Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 5 Now Available

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has received a fresh round of polish with Sim Update 5, bringing the sim to version 1.7.27.0. The update is now available and includes a wide spread of improvements across stability, performance, aircraft systems, Career Mode, VR, Marketplace behavior, and general quality-of-life fixes.




For pilots who like their changelogs served with less turbulence, the headline items are clear: PSVR2 support is now available on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, Heavy and Oversized certifications have arrived in Career Mode, and VTOL certification is now unlocked. Microsoft has also added Avidyne IFD540 and IFD550 sim attachments for aircraft developers, a sim-rate indicator under the minimap, new aircraft comparison details in the side panel, and more walkaround/HUD options.




Performance Gets Some Hangar Time



Sim Update 5 includes a hearty helping of under-the-cowling optimization. Microsoft says the update improves memory and performance for building generation, particle effects, NPC aircraft, cockpit code, the texture system, boat and bridge systems, and forested areas. The update also fixes a number of crash causes, including issues tied to engine autopilot behavior, memory corruption, XML gauges, FSR Frame Generation on NVIDIA cards, and boot crashes involving Frame Generation and smart docking systems.




In plain English: this update is aimed at making the sim a little less "coffee-stained flight plan" and a little more smooth climb-out.




Flight Model and Aircraft Improvements



The featured flight model changes focus on storm updrafts and helicopter ground effect, both of which should matter to pilots who enjoy weather-heavy flying or rotorcraft operations. The aircraft section also includes improvements to wake turbulence simulation, including helicopter self-induced feedback, better turbulence visualization, improved CFD simulation on building edges, and fixes for propeller visuals, flap-system crashes, force feedback, trim-axis behavior on several aircraft, and more.




Avionics also get attention, with Garmin G1000 NXi, G3000/G5000, G3X Touch, Primus Epic 2.0, and Pro Line 21 fixes. These include heliport map improvements, VNAV logic refinements, waypoint and nearest-page fixes, TAWS/GPWS corrections, and FMC stability improvements.




Career Mode Keeps Growing



Career Mode continues to mature in Sim Update 5. Alongside the new Heavy, Oversized, and VTOL certification availability, the update improves hold-short validation, mission cruise altitude selection, aircraft dependency messaging, mission filters, and parking/hold-short logic. Several mission types also receive fixes, including medevac, search and rescue, firefighting, cargo, VIP charter, skydiving, and certifications.




Microsoft also notes changes to reduce night missions at airports without lights, which should be welcome news to anyone who has ever stared into a black rectangle of runway-shaped uncertainty and whispered, "well, probably fine."




VR Gets a Big Pass



Virtual Reality receives a particularly large list of improvements. Beyond PSVR2 support for PlayStation platforms, Sim Update 5 fixes VR binding displays, frame generation settings, cockpit tooltips, popup visuals, gamepad cockpit interaction in VR, panel behavior, world scale persistence, controller input issues, cloud/fog lighting, EFB sizing, F18 HMD behavior, and more. The update also adds PlayStation 5 VR graphics settings and stores VR panel positions separately from non-VR layouts.




For headset flyers, this is one of those updates where the changelog reads less like a patch note and more like a maintenance crew has been crawling through the headset with a flashlight and a very determined clipboard.




Marketplace, Accessibility, and General Fixes



The Marketplace gets fixes for Steam purchases when the overlay is disabled and for a crash that could occur after launching a search. Accessibility improvements include better UI readability and the removal of the "Assisted Yoke" assistance option, which Microsoft says had limited inputs too much without notifying users clearly.




General bug fixes touch everything from missing city and town POI markers to live traffic altitude errors, HDR display issues on PS5, marketplace notifications, weather-panel behavior, camera controls, WASM DLC aircraft on Xbox, AI aircraft altitude stability, and more.




Important Note for PC Users



Microsoft reminds PC users that outdated packages in the Community Folder may affect performance or behavior. If you experience stability issues or long loading times after installing Sim Update 5, the team recommends moving Community Folder packages elsewhere before relaunching the sim.




Sim Update 5 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available now. Full release notes are available from the official Microsoft Flight Simulator website.



via: https://news.skyblueradio.com/2026/04/30/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-sim-update-5-now-available/