Boeing 737-500 Classic by CSS released for MSFS with subscription and lifetime options

After a short but eventful delay, Commercial Simulation Systems (CSS) has finally released its Boeing 737-500 Classic for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The launch went live today, marking the first entry in what CSS promises will become a comprehensive 737 Classic family, eventually spanning the -300 and -400 variants, including freighters, with support for MSFS 2024 also planned.

This isn’t your average aircraft launch. Perhaps more than the aircraft itself, it’s the business model that CSS is using here that’s stirring discussions among the community, with a unique subscription-based licensing model that gives simmers flexible 3 purchasing options:

  • $5 for 30 days
  • $50 for one year
  • $120 for a permanent license

All future expansions, including new aircraft variants, systems updates, and MSFS 2024 support, are included in all pricing tiers.

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The release is available via the official CSS website and directly through their Discord server, where users can download the CSS Launcher to install the product. SimBrief and Navigraph integrations are supported out of the box, and a paint kit will follow in the coming days.

What you’re getting right now

At launch, the package includes only the 737-500 passenger variant, built with a focus on accurate system depth and classic 1990s-era operations. The aircraft features:

  • FMC version 5 (DME/DME/IRS navigation, no GPS)
  • Fully implemented LNAV, VNAV, and autoland
  • Custom EFB with Navigraph and SimBrief integration, performance calculations, and aircraft configuration options
  • Weather and terrain radar, working wipers, and simulated icing
  • Authentic cockpit textures, sounds, and flight dynamics tested by real pilots

There’s also a built-in GSX configuration file, installed automatically, though full GSX loading integration will be added in a future update.

A word of caution for first-time users: the aircraft must be started from a Cold & Dark state, and no failure system is present at this stage—though CSS says almost every component, down to burnt cabin bulbs, is planned to be “fail-able” in the future.

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What’s next

According to CSS, the development roadmap includes:

  • Bi-weekly updates to address bugs and expand functionality
  • Continued refinement of systems like VNAV and autothrottle (both improved prior to today’s release)
  • Further EFB features and avionics enhancements
  • Future releases of the 737-300 and -400, including freighter variants, with release timelines expected to be announced in mid-June
  • Internal testing for MSFS 2024 compatibility, which will begin immediately post-release

Despite early hiccups and a two-week delay to fix last-minute issues spotted by testers, demand at launch appears strong. Minutes after the release, CSS reported near-maximum server load across five global servers as simmers rushed to download the package. Some users experienced errors with the launcher, though the team is encouraging retrying a bit later if problems persist.

This is a project that sits somewhere between passion and experimentation—both in terms of aircraft complexity and how it’s being sold. Whether it becomes a mainstay in virtual fleets will depend on how well the promised updates land, and how the community responds to this bold new model.