Microsoft Flight Simulator flies higher with Sim Update IX release

Microsoft Flight Simulator just received its latest major update with the release of Sim Update IX. With this, Asobo has made numerous upgrades, improvements, and bug fixes to various parts of the sim, several aircrafts, aircraft systems, and more.

The update is already available on the Microsoft Store and Steam servers. As always, Asobo recommends that players temporarily empty their “Community” folders prior to downloading and installing the update to ensure there are no conflicts. Certain addons may also need updates in order to have full compatibility with Sim Update IX.

Clearing the airways

Sim Update IX for Microsoft Flight Simulator has a pretty extensive changelog, but there are a few key highlights that stand out.

Earlier in 2022, Asobo made some major improvements to propellers simulation. A few prop planes benefited from those upgrades, but not every single default prop in the sim saw an immediate overhaul. Now, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk had received this upgrade, which confirms that remaining planes like the Baron and SR22 will more than likely also see this upgrade sometime in the future.

The sim has also had its stability and performance improved with this update, as it addresses “several crashes” and provides a continuation of the dev’s “ongoing performance optimization work.” Even the ATC has gotten a bit of an upgrade, as there’s now better differentiation between the voices of the controller and AI pilots, along with improvements of ILS operations.

Various aircraft like the Boeing 787 and 747, along with the Airbus A320neo, Cessna Citation J4, Grand Caravan, and Beechcraft King Air 350i (just to name a few), have all been improved with various fixes. Some of the aircraft also got minor additions.

What’s more, the update touched up various scenery elements, the weather system, peripheral button mapping, and many other areas of the sim. Again, the full list of changes is pretty lengthy. The next update for Microsoft Flight Simulator will be World Update IX that releases in mid-May. When it drops, it will bring extensive enhancements to Italy and Malta.