Microsoft Flight Simulator Sim Update 5 has arrived for PC, Xbox and PlayStation users. It comes with a gargantuan list of updates across the sim although the expected Aircraft & Avionics Update (A&AU) is slightly delayed until next week. Let’s check out the update!

Career mode, core updates, PS VR2, more!

As has been typical with Sim Updates for Microsoft Flight Simulator over the years, SU5 for MSFS 2024 comes with a tremendously long changelog covering core features of the sim as well as specific updates to everything from avionics, scenery, aircraft, and we’ve seen some bigger changes to career mode as well.

Notably, all career modes are now unlocked (some were previously unavailable) and a “quality of life” (their quotes, not mine) update has also been applied. Heavy Cargo and VTOL content has been unlocked, all Heavy aircraft specializations have been unlocked too. Smarter dispatching, new ATC queuing system, more reliable ground services, and mission spawning adjustments are all intended to make the carer mode more playable.

I’ve spent months telling people to generally avoid career mode because of the significant list of issues with it. Hopefully SU5 is a serious turning point for a feature that many simmers were wanting to see.

Core updates are always a key piece of these updates and here we’ve got new Avidyne IFD540/550 avionics, weather radar now has tilt functionality, frame rates has been improved while stuttering has been reduced, and AMD Radeon RX 9xxx series cards have had several visual glitches at night resolved.

PlayStation users specifically now get the opportunity to try PS VR2 with the launch as well. That includes a VR specific HUD and Tooltips display. Marketplace for PlayStation has been largely empty but some aircraft, including FlightFX’s P.180, HJet, and Citation X are now available for sale.

Read the full change log here!

A&AU coming next week

Indicated to be coming with Sim Update 5, Microsoft has slightly delayed the A&AU update until next week. Little information is available except the statement posted to their forums.

We are excited to announce that our Aircraft and Avionics 04 Update will release on May 5th, which includes the highly versatile Antonov An-2, our Expert Series 01 ATR 42-600/72-600, the classic Fokker F.VII, the beautiful French Latécoère 631, and the Savoia-Marchetti S.55/S.55X. Existing owners of these aircraft will receive this upgrade for free in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

I have personally been excited to return to some of these aircraft in the update. I, and the rest of you, will have to wait until next week but I suspect the wait will be worth it. Stay tuned!