MSFS Weekly Briefing: Sim Update 6 Progresses as the A220 Prepares for Marketplace Arrival

Microsoft Flight Simulator's latest weekly briefing brings encouraging news for pilots awaiting Sim Update 6, along with a firm Marketplace window for one of the community's most anticipated new airliners.




Sim Update 6 Testing Continues



The development team remains focused on Sim Update 6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. A new public beta build-version 1.8.8.0-was released last week for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.




Pilots participating in the beta are being encouraged to continue submitting detailed bug reports and completing the team's feedback surveys. That community input will help developers identify remaining trouble spots before the update is released to everyone.




Microsoft has not announced a final release date for Sim Update 6, but the continued beta activity suggests testing and refinement remain very much underway.




Synaptic Simulations and iniBuilds A220 Coming Next Week



The biggest aircraft news in this week's briefing is the upcoming Marketplace release of the Synaptic Simulations and iniBuilds A220.




The highly anticipated modern narrow-body airliner is scheduled to arrive in the in-sim Marketplace next week. The developers have also released a detailed video showcasing the aircraft and its features ahead of launch.




The A220 has attracted considerable attention within the flight simulation community. Its combination of modern avionics, efficiency, and versatility should make it well suited for everything from shorter regional sectors to longer domestic and international routes.




Community Fly-In Heads to Ecuador



The Microsoft Flight Simulator Community Fly-In returns to South America this week for a scenic journey across Ecuador.




The flight begins with a northwesterly trip toward Manta on the Pacific coast, where participants will complete a touch-and-go. From there, the group will turn northeast and climb into the Andes Mountains before arriving in Quito, Ecuador's capital.




The event takes place July 24 at 1800 UTC and is open to pilots of all experience levels.




Oshkosh and Farnborough Offer Weekly Flight Inspiration



With two major aviation events taking place this week, Microsoft is encouraging virtual pilots to plan their own flights to the action.




EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is underway at Wittman Regional Airport in Wisconsin, while the Farnborough International Airshow is taking place at Farnborough Airport in the United Kingdom.




Whether you prefer arriving in a general aviation aircraft at KOSH or flying something a little larger into the London area before continuing to EGLF, both events provide plenty of inspiration for the weekend's flying.




A Little Anime-Inspired Aviation



This week's featured community video highlights the freeware Fanracer from Delmonte_Simulation. The unusual aerobatic aircraft was inspired by a futuristic design featured in the 1982 Japanese animated series Super Dimension Fortress Macross.




It may not be the most conventional aircraft in your virtual hangar, but it certainly offers something different for pilots who enjoy experimental and science-fiction-inspired flying.




This week's screenshot challenge also carries an appropriate theme: Airshows.




Between continued Sim Update 6 testing, the approaching A220 release, community flying in Ecuador, and two of the world's biggest aviation gatherings, Microsoft Flight Simulator pilots have no shortage of reasons to take to the virtual skies.



via: https://news.skyblueradio.com/2026/07/24/msfs-weekly-briefing-sim-update-6-progresses-as-the-a220-prepares-for-marketplace-arrival/