From Takeoff to Touchdown: Launching My MSFS 2024 Career
With World Photographer and Career Mode being standout additions to the simulator, I used my limited time to dive into Career Mode. You start by selecting any location in the world, after which you’re introduced to your mentor, who is generated with a look and name suited to your chosen region. The initial lesson involves a basic take-off and some pattern work before you land your Cessna. This introductory session is a required step before you can progress further. For seasoned pilots, this might feel a bit tedious since there’s no option to skip it (at least in the version we tested).
Once you’ve completed the basics, you can access missions or continue on the certification path to develop new skills. This branching path lets you chart your own course through various type-rating exams and courses, unlocking more missions and activities as you progress. Unfortunately, I couldn’t participate in any of the missions due to limited time, which was disappointing since this was the feature I was most excited to explore.
Despite that, jumping into the sim immediately reveals a marked improvement in visuals for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Even though we were working with pre-release software, the graphical enhancements were striking.
Career mode begins with a detailed walk-around, where you inspect each part of the plane for potential issues. This new feature highlights the detailed modeling of aircraft, with lighting and reflections looking more advanced than even MSFS 2020. Rivet counters will especially appreciate this new level of detail. I started at Bristol Airport (EGGD), a procedurally generated location. The ground textures were incredibly detailed, with visible bumps, markings, and weathering effects that go beyond what I’d seen in previous, non-handcrafted airports.
As I took off in the Cessna, ray tracing brought shadows to life, adding realism alongside a new atmospheric lighting engine. The sunlight created stunning cockpit shadows, and the lighting engine overall added a natural feel to the atmosphere. As I circled Bristol, I could distinguish different tree species, and the ground looked remarkably lifelike, thanks to a 4000x improvement in geometry. Additionally, cars, ground vehicles, and generic airport structures looked noticeably better than in the previous simulator, adding to the immersive experience.