As the highly anticipated release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 approaches on November 19, the MSFS team continues to provide exclusive insights into what’s coming. In the first 1st Party Aircraft Development Stream, FlightFX, known for their work on the Vision Jet, took center stage to showcase three of their upcoming aircraft for MSFS 2024: the Jetson One, the Joby Aviation S4, and the Archer Midnight.
FlightFX CEO Nick Sdoucos and Flight Engineer Marwan Gharib led the presentation, giving an in-depth look at these futuristic aircraft.
Jetson One
The Jetson One is a small, electric personal aircraft designed for recreational use. Its simplicity and user-friendly controls make it stand out as a fun and accessible aircraft in MSFS 2024. Described by Nick Sdoucos as a cross between a Star Wars speeder and a personal drone, the Jetson One is lightweight, can fold up for easy transport, and reaches speeds of up to 60 knots. It’s perfect for low-altitude flights!
Marwan Gharib demonstrated the Jetson One’s capabilities, emphasizing how intuitive the controls are. The flight mechanics are straightforward, with a combination of throttle and joystick inputs controlling altitude and direction. Its ease of use, combined with the highly detailed environments in MSFS 2024, promises to make this aircraft a favorite for those looking for an accessible yet exhilarating flying experience.
Interestingly, if you’d like to get a hold of a similar experience right now in MSFS, Got Friends’ Astro ONE, which is heavily inspired by the Jetson One, is readily available on their website.
Joby S4
Moving on to the Joby S4, this is an electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for urban air mobility. It’s intended for short, point-to-point flights, such as ferrying passengers between airports and city centers. Capable of reaching speeds of around 180 knots, the Joby S4 transitions smoothly from vertical takeoff to forward flight, thanks to its advanced fly-by-wire system.
Gharib highlighted the aircraft’s automatic deceleration to hover feature, which allows it to slow down and hover over a pre-set waypoint, making it easy to control even in dense urban environments. With its large, expansive windows and high-tech features, the Joby S4 is perfect for scenic flights, offering an immersive experience that takes full advantage of MSFS 2024’s enhanced terrain and biomes.
Archer Midnight
The Archer Midnight is another sleek and sophisticated eVTOL and was the final aircraft showcased. With its 12 motors and striking design, the Archer Midnight stands out visually and functionally. Unlike the Joby S4, the Archer Midnight features full autopilot capabilities, so it’s ideal for simmers looking for longer, more automated flights. It’s designed to take off vertically or conventionally, offering flexibility in a range of flight scenarios.
Sdoucos described the Archer Midnight as having a luxurious interior and a range of approximately 150 nautical miles. The aircraft combines practicality with style, providing a comfortable and intuitive flight experience with a design that is both futuristic and functional, making it another standout in FlightFX’s MSFS 2024 lineup.
What’s next?
Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, briefly introduced the stream but let the spotlight shine on the FlightFX team, who demonstrated their contributions to the upcoming simulator. Neumann teased that more developer streams will follow, featuring other first-party developers showcasing the aircraft and content that will be included in MSFS 2024.
Stay tuned for more updates and developer showcases as the November 19 release of MSFS 2024 approaches.
To learn more about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, make sure to check out our MSFS 2024 Content Hub and our comprehensive overview of the new sim here.
