With Sim Update 7, Microsoft Flight Simulator has received a free upgrade to the Game of the Year Edition. The game has been updated with new aircraft, handcrafted airports, new missions, early access to DirectX 12, updated weather, and more in patch version 1.21.13.0. According to the patch notes, this is one of the most significant updates to FS2020 yet, and it’s also free.
Game of the Year Edition – Release Notes (1.21.13.0) SIM UPDATE VII Now Available
In FS2020 Sim Update 7, five new aircraft are introduced:
- VoloCity
- Aviat Pitts Special S1S
- Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet
- CubCrafters NX Cub
- Pilatus PC-6 Porter
For the most part, the F/A-18 Super Hornet is the most anticipated aircraft in this patch. This is the game’s first official military jet, and flying it is a very different experience than flying the civilian aircraft that have so far made up the roster.
It was supposed to be released alongside the Top Gun: Maverick expansion, but that film was postponed. However, since the F/A-18 was completed, the developers decided to release it as a preview of the upcoming content.
The VoloCity is also worth mentioning. It’s the game’s first VTOL aircraft, and it gives us a glimpse of what flying helicopters will be like in FS2020 next year.
Sim Update 7 Airports
Sim Update 7 includes 8 new handcrafted airports:
- Allgäu Airport Memmingen (EDJA)
- Luzern-Beromunster Airport (LSZO)
- Kassel Airport (EDVK)
- Leipzig/Halle Airport (EDDP)
- Lugano Airport (LSZA)
- Marine Corps Air Station Miramar (KNKX)
- Patrick Space Force Base (KCOF)
- Zurich Airport (LSZH)
New Missions
Based on the success of the recently introduced Discovery Flights, we’re expanding this popular series to include six new destinations (Helsinki, Freiburg im Breisgau, Mecca, Monument Valley, Singapore, and Mount Cook).
New Photogrammetry Cities
Microsoft Flight Simulator is pleased to announce the addition of a number of new photogrammetry cities as part of their ongoing collaboration with Bing Maps: Helsinki (Finland), Freiburg in Germany (Germany), Brighton, Derby, Eastbourne, Newcastle, and Nottingham (UK), Vers-Pont-Du-Gard, Chambord, and Port-Vendres (France), and Utrecht (Netherlands) (Netherlands)
Sim Update 7 DirectX 12 Support
Sim Update 7 brings “early access” DirectX 12 support to the game from Asobo. Unfortunately, the patch notes do not specify which aspects of the game will benefit from the new API, but we can expect better multithreading and improved effects.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Update 7 Patch Notes
This latest update also includes a slew of other improvements and bug fixes. On the official site, you can find the complete patch notes.
