Asobo Studio released Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on 19 November 2024 as a separate product from the 2020 sim, built around a career mode rather than free flight alone. The Standard Edition ships more than 65 aircraft and the world engine draws on over 500 TIN cities, more than 100,000 square kilometres of countryside photogrammetry, roughly 1.5 billion buildings and close to 3 trillion trees. Career progression runs through more than 20 certifications, each opening specialisations from skydive drops up to heavy cargo.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skydive | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Search and Rescue | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Aerial Firefighting | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Medevac | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Charter Service VIP | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 tier list.
A-Tier: Skydive
Skydive is a top-performing option in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Cessna 172 Skyhawk | The training aircraft the career hands you early and the one every certification exercise assumes. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Career mode with certifications | You start unlicensed and buy your way up through the Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating and Airline Transport Pilot Licence, with a separate Jet ATP rating on top. |
How to Play Skydive
Skydive focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Cessna 172 Skyhawk does the damage and Career mode with certifications keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue is a strong option in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX | A single-engine turboprop that hauls a genuine load into short strips. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Specialisations and mission payouts | Certifications unlock specialisations, each gated behind a career level and a run of well-scored missions. |
How to Play Search and Rescue
Search and Rescue focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX with Specialisations and mission payouts and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Aerial Firefighting
Aerial Firefighting is a strong option in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Beechcraft King Air 350i | A twin turboprop that covers charter, cargo and medevac work with speed and range that single-engine types cannot match. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Aircraft wear and maintenance | Aircraft you own accumulate wear and need mechanics, parts and downtime rather than resetting between flights. |
How to Play Aerial Firefighting
Aerial Firefighting focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Aircraft wear and maintenance covers the gap Beechcraft King Air 350i leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Medevac
Medevac is a specialized option in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Air Tractor AT-802 | A new addition in the 2024 Standard Edition, built for agricultural work and firefighting. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Rebuilt world engine | Terrain uses enhanced digital elevation data with over 500 photogrammetry-based TIN cities and more than 100,000 square kilometres of countryside coverage, plus procedurally placed vegetation and wildlife. |
How to Play Medevac
Medevac focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Rebuilt world engine rather than raw numbers, and Air Tractor AT-802 is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Charter Service VIP
Charter Service VIP is a specialized option in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Airbus H125 | A single-engine helicopter used heavily across the rescue and mountain work in career mode. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Companies and hired pilots | Beyond flying yourself you can found an aviation company, buy aircraft into its fleet and hire AI pilots to run contracts you do not want to fly. |
How to Play Charter Service VIP
Charter Service VIP focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Airbus H125 and Companies and hired pilots pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Search and Rescue: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Skydive once you understand core mechanics and have access to Cessna 172 Skyhawk
- Keep a Aerial Firefighting setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Charter Service VIP for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Aim for touchdown under 200 feet per minute of vertical speed. That is the threshold for the landing bonus, and anything above 400 feet per minute counts as a hard landing with maintenance consequences.
- Be stabilised by 500 feet above ground level or go around. The career scoring treats a rushed approach and a salvaged landing worse than a clean second attempt.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Guides
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Overview
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Tier List
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Walkthrough
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Beginner's Guide
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Tips & Tricks
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Weapons Guide
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Combat Guide
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Boss Guide
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Maps & Locations
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Crafting Guide
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Classes & Characters
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