If you’re a veteran Flight Simulator user, we have news for you! Flight Simulator X is not only the tenth version of the franchise, it’s by far the most significant update in our almost 25 year history.

In addition to new aircraft and scenery, Flight Simulator has some improvements that affect features you may already be familiar with. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant changes.

Free Flight

All of the flight conditions that you used to set on the Create a Flight screen are now on the Free Flight screen. Why? Because now there are Missions, too!

Missions

Flight Simulator X includes Missions—fun and challenging structured experiences for users at all skill levels. Learn the basics in tutorial missions, then fly rescue missions, scenic flights, realistic airline routes, and more. Successful missions earn you rewards.

Pilot Records

Rewards you’ve earned for completing missions are all kept in your Pilot Records. You’ll even earn rewards for reaching certain milestones in Free Flight. You can keep detailed records of your flights in your Logbook, and save pictures of your adventures in your Photo Album to share with friends. To snap a screenshot in flight, just press V at any time.

The Living World

The Flight Simulator world appears more real and alive than ever. Moving traffic on roads, boats on the water, airport vehicles, moving jetways, skies full of aircraft, a world with birds and animals—it all makes for a far more immersive experience.

Shared Skies

Flight Simulator’s multiplayer feature has been completely overhauled. Now it’s easier than ever to create or join small sessions over the Internet or a local area network (LAN).

With better synchronization of what each player in a session sees, and the ability to share your aircraft with someone else, it’s a totally new experience that opens the door to all sorts of things: online instruction, pilot/co-pilot scenarios, even experiences we haven’t thought of!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like on the other side of the control tower windows? In Flight Simulator X (Deluxe only) you can take on the role of a ground, tower, or approach controller in a multiplayer session. You can provide air traffic control services to other players via voice while using realistic radar and other tools.

Glass Cockpit (Deluxe Only)

The Garmin G1000 glass cockpit display in selected Flight Simulator X aircraft is representative of the latest in aviation technology. See what all the excitement is about! With a wealth of information presented on two big LCD screens, the G1000 will truly transform the way you fly.

Controllers

In addition to using a joystick and a keyboard, you can now fly using an Xbox 360 for Windows controller or the mouse. Many virtual pilots actually prefer this over a traditional joystick, especially when flying using exterior views.

Mouse Look

You can now use the mouse to quickly and easily look around in the 3-D virtual cockpit. Just press and hold the SPACE BAR and move the mouse. Rotate the mouse wheel to zoom in and out.

Views

The camera system has been significantly enhanced in Flight Simulator X, with more views than ever before. To make it easy to find them all, they’ve been organized into categories. Press S to select a view category, and press A to select a view within the current category.

Soaring

Flight Simulator has a new glider: the DG808S Competition Sailplane. Get aloft in the sailplane by calling a tow plane (press CTRL+SHIFT+Y to call it, then SHIFT+Y to release the rope). Fly in thermals on a hot day over a desert in Free Flight, or try a soaring mission to experience ridge lift.

Settings

The Settings dialog box has been reorganized for easier use. You can make quick changes to display settings using sliders, or customize the settings for graphics, aircraft, scenery, weather, and traffic.