Tutorials

Discover the best realistic settings for MSFS 2024 to improve visuals, performance, and immersion. A simple step-by-step guide for smooth, true-to-life flight simulation.

For the complete picture on visual quality and performance, our MSFS 2024 Graphics Settings Guide explains the most important settings and optimisations that support the tweaks covered in this Best Realistic Settings for MSFS 2024 guide

Why realistic settings matter more than “max settings.”

One of the most common mistakes in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is assuming that Ultra settings automatically mean realism.
They don’t.

Ultra often means:

• Heavier performance load
• Inconsistent frame timing
• Visual effects that look impressive in screenshots but unnatural in motion

True realism is different.
Realism is about believability, balance, and smoothness.

A simulator that feels stable, natural, and convincing will always feel more real than one that simply pushes every slider to the maximum.

This guide shows you how to achieve convincing visual realism while keeping the simulator smooth and enjoyable to fly.

The three pillars of visual realism

Graphics settings that improve realism in MSFS come from three things working together:

Lighting
Natural brightness, believable shadows, and correct time-of-day tone.

Atmosphere
Haze, visibility, clouds, and colour depth that match real flying conditions.

Stability
Smooth motion and consistent frame delivery so the world feels solid instead of jittery.

If any one of these is wrong, realism breaks instantly.

The most important rule: smoothness equals realism

In real flight, the world does not stutter.
Motion is continuous and calm.

Because of this, a stable 30–40 FPS often feels far more realistic than an unstable 60 FPS that jumps or pauses.

If you’re planning more realistic flights than before, chasing visual perfection, always secure:

• Consistent frame timing
• Smooth camera motion
• Stable performance at airports and in all weather

Without stability, realism cannot exist.

Terrain Level of Detail: the realism sweet spot

Terrain Level of Detail controls how far detailed terrain is drawn.

Higher values:

• Increase distant clarity
• Improve mountain definition
• Enhance horizon realism
• Costly CPU performance

For most systems, the realistic balance is:

LOD 100–200

This range:

• Looks natural at normal flight altitudes
• Avoids excessive CPU strain
• Keeps the horizon believable without wasting performance

Going far beyond this rarely improves realism in motion.

Object Level of Detail: realism near the ground

Object LOD controls buildings, trees, and scenery density.

Too low:

• Cities look empty
• Airports feel lifeless

Too high:

• Heavy stutters near terminals
• Reduced smoothness on approach

A balanced, realistic range is:

Object LOD 100–150

This keeps:

• Airports believable
• Cities populated
• Approaches smooth

Which is exactly what realism requires.

Clouds: the biggest visual impact in the sim

Clouds define the atmosphere more than any other setting.

Ultra clouds:

• Look dramatic in screenshots
• Heavy GPU performance
• Sometimes appear overly sharp or artificial

High clouds:

• Still looks volumetric and natural
• Improve smoothness significantly
• Often appear more believable in motion

For realism, High is usually the best choice.

The goal is not spectacle.
The goal is convincing sky behaviour.

Lighting and time of day: where realism truly lives

Real-world flying rarely happens in perfect noon sunlight.

The most realistic lighting conditions are:

• Early morning
• Late afternoon
• Light atmospheric haze
• Long, soft shadows
• Warm but subtle colour tones

These conditions create:

• Depth
• Scale
• Natural contrast
• Cinematic realism without artificial effects

Simply changing the time of day can improve realism more than any graphics slider.

Visibility and haze: the secret to believable distance

Crystal-clear air from horizon to horizon looks impressive but rarely realistic.

Real atmospheres contain:

• Moisture
• Dust
• Light scatter
• Gradual visibility fade

Adding light haze often makes scenery feel:

• Larger
• More distant
• More atmospheric
• Closer to real flight conditions

Perfect clarity is beautiful.
Imperfect air is realistic.

Traffic settings and believable world activity

Real airports and skies are active, but not chaotic.

Too much traffic creates:

• Performance drops
• Unrealistic congestion
• Visual clutter

Too little traffic feels empty.

For realism:

• Use moderate AI traffic
• Keep airport vehicles low to medium
• Avoid extreme road traffic density

The aim is subtle life, not noise.

Shadows and reflections: realism versus distraction

Ultra shadows and reflections:

• Look striking in still images
• Add a heavy GPU load
• Often go unnoticed during flight

Medium or High settings usually:

• Preserve believable depth
• Maintain smooth performance
• Look identical in normal flying conditions

Realism is what you notice while flying, not what looks best paused.

Render scaling and sharpness

Higher render scaling increases clarity but can reduce performance quickly.

For most systems:

100% render scale
with good anti-aliasing
delivers the most natural result.

Pushing far beyond this often gives:

• Minimal visible improvement
• Large performance cost

Balanced clarity always beats extreme sharpness.

Camera realism and field of view

Visual realism is not only about graphics settings.
Camera setup matters just as much.

For believable scale:

• Avoid an extremely wide field of view
• Keep cockpit perspective natural
• Use gentle camera movement
• Avoid exaggerated motion effects

A calm, human-eye perspective instantly feels more real.

Weather realism versus dramatic weather

Storms are exciting, but most real flying occurs in:

• Broken cloud
• Light overcast
• Gentle wind
• Moderate visibility

Flying frequently in normal weather creates:

• More believable experience
• Better lighting conditions
• Stronger sense of realism

Extreme weather is memorable.
Ordinary weather is authentic.

A simple, realistic settings baseline

If you want a clean starting point for realism:

• Terrain LOD: 100–200
• Object LOD: 100–150
• Clouds: High
• Traffic: Moderate
• Shadows/Reflections: Medium to High
• Render Scale: 100%
• Light haze enabled
• Early morning or late afternoon lighting

This combination delivers:

• Strong visual believability
• Smooth flight experience
• Realistic atmosphere
• Reliable performance

Exactly what a simulator should provide.

The biggest realism mistake to avoid

The most damaging misconception is:

“Higher settings always equal more realism.”

In practice:

• Excessive sharpness looks artificial
• Extreme clarity feels unnatural
• Unstable FPS destroys immersion

Realism is balance, not maximums.

How realism evolves as your system improves

As hardware improves, realism should increase gradually, not instantly.

Raise:

• LOD slowly
• Cloud quality carefully
• Traffic in moderation

Always protect smoothness first.
Realism built on instability never feels convincing.

Last but not least, make sure to adjust all your controls setup for realistic flying.

Final thought

True realism in MSFS 2024 is not about pushing sliders to the limit.
It is about creating a world that feels calm, believable, and alive while remaining smooth enough to enjoy.

When visuals, atmosphere, and performance work together, the simulator stops looking like software and starts feeling like flight.

And that is where real immersion begins.

Next article: How to Plan Better Flights

If you’re learning how to fly more confidently, our Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beginner Guide covers the essential setup, controls, and navigation basics that support the techniques explained in this How to Plan Better Flights in MSFS 2024 guide.

Why flight planning changes everything

Learn how to plan better flights in MSFS with simple flight planning steps, realistic routing tips, and tools that make every virtual journey smoother and more enjoyable. In Microsoft Flight Simulator, it’s incredibly easy to fall into random flying. You pick an aircraft, choose two airports that look interesting, take off, cruise for a while, land, and repeat. At first, that feels exciting. The world is huge, everything is new, and simply being airborne is enjoyable. But over time, random flights often begin to feel empty or forgettable.

What keeps most sim pilots engaged long-term isn’t better graphics or more addons. It’s meaningful flights — flights that feel intentional, memorable, and satisfying from start to finish. Good flight planning doesn’t mean complicated planning. It means flying with purpose.

What “planning a flight” really means

Flight planning is not just entering a route into the world map or a flight computer.

At its simplest, planning answers a few key questions:

• Why am I flying this route?
• Why am I using this aircraft?
• What kind of experience do I want today?
• What will make this flight different from the last one?

Once those answers are clear, everything else becomes easier and more enjoyable.

Start with a reason, not an airport

Start with the beginner’s guide. A very common beginner habit is choosing airports first and thinking about the experience later. This often leads to flights that feel random.

A better approach is to begin with a reason to fly.

For example:

• A short evening flight to relax after dinner
• A scenic coastal hop at sunrise
• A challenging mountain approach
• A realistic regional airline sector
• Recreating a real-world route
• Testing windy or rainy weather conditions
• Capturing screenshots or video footage

When you start with a reason, the route naturally follows, and the whole flight feels more intentional.

Match the aircraft to the purpose

Choose the right aircraft addons. Aircraft are tools; choosing the wrong tool makes a flight feel awkward.

A fast jet works against slow sightseeing.
A tiny trainer feels out of place on a long airline route.

As a simple guide:

• General aviation aircraft suit exploration, scenery, and short, relaxed hops.
• Turboprops suit regional routes, terrain awareness, and hands-on flying.
• Jets suit structured routes, procedures, and airline-style realism.

When the aircraft matches the intent, the flight immediately feels more natural and rewarding.

Keep flight length realistic for your time

Performance tips for longer flights. One of the fastest ways to lose motivation is planning flights that are too long for the time you actually have.

A practical guideline:

• 20–40 minutes is ideal for relaxed GA flying.
• 40–90 minutes is perfect for turboprops and short regional jets.
• 1–2 hours is comfortable for narrow-body jet flights.
• Longer than two hours is only enjoyable if you truly like long cruise times.

Short, satisfying flights flown regularly are far more enjoyable than long flights that feel rushed or unfinished.

Use geography to make flights memorable

Geography is one of the simplest ways to add interest to any flight.

Look for routes that include coastlines, islands, mountain ranges, valleys, rivers, deserts, or changing terrain and weather. Even a short flight becomes memorable when the landscape evolves along the way.

Make the arrival the highlight

Beginners often focus on takeoff and treat landing as an afterthought. In reality, the arrival is where most of the challenge and satisfaction live.

When planning, consider runway length and direction, surrounding terrain, likely wind conditions, and whether the approach is visual or instrument-based. A thoughtfully chosen arrival can transform an ordinary flight into a truly satisfying one.

Plan your weather intentionally

The weather does not need to be random. Weather can be part of the experience you are designing.

Clear skies suit sightseeing. Light haze adds atmosphere. Broken clouds create a gentle VFR challenge. Overcast rain supports realistic airline operations. Gusty winds sharpen landing skills.

Subtle, believable weather often feels more immersive than dramatic storms.

Understanding VFR and IFR in simple terms

Flight planning becomes clearer when you understand the two basic flying styles.

VFR, or Visual Flight Rules, means navigating mainly by looking outside. It suits scenery, low altitude, and exploration, and is common in small aircraft and short flights.

IFR, or Instrument Flight Rules, means following instruments, procedures, and airways. It is used in poor weather or airline flying and feels more structured and procedural.

You don’t need deep technical knowledge to enjoy either style. Simply knowing the difference helps you choose the right kind of flight for your mood.

Using real-world routes for instant realism

Real airline and regional routes give flights immediate context. The aircraft choice makes sense, the distance feels realistic, and the airports feel naturally connected.

You don’t need perfect realism or full procedures. Even loosely following real routes makes flights feel purposeful and believable.

A simple step-by-step planning workflow

You can plan almost any enjoyable flight using this repeatable process:

1. Decide on your reason for flying today.
2. Choose an aircraft that matches the experience.
3. Pick a realistic flight length.
4. Select a scenic or interesting route.
5. Choose the weather that supports the mood.
6. Make the arrival meaningful or slightly challenging.

This entire process can take less than five minutes, yet it completely changes how the simulator feels.

Three ready-to-fly beginner examples

Here are simple flight ideas you can try immediately.

A short scenic GA flight: choose a coastal airport, fly 25 minutes along the shoreline at low altitude, and land at a nearby strip just before sunset. Focus on smooth control and enjoying the view.

A one-hour turboprop regional hop: depart a medium-size airport, climb through scattered clouds, cruise briefly, then descend into an airport surrounded by terrain or water. Let the arrival be the highlight.

A realistic short airline sector: pick two real cities about an hour apart, use the correct aircraft type, follow the basic route in the world map, and concentrate on a calm, stable landing rather than perfect procedures.

These small, achievable flights build confidence quickly.

Your first complete planning walkthrough

Try this simple walkthrough once:

• Open the world map and choose a departure airport you recognise.
• Select an aircraft suited to a 45-minute flight.
• Pick a nearby destination with interesting terrain.
• Set light cloud and gentle wind.
• Note the runway direction before takeoff.
• Fly the route calmly and focus on the landing.

That’s real flight planning in its simplest, most enjoyable form.

Helpful planning tools for beginners

You don’t need advanced tools to plan good flights.

The MSFS world map handles routing and distance perfectly.
In-game weather presets provide fast control of conditions.
Real-world maps or satellite imagery help you discover scenic routes.

More advanced tools can come later, but they are not required to enjoy meaningful flying.

Common beginner flight-planning mistakes

Avoiding a few simple traps makes a big difference:

• Choosing flights that are too long
• Using aircraft that don’t match the purpose
• Ignoring the weather entirely
• Picking flat, featureless routes
• Treating landing as an afterthought
• Constantly switching aircraft instead of learning one well

Fixing even one of these often makes the simulator feel dramatically better.

How flight planning evolves as you improve

Early on, planning is simple: short routes, clear weather, easy landings.

With experience, you may begin adding:

• Real-world schedules
• Instrument procedures
• More complex weather
• Longer routes with purpose

The key is letting complexity arrive naturally, never forcing it too soon.

Why repetition actually improves enjoyment

Flying the same route more than once is not boring. It is how real progress happens.

Repeating flights improves landings, refines approaches, reveals scenery details you missed, and builds genuine confidence. Real pilots repeat routes constantly. Familiarity creates depth, not boredom.

Turning flights into memories

After a satisfying flight, pause for a moment.

• Take a screenshot.
• Notice what worked well.
• Remember the scenery or the landing.

Flights blur together when rushed. They become meaningful when you reflect on them.

A simple habit to use before every flight

Before loading into the simulator, ask yourself:

• What kind of flight do I want right now?
• How much time do I really have?
• What aircraft fits that mood?
• What will make this flight interesting?

These four questions alone can transform the entire experience.

Final thought

The simulator already gives you the entire world. Flight planning gives the world meaning.

When flights have purpose, you stop chasing addons, stop feeling lost, and start enjoying the simple pleasure of flying again.

Next article: Return to Microsoft Flight Simulator Beginner’s Guide

For a balanced combination of smooth performance and strong visual quality, our MSFS 2024 Graphics Settings Guide explains the most important optimisation steps that support the tuning described in this MSFS 2024 Performance Settings Guide.

It’s important to balance graphics and performance in MSFS 2024. In so doing, it can completely transform your flying experience. This guide explains the most important settings, optimisation tips, and practical adjustments that help reduce stutters, improve frame rates, and keep Microsoft Flight Simulator running smoothly.

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, performance is the foundation on which everything else sits. You can have the best aircraft and scenery in the world, but if the sim stutters, pauses, or feels inconsistent, the experience quickly becomes frustrating.

For beginners, especially, performance issues are the number one reason enjoyment drops off. This guide explains smooth flying essentials for beginners in plain language and shows you how to get a smooth, stable simulator without endless tweaking.

The goal is not maximum FPS. The goal is consistency.

The most important concept: smoothness beats FPS

Many beginners chase a high FPS number because it feels like the obvious goal. In MSFS, that’s often the wrong target.

A steady 30–40 FPS with consistent frame timing feels far smoother than 60 FPS that constantly jumps, pauses, or stutters. MSFS streams scenery, simulates weather, AI traffic, and a full world in real time. Stability matters more than peak numbers.

Once you accept this, performance tuning becomes far less stressful.What actually causes stutters in MSFS

Stutters are usually not caused by “weak hardware” alone. They’re almost always caused by a bottleneck.

Common causes include:

• CPU overload, especially at airports
• GPU overload from clouds, shadows, or high resolution
• scenery loading while flying
• photogrammetry streaming
• AI traffic and ground vehicles
• running out of system memory or VRAM
• conflicting or poorly balanced settings

Most performance problems are about balance, not raw power.

CPU-limited vs GPU-limited (this explains almost everything)

MSFS constantly splits work between your CPU and GPU.

If the CPU can’t prepare frames fast enough, the GPU waits.
If the GPU can’t render frames fast enough, the CPU waits.

This is why you might see:

• low GPU usage but poor performance
• high-end hardware that still stutters
• One small setting change that fixes everything

Understanding which side is limiting you is the key to fixing performance properly.

Use the built-in FPS display

Developer Mode and turn on the FPS display. This shows:

• Your current FPS
• Whether you are CPU-limited or GPU-limited
• frame-time behaviour

You don’t need to understand every number. You only need to know which side is the bottleneck. This removes guesswork and prevents random setting changes.

The settings that matter most

A320 Airbus

Terrain Level of Detail

This controls how far out detailed terrain is rendered.

This is one of the biggest performance hits in the sim. Lowering Terrain LOD often produces immediate improvements with minimal visual loss, especially at altitude.

Object Level of Detail

This controls how far out buildings, trees, and objects are rendered.

This heavily affects performance around cities and airports. If ground performance is poor, this is one of the first settings to reduce.

Clouds

Cloud quality affects both GPU load and smoothness.

Ultra clouds look great, but are expensive. High clouds often look almost as good and perform significantly better.

Traffic (AI, ground vehicles, airport traffic)

Traffic is CPU-heavy.

Reducing AI aircraft, airport vehicles, and road traffic can instantly fix stutters at busy airports.

Shadows and reflections

These primarily affect the GPU and often go unnoticed during normal flying.

Medium settings usually look very similar to Ultra once airborne.

Settings, beginners often overestimate

Some settings sound important, but are rarely the main performance issue:

• texture resolution (unless VRAM-limited)
• anisotropic filtering
• ambient occlusion (within reason)
• texture supersampling

If your GPU has enough memory, these can often stay relatively high.

Airports and cities: why performance drops on the ground

Many beginners notice that the sim runs smoothly in cruise, but struggles badly on the ground.

This is normal.

On the ground, MSFS is rendering:

• dense scenery objects
• terminal interiors and lighting
• AI aircraft and vehicles
• complex airport geometry
• high-detail textures

Once airborne, much of that load disappears. Always tune performance at a demanding airport, not at cruise altitude.

Photogrammetry: beautiful but demanding

Photogrammetry cities can look incredible, but they place heavy demands on:

• CPU
• memory
• internet bandwidth
• consistency

If you experience micro-stutters over large cities, photogrammetry is often the cause. Turning it off or using it selectively is a perfectly valid choice, especially early on.

Streaming and internet-related stutters

MSFS streams terrain and scenery continuously.

If your connection struggles, the SIM may pause briefly while waiting for data.

Helpful steps include:

• using a wired internet connection
• avoiding downloads while flying
• clearing the rolling cache if problems persist
• not oversizing the rolling cache unnecessarily

These issues often look like performance problems but are actually data-streaming delays.

FPS limiting and why it helps

Running unlimited FPS often creates instability.

Locking your FPS:

• smooths frame timing
• reduces CPU and GPU spikes
• improves overall consistency

Many systems feel far better locked at 30 or 40 FPS than running unlocked.

Addon-ons

Most addons will affect performance, from noticeable to minimal. In fact, many addons won’t hurt performance or subtract from your flying experience.

Weather and performance

Weather is not just visual.

Cloud density, wind, turbulence, and visibility all increase simulation load. Bad weather combined with a large airport and heavy traffic creates a worst-case scenario.

If performance drops during storms, that is expected. Tune for realistic conditions, not perfect conditions.

VRAM: the hidden limiter

Running out of GPU memory causes:

• sudden stutters
• texture pop-in
• pauses when changing views

If this happens, reducing texture resolution or render scaling can dramatically improve stability.

A simple, beginner-friendly tuning order

For a reliable approach, tune in this order:

1. Test at a demanding airport
2. Enable the FPS display and note the CPU or GPU limitation
3. Lower Terrain LOD
4. Lower Object LOD
5. Reduce traffic
6. Adjust cloud quality
7. Lock FPS
8. Fine-tune shadows and reflections

Stop when the sim feels smooth. Do not chase perfection.

Why perfect performance doesn’t exist

MSFS simulates the entire planet in real time. There will always be situations where performance dips.

The goal is not to eliminate every stutter. The goal is a simulator that feels consistently enjoyable across most situations.

Once you accept that, performance tuning becomes straightforward instead of frustrating.

Final thought

Smoothness creates immersion. Consistency builds confidence.

well-tuned simulator makes every aircraft, every airport, and every flight more enjoyable.

With the right aircraft and scenery in place, the final step is turning simple flights into meaningful experiences.
Read How to Plan Better Flights to learn how to create routes with purpose, memorable arrivals, and flights you’ll genuinely enjoy.

Next article: How to Plan Your Flights

Comparing MSFS 2024 vs MSFS 2020 helps pilots understand how the simulator has evolved in terms of graphics, performance, aircraft systems, and overall realism. If you’re deciding which version best suits your flying style or hardware capability, our MSFS 2024 performance settings guide explains how optimisation, system requirements, and configuration choices influence the overall experience in the newer simulator.

MSFS 2020

MSFS 2020 remains a very mature and stable platform. After years of updates, it benefits from a massive ecosystem of add-ons, aircraft, scenery, and utilities. Many complex third-party aircraft were originally developed for MSFS 2020 and have reached a high level of polish.

MSFS 2020 still performs well

For simmers who value stability, compatibility, and a proven setup, MSFS 2020 still performs very well and continues to be a reliable choice. However, considering the advancements in MSFS 2024 vs MSFS 2020, users may find new features enticing.

Understanding the distinctions between MSFS 2024 vs MSFS 2020 can help new users make informed decisions regarding their flight simulation experience.

MSFS 2024

MSFS 2024 was designed to expand the simulator beyond traditional point-to-point flying. It places a stronger emphasis on immersion, career-style activities, and dynamic world interactions. This includes features such as missions, specialised aircraft roles, and a more detailed simulation of environmental and ground-based activities.

For users who enjoy structured gameplay and varied flying experiences, MSFS 2024 offers something that MSFS 2020 was never designed to focus on. The ongoing debate of MSFS 2024 vs MSFS 2020 highlights the evolving nature of flight simulation.

When weighing the options, the differences between MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 become more apparent, influencing many simmers’ decisions.

Performance

Performance is often a deciding factor. On many systems, MSFS 2024 can feel more demanding, especially when using its newer features and higher world detail. MSFS 2020, by contrast, is well understood and often easier to optimise on a wide range of hardware. For users with older or mid-range systems, MSFS 2020 may deliver smoother and more predictable performance.

Add-on compatibility

Add-on compatibility is another important consideration. While many developers now support both platforms, not all MSFS 2020 add-ons are immediately compatible with MSFS 2024. Some aircraft and utilities may require updates, and a few may never transition fully. If your current setup relies on specific aircraft or tools, MSFS 2020 may remain the better choice until compatibility is guaranteed.

Flying style

Flying style also plays a major role. Simmers who primarily fly airliners on scheduled routes, use online networks, or replicate real-world airline operations often find MSFS 2020 more than sufficient. Its stability and established workflows suit long-haul flights and complex procedures very well.

MSFS 2024, on the other hand, appeals strongly to users who enjoy variety, bush flying, rescue missions, and hands-on interaction with the simulated world.

Flying style

Another factor is the Flying style. MSFS 2020 offers a more traditional simulator experience that many long-time simmers are familiar with. MSFS 2024 introduces new systems and concepts that may take time to learn. For newcomers, this can be exciting, but for those who prefer a familiar environment, MSFS 2020 may feel more comfortable.

Which version?

So which should you fly in 2026? There is no single correct answer. MSFS 2020 remains an excellent, stable platform with deep add-on support and proven performance. MSFS 2024 offers newer ideas, more immersive activities, and a broader definition of what flight simulation can be.

Keeping both versions?

Many simmers choose to keep both installed and switch depending on the type of flying they want to do.

If you value stability, mature add-ons, and traditional airline-style flying, MSFS 2020 is still a strong choice. If you enjoy immersive activities, varied missions, and a more dynamic world, MSFS 2024 may be the better fit.

In conclusion

Feature differences between simulator versions are often clarified through official announcements and development updates. The Microsoft Flight Simulator official website regularly publishes news, feature breakdowns, and platform updates that provide authoritative insight into how each simulator version continues to evolve.

If you’re new to the simulator, our Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beginner Guide explains the essential setup, controls, and first-flight knowledge that make the terms in this Flight Simulation Glossary much easier to understand.

A clear, beginner-friendly flight simulation glossary explaining common aviation and simulator terms used in Microsoft Flight Simulator and modern flight sim flying. This page is designed to be evergreen, beginner‑friendly, and useful whether you’re brand new or a long‑time simmer.

A

Addon / Add‑on
Extra content that expands a simulator, such as aircraft, airports, scenery, weather engines, or utilities.

Airspeed (IAS / TAS / GS)

• IAS (Indicated Airspeed): What the aircraft’s airspeed indicator shows.
• TAS (True Airspeed): Actual speed through the air mass.
• GS (Ground Speed): Speed over the ground, affected by wind.

APU (Auxiliary Power Unit)
A small onboard engine that provides electrical power and air when the main engines are off.

Autopilot (AP)
A system that automatically controls the aircraft’s attitude, altitude, speed, or navigation.

B

Base Simulator
The core flight simulation platform, before any add‑ons are installed.

Bush Flying
Low‑level flying to short, remote, or unprepared airstrips, often in rugged terrain.

C

Cold and Dark
An aircraft state where everything is powered off, simulating a realistic startup from scratch.

Control Sensitivity / Curves
Settings that adjust how your joystick, yoke, or pedals respond to input.

Cruise Altitude
The planned altitude at which the aircraft flies most efficiently during the cruise phase.

D

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Software used to record and edit audio for videos or cockpit sounds.

Dead Reckoning
Navigating by time, speed, heading, and distance without electronic aids.

E

EFB (Electronic Flight Bag)
A tablet‑style interface used for flight planning, aircraft setup, weights, and performance.

Elevation
Height above mean sea level, used for airports and terrain.

F

FMC / FMGS / MCDU
The aircraft’s flight management computer is used to program routes, performance, and automation.

Flight Model
The mathematical system that determines how realistically an aircraft flies.

Frame Rate (FPS)
How many frames per second does your simulator display? Higher FPS usually means smoother motion.

G

Gate‑to‑Gate
A full flight simulation from parking-gate departure to arrival-gate shutdown.

Glass Cockpit
A cockpit using digital displays instead of traditional analog instruments.

H

Heading
The direction the aircraft’s nose is pointing, measured in degrees.

Holding Pattern
A racetrack‑shaped flight path is used to delay an aircraft before continuing.

I

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)
Flying primarily by instruments and procedures, often in low visibility.

Immersion
How realistic and convincing does the simulation feel overall?

J

Joystick / Yoke
Primary flight controls are used to steer the aircraft in pitch and roll.

L

Livery
The paint scheme or airline colours applied to an aircraft.

LOD (Level of Detail)
A performance technique where distant objects are rendered with less detail.

M

Managed Mode
Automation, where the aircraft follows programmed speeds, altitudes, or routes automatically.

METAR
A coded weather report used for real‑world and simulated weather.

N

Navdata
Navigation database containing airways, procedures, and waypoints.

Night Lighting
Airport and cockpit lighting quality during night operations.

P

Payload
Passengers, cargo, and baggage are carried by the aircraft.

Procedures (SID / STAR / Approach)
Standard routes for departures, arrivals, and landings.

R

Real‑Time Weather
Live weather is injected into the simulator based on real‑world conditions.

Re‑amping (Audio)
Recording a clean signal first, then processing it later for the best sound quality.

S

SimBrief
A popular flight planning tool that generates realistic operational flight plans.

Stutters
Momentary pauses or uneven motion caused by performance issues.

T

Terrain Mesh
The underlying 3D shape of the landscape.

Traffic (AI / Live)
Simulated aircraft moving realistically around airports and airspace.

V

VFR (Visual Flight Rules)
Flying primarily by visual reference to the ground and horizon.

Virtual Airline (VA)
An online community that simulates airline operations for fun.

W

Weights & Balance
Aircraft loading calculations that affect performance and handling.

World Updates
Large simulator updates that improve scenery and landmarks for specific regions.

About This Glossary

Flight simulation has its own language. This glossary is here to remove confusion, lower the learning curve, and help you enjoy the hobby more — whether you fly casually or aim for deep realism.

This page will continue to grow over time as new terms and technologies appear.

Using MSFS 2024 live weather allows pilots to experience real-world atmospheric conditions, winds, visibility, and cloud formations that make each flight feel unique and realistic. If you’re still learning how realism settings, environmental configuration, and simulator options influence the flying experience, our best realistic settings for MSFS 2024 guide explains the key adjustments that help create believable real-world conditions throughout your flights..

Common complaints include:

• Clear skies when bad weather is expected
• Missing cloud layers
• Incorrect wind direction or strength
• Weather changing mid-flight

Because live weather is such a core feature of the simulator, problems here can seriously break immersion.

This article explains why live weather issues are so common in MSFS 2024, what’s usually happening behind the scenes, and what has helped many users improve reliability.

A quick note before we start

There is no single fix that guarantees perfect live weather.

Live weather depends on:

• External data sources
• Server availability
• Data updates over time
• How and when the simulator refreshes conditions

The aim isn’t perfection, but understanding what’s realistic to expect and how to improve consistency.

Why live weather often feels “wrong”

Live weather in MSFS 2024 is not a live video feed of conditions. It is a model built from real-world data that is interpreted and updated periodically.

This means:

• Conditions may lag real-time
• Small-scale weather may be simplified
• Rapid weather changes may not appear accurately

What looks like a failure is often a limitation of how weather data is processed.

Common reasons live weather doesn’t match reality

Weather data delays

Real-world weather data updates on intervals. If conditions have changed recently, the simulator may still be using earlier information.

Server availability issues

When weather servers are under heavy load or experiencing issues, live weather may fail silently and fall back to simplified conditions.

Cached weather data

Occasionally, previously loaded weather data persists longer than expected, especially during short flights or repeated sessions.

Location-specific limitations

Weather accuracy varies by region. Some areas have more detailed data coverage than others, which affects realism.

Incorrect presets were selected unintentionally

Sometimes live weather is disabled without the user realising it, especially after changing settings or loading saved flights.

What has helped many users (but not all)

The steps below have improved live weather behaviour for many users. Results vary, but these are sensible checks.

Confirm live weather is actually enabled

Ensure live weather is selected before the flight loads, not changed afterward.

Restart the simulator

Live weather often fails quietly. Restarting forces a fresh data request.

Avoid changing weather mid-flight

Switching between presets and live weather during a flight can cause inconsistent results.

Allow time for the weather to settle

Live weather may take several minutes after loading to fully populate clouds and wind layers.

Be cautious immediately after updates

Weather services sometimes behave inconsistently shortly after simulator updates. Waiting can be more effective than troubleshooting.

Why weather may look right at altitude but wrong on the ground

Some users notice the weather improves once airborne. This often reflects:

• Delayed surface layer updates
• Gradual loading of cloud data
• Stabilisation of wind models over time

This behaviour can be confusing, but it is not uncommon.

When it’s probably not worth chasing further

If:

• The weather is broadly plausible
• Conditions vary realistically during flight
• No obvious errors occur

…it may be best to accept minor inaccuracies rather than endlessly restarting flights.

Live weather is an approximation, not a perfect recreation.

A helpful way to think about live weather

A useful mindset is this:

Live weather aims for believable conditions, not exact replication.

Understanding that helps set realistic expectations and reduces frustration.

Closing thought

Live weather issues in MSFS 2024 are frustrating precisely because they affect immersion so directly. In most cases, they aren’t the result of user error, but of data delays, modelling limits, or temporary server issues.

Real-world weather data used in aviation is based on METAR reports, forecasts, and atmospheric modelling that update continuously throughout the day. Aviation weather resources such as Aviation Weather Center provide real-time observations and forecasts, offering helpful context when comparing simulator conditions with actual weather patterns.

Your window seat to the skies.

To explore more of the highest-quality aircraft and scenery available, our Best MSFS 2024 Aircraft Addons guide highlights the most recommended simulator upgrades and pairs naturally with the featured locations in this Microsoft “Handcrafted” Airports in MSFS 2024 overview.

About this guide

Microsoft’s handcrafted airports in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 showcase highly detailed terminals, accurate layouts, and enhanced ground environments designed to deliver a more realistic flying experience. This guide explains what handcrafted airports are, how they differ from default scenery, and what to expect when flying to these premium locations.

If you’ve ever loaded into an airport expecting something special and thought, “This feels fairly ordinary,” you’re not imagining things. Even experienced simmers can find the term confusing, because handcrafted doesn’t mean one single thing, and it certainly doesn’t guarantee a consistent level of detail.

This article exists to clarify what the term means in MSFS 2024 — calmly, without hype, and without turning it into a checklist or a debate.

What “handcrafted” means in MSFS 2024

In MSFS 2024, a handcrafted airport has received manual developer attention, rather than being built entirely from procedural or generic assets.

In practical terms, this usually means:

• Custom or semi-custom terminal models
• Manually adjusted airport layouts
• Hand-placed details beyond pure autogen
• A closer match to the real-world footprint

What it does not automatically mean is:

• Payware-level detail
• Perfect accuracy
• Identical quality across all handcrafted airports

Microsoft has stated that MSFS 2024 includes a curated set of handcrafted airports, carried over and upgraded from MSFS 2020, with totals depending on the edition you own. It’s a defined group, not a label applied to every major airport.

Handcrafted does not mean one quality level

This is the point where expectations most often clash with reality.

The word handcrafted sounds like it should imply a single, high standard. In practice, it describes how an airport was created, not how far that work was taken.

Some handcrafted airports feel rich, convincing, and atmospheric. Others represent a more modest improvement over default — better shapes and layout, but still fairly simple up close.

That doesn’t mean something is wrong or mislabeled. It usually reflects:

• When the airport was created
• How much time and budget it received
• Whether it was part of a major world update or base-sim package

Understanding this early avoids a lot of unnecessary disappointment.

Why people often talk past each other about handcrafted airports

When someone says “that airport is handcrafted,” they may be referring to different things:

• Microsoft’s official handcrafted airports are included with the sim
• Airports introduced or upgraded through World or City Updates
• Third-party bespoke airports, either payware or freeware

All of these involve manual design work, but only the first category aligns with how Microsoft uses the term in edition comparisons and official descriptions.

This is why discussions can feel contradictory. Two people can both be correct while talking about different categories.

How to recognise a handcrafted airport in practice

If you want to work out whether an airport in MSFS 2024 is handcrafted without relying on marketing material, there are a few practical clues.

A handcrafted airport will usually show:

• Terminal buildings that don’t rely on repeated generic shapes
• Aprons and taxiways that closely match real-world layouts
• Signage and stand placement that feels intentional
• A stronger sense of local character

That said, some handcrafted airports are subtle. Not all improvements are decorative, and lighter-touch examples can be easy to miss at first glance.

If an airport feels broadly interchangeable with many others, it may not be handcrafted — or it may be a more restrained example.

Why handcrafted airports can look inconsistent

Another common source of confusion is inconsistency between users.

Two simmers can load into the same airport and come away with noticeably different impressions. Factors can include:

• Streaming behaviour and bandwidth
• Cached scenery data
• Local configuration differences
• The evolving state of MSFS 2024 itself

This doesn’t mean airports change dramatically from one user to another, but it can affect how detailed and textures are presented, particularly after updates.

It’s one reason sweeping claims about quality should always be treated cautiously.

Why the term still matters

Even with all these caveats, handcrafted remains a useful term.

A handcrafted airport is generally:

• More accurate in layout
• More convincing from the air
• Better suited as a destination
• More interesting to explore at ground level

For flight planning, it works best as a strong hint rather than a promise. It suggests an airport is worth a look — and that’s often all you need when choosing where to fly next.

A sensible way to think about handcrafted airports

The most helpful mindset in MSFS 2024 is this:

Handcrafted describes intention, not perfection.

Some airports shine because of lighting, surroundings, or approach paths. Others work better as believable backdrops than close-up showcases.

Neither is wrong. Understanding that difference makes the simulator far more enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are handcrafted airports included in MSFS 2024?

Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes a selection of handcrafted airports, although the exact number depends on which edition of the simulator you own.

Are handcrafted airports better than default airports?

Generally, yes, but not always by a huge margin. Some handcrafted airports are a clear improvement over default scenery, while others are more subtle. It depends on how much manual work was done and how detailed the airport was made.

Do handcrafted airports improve performance?

Not usually. Handcrafted airports are mainly about improving realism, layout accuracy and visual detail. Depending on the airport and your system, they may even be slightly more demanding than a simpler default airport.

Can freeware airports be handcrafted?

Yes. Many freeware developers create airports manually with custom buildings, corrected layouts and extra details. In everyday simming, people may call these handcrafted too, although Microsoft usually uses the term for airports included with the simulator or official packages.

Are all major airports handcrafted in MSFS 2024?

No. Many major airports in MSFS 2024 still use a mixture of generic, procedural and customised scenery. Only selected airports are officially presented as handcrafted.

How do I know if an airport is worth visiting?

The best way is still to fly there and judge it for yourself. Screenshots and lists can help, but the overall experience depends on the approach, surrounding scenery, lighting, weather and the type of flying you enjoy.

Related Articles

• Best MSFS 2024 Aircraft Addons
• Best Free Airports for MSFS 2024
• MSFS 2024 Graphics & Performance Guide
• How to Make MSFS 2024 Look Photorealistic
• Microsoft Flight Simulator FAQ

Closing thought

The word handcrafted in MSFS 2024 isn’t misleading — it’s simply broader than many people expect.

Once it’s understood as a description of process rather than polish, it becomes a genuinely helpful part of flight planning instead of a source of frustration.

Your window seat to the skies

The History of Microsoft Flight Simulator began between 1977 and 1983, when primitive graphics and pioneering ideas proved that real flight could exist on a personal computer. Explore the earliest days of Microsoft Flight Simulator from 1977 to 1983, when primitive graphics, bold innovation, and personal computers launched a simulation legend.

If you want to understand why Microsoft Flight Simulator still matters today, you really do have to go back to the very beginning. Not to powerful PCs, detailed scenery, or complex aircraft systems — but to a time when simply seeing a horizon move on a screen felt like magic.

The late 1970s and early 1980s were a very different world for computing. Machines were slow, memory was measured in kilobytes, storage came on floppy disks, and colour displays were a luxury rather than the norm. And yet, somehow, this was where flight simulation took its first real steps.

Computers of the time

Early personal computers weren’t built for entertainment, let alone simulation. They were noisy, slow, and often temperamental. Booting a machine could take time, and loading software from a floppy disk required patience — lots of it.

Most systems had:

• extremely limited memory

• very basic graphics

• simple keyboards (no mice yet)

• monochrome or low-resolution colour monitors

There were no GPUs, no multi-core processors, and no expectation of smooth performance. If something moved convincingly on screen, it was impressive.

The first simulators

The earliest versions of Flight Simulator were astonishingly simple by modern standards — but revolutionary for their time. The world was sparse, the aircraft basic, and the instruments minimal. There were no satellite images, no real-world weather, and certainly no detailed airports.

And yet, for the first time, you could:

• Control an aircraft

• Watch the horizon tilt as you banked

• climb, descend, and turn, and feel a sense of being somewhere else

It wasn’t about realism as we define it today. It was about imagination filling in the gaps.

What it felt like to fly

This is hard to explain unless you were there.

Flying in these early simulators required patience and curiosity. Frame rates were low. Controls felt crude. Sometimes the simulator struggled just to keep up. But when everything lined up — when the screen responded, and the aircraft behaved as expected — it felt deeply rewarding.

You weren’t chasing perfection. You were discovering a possibility.

Many users weren’t pilots. Some had never even been in a small aircraft. But for the first time, aviation felt accessible — something you could explore from your desk at home.

• Limitations? Plenty. Magic? Absolutely.

• By modern standards, Era 1 simulators were full of limitations:

• Simple wireframe or blocky graphics

• Very basic flight models

• Little sense of scale or geography

But those limitations didn’t matter as much as you might think. In fact, they encouraged imagination. The simulator gave you just enough information to believe, and your mind did the rest.

That sense of “what if?” — what if this could be better, smoother, more detailed — was already there.

A foundation quietly laid

Looking back now, it’s remarkable how much was achieved with so little. Era 1 didn’t try to be everything. It didn’t promise realism or accuracy in the modern sense. What it did do was prove that flight simulation belonged on personal computers — and that people wanted it.

Everything that came later was built on this foundation.

The computers would get faster. The graphics would improve. The worlds would grow larger and more detailed. But the core idea — sitting down and flying, simply for the joy of it — was already firmly in place.

And with that foundation laid, flight simulation was ready to move into its next phase.

Next Era >

The History of Microsoft Flight Simulator Era 6 — A New Beginning (2020–Present). Beginning in 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator returned with breathtaking global scenery, live weather, and technology that redefined what home flight simulation could become. After years of uncertainty, flight simulation didn’t just return — it re-entered the spotlight in a way few could have imagined.

Era 6 represents more than a technical upgrade. It marks a reset — a moment where flight simulation stepped out of its niche and reintroduced itself to a much wider audience.

A fresh start

When the modern era of flight simulation arrived, it was immediately clear that something fundamental had changed.

This wasn’t just an update built on old foundations. It was a rethinking of what a flight simulator could be — visually, technically, and culturally.

For the first time:

• The entire world was available
• Scenery felt alive and recognisable
• Flying anywhere felt meaningful

You no longer had to imagine the landscape — you could see it.

Technology finally aligned

What made Era 6 possible wasn’t just ambition — it was timing.

By this point:

• Modern CPUs and GPUs were powerful enough
• Internet connectivity was fast and widespread
• Cloud technology could be leveraged
• Storage and memory were no longer major constraints

Flight simulation could finally take advantage of modern computing rather than fighting against it.

The result was an experience that felt expansive, fluid, and alive.

A broader audience returns

Perhaps the most striking change in Era 6 was who came back — and who arrived for the first time.

Long-time simmers returned, curious to see what had changed. New users discovered flight simulation through visuals alone, often without any prior aviation background.

For some, it became:

• A learning tool
• A creative outlet
• A way to relax
• A way to explore the world

Flight simulation once again felt accessible, without losing its depth.

Depth still matters

Despite the visual leap, Era 6 didn’t abandon realism.

Serious simulation:

• Procedures
• Navigation
• Aircraft systems

remained central for those who wanted it. Third-party developers once again played a vital role, expanding the simulator in directions that catered to both casual flyers and dedicated enthusiasts.

The difference this time was choice.

You could fly casually — or deeply.
You could explore — or train.
Keep it simple — or go all in.

A living platform

Unlike previous eras, Era 6 doesn’t feel finished.

The simulator continues to evolve:

• Updates arrive regularly
• New aircraft and systems appear
• The community actively shapes its direction

Flight simulation is no longer something you install and leave unchanged for years. It’s a living platform — growing, adapting, and improving over time.

Looking back, looking forward

Seen as a whole, the six eras tell a remarkable story.

From wireframe horizons and floppy disks, through golden years and uncertain transitions, to a modern, connected world — flight simulation has quietly reflected the evolution of personal computing itself.

What’s remained constant is the appeal:

• The freedom of flight
• The satisfaction of learning
• The joy of exploration

Era 6 doesn’t replace what came before — it builds on it.

And just like those early simulators, it leaves one question hanging in the air:

Where do we go next?

Final thoughts

Flight simulation has never been just about technology. It’s about curiosity, patience, imagination, and the simple pleasure of flying — wherever and however you choose to do it.

That spirit has survived every era.

And it’s very much alive today.