the latest from Zlin and it’s going to be a terrific amount of fun to check out MSFS new terrain features which should make bush plane flying even more fun.
Number 3: Dornier Seastar
Quirky seaplane? Yes please! The Dornier Seastar is not an aircraft that has (yet) met with commercial success but I’m very excited to see this airplane on the MSFS aircraft list. With the pusher/puller engine mounted high over the wing, sleek nose and big cockpit windows, the Seastar looks fun and with the apparently improved water handling I’m very interested in checking this one out. Maybe I’ll end up hating it but right now I think it looks fun!
Number 2: Saab 340B by Carenado
When I saw that Carenado are bringing their Saab 340B to the line I got pretty excited about that one. It will undoubtedly look excellent but Carenado have also done a pretty good rendition of the airplane for X-Plane 11 previously and so if they manage to hit the same mark they did there, this should be fun flying into some out of the way airports. I already have some Canadian and Scottish routes planned and I’m sure I’ll discover more!
Number 1: C-17 by Miltech Simulations
I was already excited about the A400M but the C-17 has a ton of appeal too! This large, four engine, military transport aircraft has some impressive performance specifications and its nature means potentially flying into and out of some fascinating places in the world that I may not think to take other aircraft into. While MSFS 2024 is not a combat flight sim, flying this large military transport around doesn’t need combat to still offer some hair raising experiences and C-17 pilots often fly low level tactical flying in addition to high altitude cruising. I’m excited!
Runners up
There were so many aircraft that I considered putting on this list and so I thought I’d include some of my runners up too. Starting with Asobo’s 737 MAX 8 which I am fascinated by. Asobo report this to be their most complicated aircraft they’ve ever done and they will be going up against some heady competition with PMDG’s 737NG line and iFly’s 737 MAX 8.
Another airplane on my runners up list is the ES-30. I’d actually read about this aircraft a few times over the years but now its confirmed for MSFS 2024. This is a 30 seat regional airliner (I love those) with hybrid electric propulsion using both batteries and conventional turbo prop engines. The aircraft has attracted serious attention and/or orders from Logan Air, Air Canada, SAS, Iceland Air, and others. It’s a prototype but as far as MSFS fun is concerned… I think it’s going to be cool!
One more runner up… the Airship Skyship 600! I have no idea how this experience is going to pan out but between the Skyship and the hot air balloon I’m really excited to see these make their way into MSFS. It’ll be a far different experience than what you get flying other aircraft and chasing new experiences in simulation like this should be fun.
How about you?
MSFS 2024 comes with a gargantuan list of aircraft so I’m curious to know what your top five list is. Which ones are you going to check out first? Or will you be sticking with tried and tested favourites? Let me know in the comments!
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