If you want your flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to feel structured, realistic, and professional, SimBrief is one of the most valuable tools you can use. Instead of simply choosing two airports and pressing Fly, SimBrief generates a realistic operational flight plan complete with routing, fuel calculations, cruise levels, alternates, and wind corrections.
The good news is that SimBrief is much easier to use than it first appears. Once you understand the basic workflow, you can generate a complete airline-style flight plan in just a few minutes.
This guide explains how to use SimBrief step by step, from creating an account to importing your flight plan into MSFS.
What Is SimBrief
SimBrief is a free online flight planning system used by flight simmers and virtual airlines. It generates detailed operational flight plans that include:
- Realistic IFR routes
- Accurate fuel calculations
- Recommended cruise altitude
- Wind and weather corrections
- Alternate airport planning
- A full operational flight plan (OFP)
SimBrief integrates with many MSFS aircraft and works especially well if you also use Navigraph navigation data.
Step 1: Create a SimBrief Account
Visit the SimBrief website and create a free account.
After logging in:
- Enter your basic profile information
- Choose your preferred units (kilograms or pounds, feet or meters)
- Set an optional airline or callsign
This setup only needs to be done once.
Step 2: Create a New Flight
On the SimBrief dashboard, click:
Create New Flight
You will see the main flight planning form.
Enter the following information:
Departure airport (ICAO code, for example, YSSY)
Destination airport (for example, NZAA)
Alternate airport (recommended but optional)
Aircraft type
Selecting the correct aircraft type is important because fuel calculations depend on aircraft performance profiles.
Step 3: Select the Correct Aircraft Profile
SimBrief uses aircraft performance profiles to estimate fuel burn and climb performance.
Examples include:
- B738 for Boeing 737-800
- A320 for Airbus A320
- C172 for Cessna 172
Choose the closest profile to the aircraft you plan to fly in MSFS.
Using the wrong profile may result in:
- Incorrect fuel calculations
- Incorrect cruise altitude
- Unrealistic flight time estimates
Step 4: Generate the Route
You have two main options for route planning.
Auto Route
Recommended for most users.
SimBrief automatically generates a realistic route including airways and waypoints.
Manual Route
Manual routes allow full control over airways and navigation fixes. This is typically used by experienced pilots or virtual airlines.
For most flights, simply choose Auto Route and click:
Generate Flight
SimBrief will generate the complete flight plan within seconds.
Step 5: Understanding the Flight Plan
After generation, several sections appear in the operational flight plan.
Route Section
This shows the complete routing, including:
- SID (Standard Instrument Departure)
- Airways and waypoints
- STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival Route)
Fuel Section
This section includes:
- Trip fuel
- Contingency fuel
- Alternate fuel
- Final reserve fuel
- Total fuel required
Cruise Level
SimBrief recommends a realistic cruise altitude based on:
- Route distance
- Winds aloft
- Aircraft performance
When starting, focus mainly on the route and total fuel values.
Step 6: Importing SimBrief into MSFS Aircraft
Many aircraft in MSFS 2024 support direct SimBrief integration.
Method 1: Direct Aircraft Import
In many modern aircraft:
Open the aircraft EFB (tablet)
Find the SimBrief section
Enter your SimBrief username
Press Import
The flight plan will load automatically into the aircraft’s flight management computer.
Method 2: Import Using a .PLN File
If the aircraft does not support direct SimBrief integration:
Download the flight plan in MSFS (.PLN) format.
Then:
Open the World Map in MSFS
Load the saved flight plan
This method works but is slightly less realistic than direct aircraft import.
Step 7: Cross-Check the Flight Plan
After importing the route into the aircraft, verify the following:
- Departure runway
- SID selection
- Cruise altitude
- STAR and approach
- Total fuel quantity
Never assume everything is loaded perfectly. Always perform a quick cross-check before departure.
Step 8: Flying the SimBrief Plan
During the flight:
Follow the programmed route
Monitor fuel consumption
Compare the actual flight time with the estimated time
Before descent:
Review the STAR
Confirm the arrival runway
Prepare your approach if using Navigraph charts
SimBrief provides the structure, but you still manage the flight.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Using the Wrong Aircraft Profile
Incorrect aircraft profiles produce inaccurate fuel calculations.
Ignoring Alternate Airports
Planning alternates adds realism and helps simulate real-world flight planning.
Runway Mismatch
Sometimes MSFS selects a different runway than SimBrief expected. Adjust your departure or arrival procedure accordingly.
Outdated Navigation Data
If using Navigraph, ensure that both your simulator and SimBrief navigation data are updated.
SimBrief for General Aviation
SimBrief is not only useful for airliners.
GA pilots can use it to:
- Calculate fuel endurance
- Estimate cruise altitude
- Plan IFR routes
- Estimate wind impact
Even short GA flights feel more organised with proper planning.
Why SimBrief Improves Realism
Using SimBrief introduces several real-world aviation concepts into your simulator flying:
- Fuel planning
- Operational decision making
- Structured routing
- Performance management
- Professional flight workflow
Instead of guessing fuel and route choices, you plan them.
Simple SimBrief Workflow
The basic process becomes very simple with practice:
Enter departure and destination
Select aircraft profile
Generate route
Review fuel and cruise level
Import flight plan
Cross-check
Fly
After a few flights, this workflow becomes second nature.
Is SimBrief Worth Using?
SimBrief is especially valuable if you:
- Fly airliners regularly
- Enjoy structured operations
- Want realistic fuel planning
- Prefer IFR flight planning
If you mostly fly short sightseeing VFR flights, it may be optional, but still useful.
Conclusion
SimBrief transforms Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 from simple point-to-point flying into structured, realistic flight operations. By generating professional flight plans, calculating fuel accurately and integrating directly with many aircraft systems, it creates a workflow similar to real-world dispatch planning. Once you learn the generate-and-import process, SimBrief quickly becomes one of the most useful tools in your entire flight simulation setup.