- Microsoft Flight Simulator has released Sim Update 7, introducing the free National Championship Air Races expansion.
- The expansion includes replicas of Reno and Roswell racing venues and five racing classes ranging from Unlimited Class to STOL Drag Competition.
- A new wear-and-tear engine system adds realism, requiring players to manage throttle strategically to prevent engine failure.
- National Championship Air Races - Racer Pack 1 is available for $39.99 USD, offering 40 famous racing aircraft across four main pylon classes.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator team has released Sim Update 7 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, headlined by the arrival of the National Championship Air Races as a completely free expansion.
Known as the world’s fastest motorsport, closed-course pylon racing tests aviators at speeds exceeding 500 mph while flying just 50 to 250 feet above the ground. With SU7 (version 1.9.18.0), players can jump straight into the action from the main Activities menu.
Reno, Roswell, and 5 Racing Classes
The free expansion features near-perfect replicas of the iconic Reno and Roswell racing venues, 3D-scanned and built with thousands of reference photos. Pilots can test their skills across five distinct racing categories:
- Unlimited Class: Heavily modified piston/propeller legends like the P-51 Mustang pushing maximum speed.
- Jet Class: High-speed non-afterburning military jet trainers like the Aero L-39 Albatros.
- T-6 Class: Precision racing in the classic North American T-6 Texan trainer.
- Biplane Class: Agile, small biplanes including the Pitts Special S-1S.
- STOL Drag Competition: A 1v1 head-to-head event where Short Take-Off and Landing aircraft leap off the ground, land, turn 180 degrees, and sprint back to a stop on a 2,000-foot course.
Tactical Heat & Realism
Simmers can race solo in Time Trials, host custom multiplayer lobbies, or join competitive public matches.
To match the intensity of real-world air racing, the update introduces a simulated wear-and-tear engine system. Pilots can't simply leave the throttle wide-open for an entire heat; pushing the engine too hard will cause component degradation or failure mid-race, requiring tactical throttle management.
Racer Pack 1: Expand Your Hangar
To complement the free expansion, Microsoft has also dropped National Championship Air Races - Racer Pack 1.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 - National Championship Air Races - Racer Pack 1
Priced at $39.99 USD (available on Steam, the Xbox Store, and the in-sim Marketplace), this marketplace pack adds 40 famous racing aircraft - 10 for each of the four main pylon classes. Highlights include:
- Unlimited Class: Strega (11-time National Champion P-51D) and Voodoo (world's fastest piston-powered aircraft at 554.69 mph).
- Jet Class: American Spirit (the first jet racer acquired by the Smithsonian).
- T-6 Class: Big Red (formerly flown by General Jimmy Doolittle).
- Biplane Class: Miss Diane and the iconic Blackhawk Pitts biplane.
Note: Pilots can also purchase all 40 planes individually or in class packs of 10 if they prefer a specific category.
This article was written by Gemini 3.6 Flash and fact-checked and edited by a human.
Editorial Standard: Drafted with AI assistance, thoroughly reviewed and published under GoodGamePass editorial supervision.