Evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator (NEW) [1982-2023]

It’s unbelievable how much Microsoft Flight Simulator has evolved from 1982 to 2022, this is the Evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator! ✈️
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00:00 Intro
01:11 Origins
01:52 Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0
02:49 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2.0
03:19 Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0
03:57 Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0
05:00 Microsoft Flight Simulator 98
05:25 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2000
07:13 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002
08:00 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004
08:40 Microsoft Flight Simulator X
10:34 Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Credits
Microsoft Flight Simulator History Movie: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
by Josef Havlík
Microsoft Flight Simulator: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
Microsoft Flight Simulator - United States: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
Microsoft Flight Simulator - 40th Anniversary: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
Microsoft Flight Simulator - Xbox Series: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
Microsoft Flight Simulator - Asia, and The Middle East: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
Microsoft Flight Simulator - Japan World Update Trailer: • Microsoft Flight Simul...
by Xbox
1982 Microsoft Flight Simulator trailer: • 1982 (1984) Microsoft...
by Mike Rivest
IL-2 Sturmovik: • IL-2 Sturmovik (2000 /...
by Campion pe Sate
IL2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad Trailer: • IL2 Sturmovik: Battle ...
by GAME
Flight Simulator X: • IDIOT PILOTS in Flight...
by Airforceproud95
Halo: Reach: • Halo : Reach | Remembe...
by moviemaniacsDE
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: • Video
by Flight Sim
Top Gun: Maverick: • Top Gun: Maverick | NE...
by Paramount Pictures
Feature Discovery Series Episode 2: Weather: • Feature Discovery Seri...
Partnership Series: Blackshark.ai: • Partnership Series: Bl...
by Microsoft Flight Simulator
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 VR: • Video
by Variable
My name is Thomas and I’m the creator of these animations. I put a lot of hours and effort in my animations. More evolution animations are coming soon! Subscribe to stay updated with my newest animations: / @flatlife
Business contact: [e-mail]

[@StreetComp]

I’ve been flying since late 80s and I never once said the graphics/audio on this is terrible, it was the opposite in fact - we were amazed that such a thing existed and every new version just added to that amazement, and we just accepted the low frame rate as that was the best our computers could do and still enjoyed all the hours spent with it.

[@Swami504]

It's true! Each new update was "WOW!"

[@MyBlueZed]

In F117 the smoke was displayed as polygons. In iRacing now the youngsters complain if the tyre smoke looks the same as engine smoke. 🤭🤭

[@StreetComp]

@Lana it could run on a potato 😁 that one had me laughing. But it is weird how we accept new tech as being amazing and think of our world as being very modern. How could people have lived or done anything at all without a smartphone?! The weirdest thing is that people alive in 2122 will look back at 2022 like we do at 1922, that seems almost insulting! Lol

[@onlyapawn4371]

@Lana My potato just crashed.

[@rgm4646]

I have also been playing FS since the 80s. It was pretty darn amazing back then, now its almost unbelievable. I was very excited about the xbox SX port because I didn't want to deal with the uncertainty, of the current version running on my PC. Its nice to just download/update and play, and with the Velocity one flight yoke its even better.

[@Steamy1223]

Microsoft flight simulator is still rapidly growing, 2023 is going to be the biggest year for the sim with many many third party aircraft and other Addons in the making currently, like the FBW A380X

[@sergamespl]

we already have A320 from Fenix, 737 600, 700, 800. 900 is coming soon as well as 777 and 747! So much is going on right now

[@blindsight_music_]

the Fenix A320 and PMDG 737 are currently the closest you can get to a real airplane in desktop simulation. the level of simulation is utterly uncomprehensible. it’s insane how close to the real thing you can get.

[@ahalfsesameseedbun7472]

Not to mention the upcoming November update.

[@Timewalker13]

imagine they add the space shuttle sometime

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

@@ahalfsesameseedbun7472 update

[@404-AnimationYT]

Your channel is one of the few underrated and 'hidden' gems on KZbin; I am beyond belief on how these videos dont get the recognition they deserve

[@Ieathotdogs]

true i agree really good comment 👌

[@Flatlife]

Thank you so much, sometimes I honestly don't know what to say to compliments like this

[@traofficial0015]

Yeah it's very interesting

[@NO-1-U-NO]

@@Flatlife 🙂🤝 THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS!!!!!

[@roaarylion5214]

If he got 1 mill then I have 30k

[@cdarw]

Thank you for putting this together. I was a senior in HS in 1983/84 playing FS on a Commodore 64. The improvement in graphics over 40 years has been breathtaking! Your video chronicles this journey perfectly!

[@5dmkiii60]

What a trip down memory lane. I started with SubLogic's FS and I've bought and owned every single version of FS you showed in this video. I remember being "blown away" by the improvements in each release. I also remember having to build or buy a new computer for each release as well in order to have the computer H.P. needed to fly each new version at its best. I've been a sim junkie since the first one (licensed pilot here) and enjoy it now more than ever. Thanks for this great vid. I remember each version so well. hahah

[@bardo0007]

Same here, remember all the old graphics cards and memory chips I had to buy to upgrade my PC. That was a part of the fun.

[@xgtwb6473]

Can't imagine your reaction when you saw the latest one 😂

[@Eagle-od1im]

Glad you mentioned IL2 as a notable competition to MFS. Even 20 years on the original is one of my all-time favourite games. The graphics still hold up to this day and the modding community helps keep it alive

[@LievenSerge]

I can't believe how amazed I was playing FS3 as a kid. My memory of its graphics exceed its reality by a landslide. lol

[@samucarafael]

2:24 I think we all thinked the same

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️,

[@freeman038]

The best thing MSFS brought to me is VR. I purchased my first VR headset just to enhance my fly experience in MSFS. Then I realized how amazing VR itself is.

[@kyles5960]

Same

[@Nissan300zx94]

Best part is how seamless and easy it is to enable/disable

[@MyNameWasTom]

I'm surprised that in the span of 40 years the graphics have improved this much

[@Eric_B_59]

Thank you for sharing this. Brought back fond memories as I had each of the MSFS as they came out.

[@thatguy7085]

I had that 1982 program 🙂 I played it on a military computer on my ship in the superstructure of an aircraft carrier in a tiny closet. I’ve had every MicroSoft sim after that.

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️

[@ChiranjeevPatra2022]

I've always loved Flatlife's videos. They are always highly detailed and informative. Looking forward for more informative videos. Keep it up!

[@Flatlife]

Thank you! Many more to come soon ;)

[@RunRun3679]

Me toooo !

[@copyandpaste2926]

Same

[@B3burner]

What a wonderful nostalgic trip down memory lane. I came on board relatively late with FS2002, but have made up for lost time rather quickly.

[@staleAv]

8:44 air force proud 95 lol. also, when you play the msfs2020 theme in the background, it just brings this feeling of joy in my heart i cant describe.

[@sjoldzic10]

I thought his name was PlaneForce94 😂

[@itsdan722]

GroundPound69

[@Eddiechege60]

Isn't it from fsx

[@mysteriouspikachuman]

'The experience has improved somewhat since the original version' 8-bit pixel art to virtual world in the corner of your room, definitely an improvement but just a little bit.

[@NO-1-U-NO]

🙂👍 Excellent job on the update to this evolution! 😄👊 The "Flatlife" KZbin Channel deserves at least a million subscribers!

[@laurentsamson8927]

You did a remarkable job to show how insane this flight simulator become from his very first edition until today. I began with version 3.0. After 2 years on MSFS2020, I realize how deeply fanatic I was to find these earlier versions interesting to play. It's worst than comparing TV Shows on an old 320*200 TV Set vs Wide 4K Screens of today.

[@StratMatt777]

Yes, but we were flying!!!! As teens!! It was amazing.

[@johncarr123]

Thank you for making this video. Brings back a lot of memories.

[@F0X1F]

Love your videos! The editing is just Wow!

[@ganymedes62]

I remember from back in the day creating many, many liveries for 3rd party aircraft to fill the skies and the airports. I actually created the liveries for all but one of all the BBJ's and BBJ2's flying around at that time. I worked with a few developers to make sure that the base look of the aircrafts matched the real thing. It was truly a fun time.

[@Blazeknight_YT]

Another flatlife video. This is going to be awesome!

[@VandiMore]

i can't believe how much your videos have helped me, thanks!

[@official_itsmefour]

I love ur channel ever since I’ve started watching ur channel I’ve been obsessed with ur videos

[@dibrandembabadem7091]

Well,I enjoyed your flying trip on this video flatlife.You're the best youtuber!Your videos are entertaining and educating to watch.Keep up man!👍👍

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️.

[@moriver3857]

I stopped playing MSFS after the 5.1 version after becoming a technician/engineer on high end full flight simulators for various airlines. But had lots of fun flying it in the mid eighties, and beyond.

[@rynndash]

Omg love this video and the last one thanks for making it 😁

[@Mr.Penguin1238]

Your videos never fail to make me smile. Keep up the good work! 👍

[@ggre55]

Man your videos your voice fits just perfect Please don't ever stop providing us such amazing content

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️,.

[@DarkbloomVis]

You are killing it with videos lately, keep it coming!

[@antonbernad952]

Nice video, thanks for your upload!

[@mathijsdsv8780]

Riders on the storm!! This is incredible! Subscribed

[@muskiet8687]

Microsoft did throw in the spin-off "Microsoft Flight" in 2012. Not many liked it's limited scenery and planes, but it did look fantastic for the time and introduced the Icon A5 to flight simulators, which is now again one of the free aircraft.

[@labradoodleparadies]

This is certainly one of the best, clean, straightforward informative videos that I have seen about a product and its' history.

[@moleman172]

Agreed.

[@cadencastlee]

One of my favorite videos thank you Flatlife

[@portugal2026.]

your channel is amazing for learning things in a fun way

[@SkyDomeVIZE]

Wow.. very detailed... Brings back memories. I had flight simulator 2000 personally.

[@HarrierPanels]

Great review of the Evolution of Microsoft Flight Simulator! Gotta give credit to the awesome addons, both free and paid, that level up the sim. These addons have been a game-changer since Microsoft Flight Simulator 98, and they deserve a big shoutout for their role in the sim's evolution. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@mariohnyc]

I loved that game mode mentioned @ 2:30 . that got me interested in the sim. i remember doing missions by taking off from home base runway, flying over mountains, attack enemy planes/targets, and then return to home base, land, rearm and refuel, and go again.

[@ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the look back! I've had every version, and still have most of them. :)

[@somethingvoc]

The best channel for evolutions! Thank you for uploading this new one.

[@Pilot_Jeff]

This channel is underated! Keep up the great work

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️,

[@errob7006]

Wow Great video flatline I love these animations

[@oockeshoek1122]

awesome pieces of history man!

[@tucsonlivestream3203]

I had been hoping for a nice history of FS, and this one is great. You didn’t mention the third party programs that grew up with FS. For me the game changer was PMDG MD-11 for FS 2004. I had never seen anything like that - it blew me away.

[@envitech02]

The first sim I played was MSFS98. I love the Extra 300 and "Checkerboard Approach" into Hong Kong Kai Tak. This blossomed in a love affair with flying which culminated in me earning a PPL in 2015.

[@Jim-tv2tk]

Nice video. Really brings back some memories.

[@dawsonmod]

What a fantastic video! Well done 🫡

[@dylanmcgill9544]

Don't ever stop producing such good quality videos it's crazy that you guys still don't 1 million subscribers you guys are awesome keep up the amazing work

[@sky173]

Hard to believe I've owned almost every version of MS Flight Sim. It's quite amazing to see what we have today. I never thought I would see the day. Great video. Thx for sharing.

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️

[@rbj3672]

Fantastic video, very well done!

[@spladam3845]

Don't know how I JUST found this video, but I've been wanting this video for a while. Great sim shots, just fantastic shots. I owned the original Sublogic flight sim, as well as Jet, and had a sublogic poster in my room with the pilot helmet reflecting the game screen. Lots of good memories, ran those at 15fps on an 8088.

[@theonlyeye1170]

I’ve started saving for msfs2020 and I’m genuinely looking forward to when I can afford to buy it. At the current rate, I should have enough to buy the game in one and a half weeks

[@jacobras]

If you're going to buy it on Steam, keep an eye out for the sale. It's regularly offered with a nice discount. I'm playing the game through Xbox Game Pass but waiting to pick it up on Steam once it's in sale again.

[@whiteman12]

Xbox game pass has it for a discount or if you’re lucky free! Anyway my computer can’t handle it and I don’t know how to control it because so many buttons

[@JonathanPeel]

Flight Simulator 98 was the first one I played. I remember brining it home, and my dad (who was an airline technician) phoning a friend and saying, "I am at the computer, and literally sitting in a Jumbo cockpit ready to take off".

[@Jonno2summit]

I've been flying Flight Sim since the first edition. It was always the funnest thing ever!

[@Davidcatgaming.yt_subscribe]

Nice video flatlife❤

[@LenHarms]

Great video. No mention of Combat Flight Simulator though?

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️.

[@AC-4764]

Hello, you are the few channel that talk about evolution and facts, but you only have 400K subs, I hope you can get 10M subs, I didn’t find other channel that talk about evolution and facts of almost everything.

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️.

[@STEVENVUEH599]

This channel is so underrated… You need 1M subs right now!

[@es330td]

My uncle had the original FS on an Apple II+. I now have FS:2020 on my PC and have seen most of the versions in between. Thanks for going through the whole series.

[@octaviocampossalles2138]

I, like many others, started on FS 5.0. It was many nights departing and landing at Meig's Field, it felt so realistic back then :)

[@rgm4646]

Yes it did :)

[@DihelsonMendonca]

Yes, too many nights on Meigs field. These are some of my best memories in life. 🎉🎉❤

[@mattsgamesstreams6189]

Flight Sim 2004 is what got me into planes, I think I was only 7 or 8 years old when my parents got me that. Then they got me Flight Sim X, now I have MSFS 2020

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️

[@edifyguy]

I'm a little surprised I sat through this whole infomercial, but it was well done, and there's no question, 2020 is beautiful. I played a different 80s flight sim, Chuck Yeager's Advanced Flight Trainer, for many, many hours over many years of my childhood. It has created an itch to fly that will probably never really get scratched, but I'm grateful for the opportunities that sims provide.

[@bintangMuhammadRadjaNugroho]

Excellent great job!

[@aviation3507]

3:50 got me dying😂😂

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️,

[@Apixelatedhedset]

Yeah lol

[@adonisaseem]

One best thing about flight sims is unlike car racing or shooting games it doesn't damage your brain and you can play for long hours without feeling any fatigue.

[@jb894]

doing long haul flights is a bit tiring ;)

[@jcreature11]

It gets boring tho. I can play racing all day and be fine. To me. It’s awesome that u love it tho!!!

[@enriquetitan06]

That baby tiger popping out from the back of the objects waiting to wave is so cute!

[@deans4512]

That’s so awesome man and 👏🔥🔥🔥

[@vpchx]

Time flies when having fun. Memories go back to Sublogic FS II for the Commodore 64. I designed my own VOR approach chart for Kankakee Airport as it was the only serious airport in the Illinois area featuring a real black coloured (asphalt) runway instead of the 'white lines in the green' found everywhere else ;-). And still happy at that time with what was available back then.

[@OldAussieAds]

I used to play Flight Simulator II as well, just on the Atari XE. I couldn’t believe they made this work within 64K of RAM. The main frustration was its bad frame rate and the graphics lack of depth, where you couldn’t really tell your altitude without looking at your instruments.

[@gastonpossel]

FS2000: "AI was improved to avoid collisions while taxiing" FS2020: yeah, about that...

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️,

[@GamerDylan1]

Thanks for the new version!

[@hugok2002]

Flatlife how do you not have a million subscribers it’s like watching movies with these quality videos ily man not weird😅

[@figgy945]

In the newest version, I got to fly over my city and Hometown, and I was just blown away at how they got everything right

[@hvacmike1175]

At this point in technology the entire world has been mapped with video as well. Google earth will take you anywhere on the globe with the touch of your finger.

[@mizzyroro]

What I love about the sim is every version is so jawdroppingly stunning for the time it is released.

[@sjoldzic10]

8:50 Hey look! You included GroundPound69's channel! Love that dude lol 😂❤

[@paulis7319]

Excellent breakdown! I wish the option of a full motion cockpit was mentioned. That's my bucket list item someday.

[@cleekmaker00]

Still using FS 2004 today. The new MSFS looks fantastic. But, I'll continue to use FS 2004 because it works for what I want it to do, and there's a trove of Community made add ons to enhance the FS 2004 environment.

[@NWA744]

The unfortunate part about that is all of your scenery addons are at least 10 years out of date.

[@Ryu1478]

​@@NWA744sadly, but if you want to make a video or a flight that is based like a decade ago, then it's perfect, it's also the same problem for FSX since there's isn't a really a non outdated free AI traffic addons for the sim other than AIFP or WOA

[@houting931]

Starting from FS95, FS98, FS2000, FS2002, then finally FS2004. Over almost 20 years, I installed and kept FS2004 in my PC generation to generation. Although FSX Steam version was brought several years ago, I still prefer the legendary FS2004. The new FS2020 looks awesome but I've not brought it yet since I'm not sure if it's really a "simulator" like FS2004/FSX or more like a game with great graphics.

[@KyrilPG]

It's both ! Those who want the game type will be happy and the serious simmers will be tripping with Fenix or PMDG payware addons or FBW freeware and several others. The only reason to stay on FS2004 would be rare discontinued and incompatible addons or a very low specs and dated config. (And also pure nostalgia). MSFS2020 has been released for long enough now to have already matured and be complemented by amazing addons. Check some KZbin channels of actual Airbus and Boeing pilots that are having a blast on MSFS2020 with excellent addons. I can list some if you need. They are amazed by the level of realism of the sim ! Also, the sim is constantly evolving and upgrading with new refined scenery and functionalities. They have a dynamic community with feedback too. Really, if you have a good configuration or the money to upgrade it, MSFS2020 is well worth the effort. Which FS2004 addons are you clinging on ?

[@shark3744]

MSFS's flight model outshines what FSX and FS9 are capable of. It's arguably more of a sim than those two.

[@NWA744]

MSFS2020 isn't just a game with pretty graphics, it is vastly superior to FS2004 in just about every possible way.

[@KyrilPG]

And if you need further proof, just have a look on this video from the development team describing computational fluid dynamics and propeller simulation in updates : "Feature Discovery Series Episode 12: Aerodynamics" (I can't put the link here without being deleted) MSFS2020 is a real advanced sim with all the bells and whistles of a real sim AND features of a game, plus absolutely stunning graphics. It's a powerful tool that can be used to the liking of the user, whether he or she wants to be a hardcore simmer or a casual player. That's why MSFS2020 is such a step up, it unified eye candy and real simulation without any tradeoffs. And it'll only get better with the continual upgrade and real community feedback. It's very close to what most of us have dreamed of a simulator for decades : an evolving powerful platform guided by a development team that communicates and listens to the users. You can clearly see both aspects of MSFS2020 in the updates and feedback pages (Sim Updates being more technical and sim oriented, World Updates being more eye candy and one could say "game" oriented). Finally, many oppose great graphics or gaming features to real proper sim features and capabilities. It's a huge mistake, at least in the case of MSFS2020, as the developers managed to deliver a true simulator with stunning graphics, and additional gaming features without opposing any them. It's the full package !

[@houting931]

One of the reason I have doubts about FS2020 is it lacked replay function when released (according to various reviews). Since there are so many users with positive comments now, I guess it's time to enter the world again. ** Actually I was one of the authors of Taiwan sceneries of FS2004 (you may search "El Formosa" in avsim) many years ago. My gmax is covered in dust now.

[@renaudcag]

Beautiful work ! I fell in love with aviation 20 years ago thanks to FS. Today, I am flying the 747. The dream came true !

[@andrewsolo2561]

Thanks!! Great video!!

[@XShadowCatzX]

dude i’m so glad you included a clip from one of airforceproud’s videos. He definitely deserves more recognition and why don’t you have a million subs yet?

[@etsfan1863]

Well, although the MSFS has really great graphics, Xplane is much more simulator in terms of physics, failures etc...

[@guywholikesplanes]

Do you mean native support, or just addons? PS: I recommend taking a look at PMDG's failure model for the 737.

[@etsfan1863]

@@guywholikesplanes I don't talk about add-ons. Also the Xplane has much more failure options than the MSFS

[@guywholikesplanes]

@@etsfan1863 Oh, I might look into that, thanks! But as a VFR pilot, I love using my own charts and doing some low an slow flying in MSFS.

[@etsfan1863]

@@guywholikesplanes yes for VFR MSFS is definitely better... I wish they could make a game of these two combined...

[@guywholikesplanes]

@@etsfan1863 Here's hoping

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Cool video. I've never played any of them but the new one looks amazing.

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️,

[@rixxy9204]

Played since FS1.0 Didn't know how to do anything in that game, but the Europe 1917 model was really fun and blowing up enemy planes into tiny dots ironically got me into flying.

[@ahmedk_akv2]

No doubt this game was a total game changer in the whole gaming history.

[@the_real_c14yt0n]

MFS players: We had to wait 14 years for the next game. Metroid players: First time?

[@ChevyBM]

In the FS98 you had to put it it full screen mode to get the 3D card working, that old Voodoo 3DFX that was paired up with the SVGA card :D I miss those days!

[@ferrabras]

Holly Plane! Old memories came around. I've joined the journey in 1982 and played FS1, FS4, FS98, FSX and now FS2020.

[@pancake5830]

i love msfs2020, but it certainly isnt that realistic in comparison to games such as dcs i prefer just exploring the beautiful scenery and admiring all the little details

[@wovkonstudios]

Whos watching in 2024? -->

[@MrMichaelcacking]

Me

[@Burnbtrab2.0]

Me

[@dedster3164]

"Give me useless likes bcs for some reason i want them!"

[@theundeniedhugo]

meee

[@Royaloakanimations]

Me

[@mentalist0808]

Dont stop with videos KEEP YOUR CHANNEL GO UP UP UP

[@LAINESPA80]

Hɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ ✍️✍️

[@jajasaria]

you deserve to have a million subscribers. love every each of your video's

[@mishabob-2913current]

This channel is amazing

[@c88rrado]

Perfect video!

[@cheeseplays1932]

I love the type of cartoon style videos you have

[@MrGeforcerFX]

grew up playing 98, 2000, 2002, and 2004, still have all my discs and was so happy to get the metal tin edition of 2004. I loved X but waited until accelerated came out to buy it since my computer would have never handled it in 2006. I even enjoyed Microsoft Flight in 2011/12, not a full on sim but a fun game none the less.

[@ioto4563]

keep the work up!

[@LeoWhalen1933]

Awesome. Thanks ❤

[@thehomedepot.004]

You are awesome! you need more credit

[@jui79]

Thanks a lot for this vid! Amazing history. Played many of the versions. I really hope for the next big weather update. Sadly gliders cannot visually see thermic lifts based on clouds.