As a real-world private pilot, I was eager to try Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) and see if it lived up to its reputation of being “as real as it gets.” With all the hype surrounding its advancements in technology, I had high hopes for an immersive and accurate simulation experience.
Unfortunately, after spending a considerable amount of time exploring the sim, I’m left underwhelmed by its many shortcomings. While it has some strengths, MSFS still feels far removed from reality in many critical areas. Here’s why.
No Action, No Purpose, No Engagement
Let’s start with the basics. MSFS isn’t just a flight simulator—it’s marketed as a game. Yet, from a gamer’s perspective, it’s utterly lifeless.
There are no meaningful objectives, no engaging storylines, and no sense of purpose beyond the act of flying or navigating itself.
Planning a flight from Sydney to London might sound exciting, but sitting through hours of autopilot while staring at a direction line is hardly fun or engaging gameplay.
If the goal was to create an experience that mimics the monotony of long-haul airline flying, then MSFS has succeeded. However, for anyone looking for something more dynamic or interactive, it falls flat on it’s nose.
Aircraft Dynamics: A Mixed Bag
As a private pilot, one of the first things I noticed was how off the mark the aircraft dynamics are, especially for the out of the box aircraft
Take the iconic Cessna 172 as an example. In the real world, this aircraft climbs at a standard rate of 500 to 700 feet per minute at 70 to 75 knots under standard conditions.
In MSFS, the same aircraft climbs at an unrealistic 800 to 900 feet per minute at 80 to 82 knots even with a full fuel load. This might not seem like a big deal to casual players, but to anyone with real-world flying experience, it’s a glaring issue.
The same applies to the Cessna 150/152. Not only are the climb rates incorrect, but the handling is overly twitchy and unbalanced, There’s absolutely no smoothness. To be honest, Microsoft’s previous sim, FSX handled much better in terms of physical control.
Even after adjusting control sensitivity and null zones, the aircraft still feels like it’s on the edge of instability. These issues make flying feel more like a chore than a pleasure and detract from the immersive experience that a flight simulator should provide.
While payware and third-party aircraft are more accurate, it’s disappointing that the base game’s default planes don’t meet the same standard of realism. If MSFS wants to claim it’s “as real as it gets,” this should apply to all aircraft, not just the ones that cost extra.
Scenery: Pretty, but Far from Real
One of MSFS’s major selling points is its stunning, detailed scenery. The world in MSFS is indeed vast, and the ability to fly over familiar landmarks and cities is a neat feature.
However, upon closer inspection, the visuals don’t hold up to their lofty promises. Buildings, houses, and infrastructure look more like generic blocks than realistic representations of the real world.
Where are the details that bring a scene to life? Swimming pools, parks, swings, fences, and other small but important features are nowhere to be found.
Instead, we’re left with a world that looks impressive from 30,000 feet but disappointingly artificial when viewed up close. For a simulator that claims to replicate the real world, the lack of attention to detail is a let-down.
Additionally, the sensation of speed over the ground during takeoff and landing often feels completely off, creating a strange disconnect for pilots and simmers.
During the landing role, the aircraft appears to crawl along the runway when viewed from the cockpit, despite hurtling along at hundreds of kilometers per hour.
Buggy Performance and Technical Issues
MSFS and Flight Simulator 2024 is riddled with bugs and performance issues. From random crashes to stuttering framerates, these problems make it hard to enjoy the game consistently.
Even on high-end hardware, the experience can be frustratingly inconsistent. For a product that’s been on the market for years, these issues should have been ironed out by now.
A Missed Opportunity for Realism
One of my biggest disappointments with MSFS is how much it misses the mark in achieving true realism. Real-world flying is about more than just the aircraft and scenery—it’s about the experience.
Where is the interaction with ATC that feels dynamic and human? Why do ground services feel like robotic animations instead of part of a living airport environment? Not to mention, when it comes to ATC instructions much if it gets it totally wrong.
Even the weather system, which is touted as a highlight of MSFS, is far from perfect. While it does a decent job of replicating real-world conditions, it often fails to capture the subtle nuances of how weather interacts with aircraft.
Turbulence, wind shear, and other critical factors feel underwhelming, inconsistent and over simulated. The effects are much to abrupt, corrections often result in over corrections.
Better Alternatives for Serious Sim Enthusiasts
If you’re training to become an airline pilot or enjoy practicing real-world procedures, MSFS can be a useful tool. But for anyone looking for a more engaging or action-packed simulation experience, other options are far superior.
DCS World, for example, offers incredible realism combined with thrilling gameplay and meaningful objectives. Unlike MSFS, DCS doesn’t feel like a glorified waiting game.
Final Thoughts: A Work in Progress
Microsoft Flight Simulator has made significant strides in making flight simulation more accessible and visually appealing. However, as a private pilot, I can’t overlook its many flaws.
The aircraft dynamics are inconsistent, the scenery lacks “true realism”, and the overall experience feels hollow and repetitive.
Until MSFS addresses these issues, I can’t fully endorse it as “as real as it gets.” It’s a decent tool for casual flying, basic flight training, such as memory items and exploring a story book looking world from the air, but for serious pilots or gamers, it still has a long way to go.
