Core Gameplay

Core Gameplay Guide for Microsoft Flight Simulator

This guide breaks down the core gameplay of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 edition) into progression tiers. Unlike traditional games, there is no combat or linear storyline. The "game" is about mastering flight through increasingly complex aircraft, real-world navigation, and dynamic weather. Your progression is measured by pilot skill, aircraft unlocked, and the challenges you complete.

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Main Gameplay Loop

The core loop is: Plan → Pre-flight → Fly → Navigate → Land → Review & Improve. You select a departure and destination, prepare the aircraft (checklists, fuel, flight plan), fly using real procedures, navigate via instruments or visuals, land safely, then review your flight performance (e.g., landing smoothness, fuel efficiency). The loop repeats with higher difficulty, longer routes, or more complex aircraft.

Interaction Systems

• Cockpit Interaction: Use mouse, keyboard, controller, or hotas to press buttons, flip switches, and turn knobs. The G1000 glass cockpit and steam gauges are fully clickable.


• ATC (Air Traffic Control): Communicate via text or voice (in-game system or VATSIM for online). Follow instructions for takeoff, route, and landing.


• Live Weather & Time: Real-time weather (from METAR data) and time-of-day affect your flight. You can pause or change these.


• Assists: Sliders for AI auto-pilot, auto-rudder, visual aids, etc. Beginners start with many assists.




Progression (Early to Endgame)



Progression is not linear but skill-based. The game tracks your flights, landings, and completions of activities. You earn experience and unlock new activities and aircraft as you demonstrate proficiency.

#### Early Game (First 10–20 hours)

Goal: Learn basic flight controls, takeoff, and landing. Gain confidence with small aircraft.


• Activities:

- Flight Training: Interactive lessons covering Cessna 152 basics (straight-and-level, turns, climbs, descents, stalls, landing). Complete all 24 lessons to unlock the "Bronze" rating.
- Landing Challenges: Short, arcade-style scenarios where you must land a specific aircraft (e.g., Cessna 152 at Lukla). Focus on flare and touchdown speed.
- Bush Trips: Pre-defined VFR routes using landmarks. First one: "France: Côte d'Azur" (Cessna 152, 8 legs, 30-60 min each).

• Aircraft Available: Cessna 152, Cessna 172, Savage Cub, Icon A5. All are default unlocked with low complexity.


• Progress Indicators:

- You unlock "Checkride" challenges after completing all landing challenges of an airport.
- You earn your first pilot "rating" (Private Pilot) after 5 flights with no assists.

• Example: You take a 20-minute flight from Seattle's Boeing Field (KBFI) to Renton (KRNT). Use visual landmarks (Lake Washington, I-5) and track your progress on the VFR map. Land on Runway 16 with a gentle crosswind.


#### Mid Game (20–100 hours)

Goal: Master instrument flight (IFR), navigate airways, and fly in adverse weather. Start using glass cockpits.


• Activities:

- IFR Training: Advanced lessons on instrument approaches (ILS, VOR, GPS).
- Flight Journal Missions: Narrative-driven “stories” like “The Madness of King George” (VFR in Grand Canyon) or “Dangerous Approaches” (IFR into KSEA with low visibility).
- Quick Challenges: Categories like "Emergencies" (engine fire, oil leak) where you react using checklists.
- Discovery Flights: You set your own route with live weather. Aim to fly a realistic 1-hour IFR route (e.g., KLAX to KSFO using airway J1).

• Aircraft Unlocked: Mooney M20 (complex single), TBM 930 (turboprop with G3000 touchscreen), Cirrus SR22 (glass cockpit, parachute). Unlock by completing specific challenges or earning points.


• Economy: You earn “flight points” for every landing (more points for smoothness, no assists). Points can be used in the marketplace to purchase aircraft (in-game credits, not real money). The default aircraft cost between 0–5,000 credits; advanced aircraft like the Airbus A320neo cost 15,000 credits. You earn ~500 credits per successful long flight.


• Progress Indicators:

- Complete all 5 IFR lessons to unlock "Instrument Rating".
- Unlock "Gold" badge on landing challenges for three different aircraft.

• Example: Fly a TBM 930 from KLAX to KSEA (2.5 hours). Set up a flight plan in the World Map, use the G3000 to follow the magenta line. Encounter live thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada; use weather radar to deviate. Perform an ILS approach to Runway 16R at KSEA with a steady 10 knot crosswind. Touchdown within 200 feet of the touchdown zone. Review your landing score (B-).


#### Late Game (100–300 hours)

Goal: Master modern airliners (airbus A320, Boeing 747) with full systems management, online flying (VATSIM), and complex procedures.


• Activities:

- VATSIM: Join the online network for real ATC and pilots. Fly a scheduled route from EGLL to KLAX with full IFR clearance.
- Build Your Own Missions: Use the "Flight Planner" to create custom challenges with specific aircraft, weather, and time limits.
- Achievement Completion: Many achievements require 100 successful landings, flying through canyons, or landing on carrier decks (F/A-18X).
- Endurance Flights: Real-time flights across oceans (e.g., KJFK to EGLL in the Airbus A320neo – 7 hours).

• Aircraft Unlocked: Airbus A320neo, Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, Cessna Citation CJ4, F/A-18X (free update). Unlock via in-game store using credits earned.


• Economy: At this stage you likely have enough credits for all aircraft. The F/A-18X costs 20,000 credits. You can also buy paints and liveries.


• Character/Build Growth: This is metaphorical. Your "build" is your ability: you can transition to third-party aircraft (e.g., Fenix A320, PMDG 737) which have simulated failures and advanced systems.


• Progress Indicators:

- Earn "Air Transport Pilot" rating after 50 flights with airliners.
- Complete the "World Tour" challenge (fly to all 5 continents in sequence).

• Example: Fly the A320neo from Paris CDG to JFK. Program the MCDU (flight management computer) with the route, manage fuel, follow SIDs/STARs. On approach into JFK, fly an RNAV approach to Runway 13L. Hand-fly the last 500 feet and land smoothly with auto-brake at 2. Touchdown score: A. Then do a turnaround and fly back to CDG.


#### Endgame (300+ hours)

Goal: Realism and community engagement. No new content from the game, but limitless possibilities via add-ons, custom missions, and online communities.


• Activities:

- Airline Operations: Join a virtual airline (e.g., Delta Virtual, British Airways VA). They provide flight assignments, tracking, and even ranks. Follow real-world schedules.
- Third-Party Add-ons: Purchase high-fidelity aircraft (e.g., PMDG 737, iniBuilds A310) and scenery packs. These add complex systems like failures, ground services, and detailed airports.
- User-Created Missions: Download from Flightsim.to: emergency scenarios, banner towing, search and rescue.
- Competitive Challenges: The official "World Update" challenges (e.g., landing at Courchevel with a King Air). Compete for high scores on leaderboards.

• Economy: Real money can be spent on marketplace add-ons (aircraft, scenery, liveries). There is no in-game economy beyond that; credits are irrelevant.


• Character/Build Growth: You become a virtual pilot capable of flying any aircraft under any conditions. You may specialize in airliners, bush flying, or helicopters (with free or paid add-ons).


• Progression: No official endgame; you set your own goals: complete all achievements (hard), become a VATSIM controller, create a live stream series.


• Example: Fly a PMDG 737 on a 2-hour route from KORD to KATO (City/Regional) as part of a virtual airline. You use the real weather, file a flight plan with VATSIM ATC, depart from its gate with pushback, and land with a Category II approach in fog. After landing, you log into the virtual airline's website and record the flight hours.

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Summary Table: Progression Tiers

This guide covers the structure of Microsoft Flight Simulator's gameplay, which is as deep and rewarding as you make it. Whether you fly a simple Cessna for sightseeing or a complex airliner across the Atlantic, the core loop remains the same: fly safely, navigate accurately, land gracefully.