Microsoft Flight Simulator Helicopters Coming In November

A major new Microsoft Flight Simulator update is coming this November to celebrate the franchise's 40th anniversary (!), and it's adding helicopters for the first time in the series' history.


Published: August 25, 2022 10:58 AM /

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One of the new Microsoft Flight Simulator helicopters hovering over the water in the upcoming update

Planes are all well and good, but have you ever wished you had some Microsoft Flight Simulator helicopters to fly instead? Well, the upcoming 40th anniversary update has you covered, as it's adding those very vehicles, as well as new airports, missions, and more.

So this big update will include Microsoft Flight Simulator helicopters?

That's right. For the first time in series history, the upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th anniversary update will bring helicopters into the mix, as well as gliders. These features are apparently two of the most frequently-requested community additions, so Flight Sim fans are likely to be happy with this development. Previous updates have overhauled country geography and significantly improved the install efficiency of the game, but the 40th anniversary update is promising to be one of the biggest yet.

As well as helicopters and gliders, you're also getting a "true-to-life airliner" in the form of the Airbus A-310 (another highly-requested community feature), and as you'd expect from a game with this kind of attention to detail, "nearly every single button works as expected". I sure hope the ones that keep the aircraft airborne work, or else you're going to have a problem on your hands. You can check out a trailer showcasing some of the new features coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator in the 40th anniversary update right here.

Of course, it's not just these new vehicles you're getting. Seven historical aircraft are also coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator, representing some of the most exciting developments and moments in aviation history. Here they all are in their glory.

  • 1903 Wright Flyer
  • 1915 Curtiss JN-4 Jenny
  • 1927 Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis
  • 1935 Douglas DC-3
  • 1937 Grumman G-21 Goose
  • 1947 Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
  • 1947 Hughes H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose)

Four classic airports are also on their way, including the iconic Chicago Meigs Field, which has appeared in several previous Microsoft Flight Simulator installments. The 40th anniversary update will also include new commercial airports and glider airports, new heliports (obviously, or else where would you land your helicopter), and 20 "classic missions from the franchise's past". If you're a Microsoft Flight Simulator fan, it sounds like there will be plenty to love in this update.

When is the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th anniversary update release date?

Happily, we know exactly when the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th anniversary update is coming. Microsoft has confirmed that all of these new features will be available at no extra cost for game owners and Game Pass players on November 11th, so make sure you're looking out for that. In addition, be sure to download the new German city update, which overhauls five German cities with new photogrammetry and makes them much more realistic. You'll notice the difference when you're flying over the cities of Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, and Hanover.

A glider flying over a new German city with updated photogrammetry in Microsoft Flight Simulator
The latest Microsoft Flight Simulator update overhauls five German cities with new realistic photogrammetry.

You can pick up Microsoft Flight Simulator right now on PC and Xbox Series X|S. If you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, the game is also available to you as part of your subscription, and it's available via Xbox Cloud Gaming if you're a Game Pass Ultimate member.

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