Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) Full Review!

After 14 long years, a new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator is finally here! How does it compare with its previous iterations, its competition, and reality? As a newly minted real-life commercial pilot myself, I was anxious to see how well it compares to the real world it claims to simulate. Microsoft has promised every single airport in the world, advanced flight modeling and weather effects and realistic, satellite-based scenery. Does it keep those promises? Let's find out!
I do anticipate editing this description as questions/concerns pop up!
In case you're wondering, here are the specs of my PC:
AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
NVidia GeForce RTX 2060
Sabrent Rocket 1TB NVMe PCIe SSD
16GB RAM
Happy to answer questions in the comments! Any FAQs, I will probably add here or in a pinned comment.
00:00 Intro
03:08 Menus and options
08:55 Setting up a flight plan (IFR)
11:30 Departing from an airport
15:58 The world and its airports
19:53 IFR approach
22:37 Stupid stuff #1 - landing in front of my house
26:10 Stupid stuff #2 - landing a 747 at Lukla
28:53 Weather
32:20 KFRG comparison with my previous videos and real life
33:27 Autopilot discussion
39:57 747 at Lukla again and conclusion

[@petermarshall7753]

Yes, I used to play with Microsoft flight sim 2004, wish it was like this then. I have never flown in real life. At 82 ...... well I can watch other’s videos. I still have my 2007 CDs

[@petermarshall7753]

Opps I ment 2004 CDs

[@jsnjcnt]

Awesome

[@learning2013]

Somebody help this young fellow get airborne. Honestly if you go to your local flight instruction school they will give you a ride free.

[@themupproductions2273]

Same here, Microsoft flight sim 2004 was the first one I ever played, I still have the cds for it and everything. Incredible how advanced it has gotten through the years, and really cool. Hope you get airborne soon in real life!

[@GuinessOriginal]

Get a New PC and the latest one

[@Rick-Williams59]

Great video. My dad was an instructor and had me, and both my brothers, flying his Cessna 150 and 172 by the time we were 14-15 years old. I love the freedom of flying single engine aircraft. I'm 63 now and haven't flown in 20 years, but I still have never forgot the training my dad put us through and the respect he had for flying. I never flew any thing larger than a Cherokee 6. My dad was a pilot for hire for a while and he flew multi-engine airplanes, I wish I'd went on to the multi-engine airplanes, but life came around and we all know how that goes, I look back and wonder where the years have gone. Safe flying.

[@2ExoticZa]

In real life?

[@karannsyt]

Do you play flight simulator 2020? I really hope you do because I think you would love it and I loved reading your story, technology is just fascinating and amazing ❤️

[@scorlingonzalez9003]

imagine a game where all the cities in the world were saved in a cloud and after a long flight you could drive around the city would be the ultimate exploration game even if there was nothing to do just for the scenery

[@jstan28100]

Oh just wait on it. That will be the peak of virtual/alternate reality

[@xjonnybro]

Gta VI

[@aaronwu1153]

just play this and then start up GTA V after you land

[@robertreynolds9961]

I think this is why gta 6 is not here yet. Theyrecwaiting for the tech to do a huge world of multiple cities

[@kibareh2606]

@@aaronwu1153 lmao 😂

[@evifnoskcaj]

Video Starts at 0:00 😉 Solid review! ❤️

[@JamboneCrew]

Not only the best FS yet, not only the best review I've seen of a flight simulator, but the best non-professional narration ever!

[@pauldacumia7258]

its the best fs now lol

[@jerryrush892]

Non-professional? The guy has a pilots license...that might not be his full time job, but that makes him a professional.

[@JamboneCrew]

@@jerryrush892 I was referring to his narrator's voice, not his professional knowledge.

[@MykeBatez]

Really well done review. I’m not a pilot, and have never played a flight sim but this video sparked some flight wanderlust in me. Cheers!

[@bigalexg]

Fantastic review! I've had the game for two weeks but this is my first proper intro the game and I really learned a lot the game itself had left unexplained.

[@teebee4992]

Simply THE BEST Flight Sim video I have seen and I have gone thru an awful lot here on KZbin.

[@hawkeye454]

So good to see another Modern classic video! Hope you have been doing well my friend.

[@tctoguy]

This review is just what I've been looking for!! Thanks!

[@bigstupidgrin]

Awesome to watch your perspective on flight sims!

[@jonnysupreme]

Video starts at 3:00 .... or whatever 😂

[@zombrz]

Jesus loves you:)

[@anandsuralkar2947]

@@zombrz real people love me

[@noahwilson851]

@@anandsuralkar2947 So edgy

[@AndyMcGeever]

3:10 That's a lot of time on a cross country

[@calebreagan3588]

Jesus loves you still. Even if he isn't a "real people" 🤣 you'll never escape the love LLLOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

[@JudahMaccabee_]

Now *THIS* is a review! Thank you sir!

[@KeithvanDijk]

Brilliant review, much appreciated. Retired now, go gliding at the local club on weekends. Your review brought back so many memories of FS1, 8 bit graphics, minimal frame rate, much hanging around in mid-air whilst the PC was buffering. We've come a long way, can't wait for take off.

[@HurricaneXXIII]

Awesome to see you uploading new content! 👍🏽

[@Applecompuser]

I had the Sub Logic sim on my Atari 800. I was impressed it works and would often show it, but did not use it much. That said, it felt like a long time before products like Garmin or even built in GPS entered the real world. Love your vids!

[@TheRidgeChannel]

Great to see you back. I loved Flight Sim.. ,

[@davegallop9357]

Thank you. It's really nice to hear from a reviewer that isn't being 'coached'. I'm only VFR rated so something with a little more realistic scenery is great, so thanks MS for that. I didn't want to put my wallet content into something I have only seen the hype about so your review is exceptionally valuable, again; thanks.

[@rafaeldiazus]

Great review! Thank you for uploading this.

[@kopibin9532]

thanks this is an awesome review which i just rode along on. Purchasing my MSFS now!

[@jakedunnegan]

Awesome video - and getting feedback from an actual pilot is very cool. Thoughts on a video with suggested profile settings for each plane type? (single prop, airliner, etc)? :)

[@jnorm0075]

amazing. thanks for the walkthrough. I just bought it. you helped a bunch

[@toribarron5700]

This is just a superb review, and I have watched most of them. Fair, detailed, and a 747 at Lukla.

[@robertmetzger1753]

747 at Lukla ?? I seen a Video of a Big jumbo Jet taking off like an VTOL HARRIER at that little strip in the Himalayan Mountainside there are all kinds of Interesting Airstrios to try and Take Off and Land at !!

[@EEESRAINMAN]

I've been absolutely loving the sim. This is my first time playing a flight sim, and it's been awesome. Had to watch a lot of videos to figure out how to work different systems, but it's been worth it. TBM 930 is definitely my favorite plane to fly

[@ModernClassic]

I've only tried that plane once or twice in the sim... now that the review's done, I'll give it another go. A lot of people seem to like it.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

That is a great plane along with any piston powered GA airplane. I fly professionally and the jets are extremely overpowered. Not a fan of any jet in the game. The TBM is great. I saw this is your first sim. I make tutorials on how to do approaches and everything flying related. My goal is to bring my real world knowledge into FS2020 but to make it easy for people to understand. You might find it beneficial and enjoy your sim experience more. Happy virtual flying!

[@MrAnthonyfrench]

What a fantastic video 👏 Calm, collected and to the point. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@LowOnCash]

Dude Absolutely the best most informative Sim video out there - your manner and expression is priceless - thanks

[@CristianCalhoun]

A BIG thank you, Captain, AWESOME review! :)))

[@ericcsuf]

Great review. Honest appraisal that gives me some insight that helps with a buying decision. The price of the sim is inconsequential, but the cost of the hardware upgrade has my head spinning :)

[@stuartnoel5149]

Flying that low in an airbus in NYC... You’d give the world a heart attack.

[@flyssimulation]

LOL

[@incumbentvinyl9291]

Stuart Noel They're used to it...

[@Baleur]

Search youtube for "jet low fly over city" etc. There are actually mad-lads (or careless lads) doing this irl, sometimes in military jets, flying extremely close to the coastline of skyscrapers at lower than 500 feet. How they got permission to do that, i dont know. But the videos are out there, and its insane.

[@SenpaiMisha]

I got the game on New Years as a Birthday gift and dear god is it beautiful. I love to just fly around while having music playing

[@angelesqueda2008]

Is it for xbox 1s ??

[@tentaklaus9382]

@@angelesqueda2008 I heard it’s due to be available on the Xbox too.

[@felixschlenbecker3104]

Do you need rudder pedals and a joystick to to play or can u use keyboard and mouse??

[@SenpaiMisha]

Felix Schlenbecker you can use mouse and keyboard but I find it easier to use an Xbox controller as I have a 15inch gaming laptop which lacks the number pad

[@JJ-fk7br]

I really hope that these types of simulator will have a tutorial part, a step by step on what to click to start and airplane, what the buttons are for, how to land, speed to land, etc. Like an online class on how to be a pilot. hahaha

[@camilotorregroza]

What a sick monitor !!!!! thank you so much for the review definitely decide to buy it !!!! I enjoy a lot the Video

[@TheGreenGamer-jg9hx]

I hope you keep making videos your a grate youtuber!

[@AynOtori]

This is THE BEST review out there. Well done.

[@baf_mcnab3065]

Fantastic review and lots of fun too. Hadn't seen a short field take off, nay drop off, like that for a long time. Yes we have all done the LUKLA things in previous versions of the sim, but man it looks beautiful in this new version. Thanks for taking the time to upload this and for all of the insights you provided.

[@x0311ofone]

He said woops LOL You got me to subscribe just by that comment alone LOL. Life is fun times so thank you I needed that genuine funny moment.

[@tercorbin1]

great job!! keep up the good work

[@pierrelofinusound3020]

BEST REVIEW EVER ! Thanks a lot

[@GoatGirl314]

Great video. I've been playing flight simulator on Xbox for quite some time now and I'm currently moving to PC with a full flight setup. I'm about to start school for my PPL and I look forward to flying in real life!

[@bunnybabybevytv6434]

Quality video creator worth subscribing with

[@jacktrendell3753]

Just opened this to hear you fly the DA-40 IRL. I fly the DA-40 XLS for fun! It’s such an awesome plane!!!!!

[@Baleur]

This game is just as jawdropping as FSX was back in the day. I used to sit in my lonely apartment on cold winter days, booting up FSX and flying from Seoul to Narita in a 747, landing at night in the rain over the sprawl of Tokyo. An incredible experience, with the ATC, the AI planes, the whole experience. And i'm happy to report it is equally (more) stunning in FS2020. The thing about this game is that, its not just about the visuals, its about the entire experience. Microsoft (and the devs they pick / guide) somehow manages to create a special experience in the FS games, that "feels" totally different from X-Plane or any other flight sim. It truly "feels" like you're in the real world, with the weather, winds, clouds, and ATC chattering away at AI (or real player) planes. It is completely immersive in a way that other flight sims cant even come close to. Even if someone were to technically show that a new X-Plane release was more physically accurate, i wouldnt care. I play for the experience of being in a living breathing world. And that is what Microsoft consistenly delivered the best experience for, decade after decade.

[@anatomyconspiracy9416]

Excellent review!

[@I_Am_McZee]

Damn! Good job honestly!

[@gjk1988]

ur voice reminds me to "Dear Esther".... peacefull and deep, thanks for that

[@bryan9361]

Great video! It would be awesome if they added additional training to what they already have. It might be fun for those like myself who dont have actual flight experience

[@timsmith5980]

Great idea Bryan perhaps you can mention it on the Flight Simulator forum and the Asobo twitter account! In the meantime I have found the 320 sim pilot channel to give detailed instruction along with the Pilot Emilie channel and finally V1 Simulations. There is also I believe a downloadable book at sofly.io website which I am told is very good and currently costs just over seven pounds!

[@incognito4rico]

Great review, entertaining also. Thanks

[@lawrencepfeffer8073]

Very helpful! You should be proud.

[@chrisayala9871]

Cant wait to play it once it finishes downloading since last week..

[@SHELLEYSOLOMON10]

This is a great video. I'm curious to know which steering controller you're using on your desk?

[@mattsbicyclerepair1413]

Easily the best review. Thank you for your input.

[@alexchristoff4634]

Wonderful tutorial thank you. Real-world C172 G-1000 pilot here as well.

[@jmerey]

Nice to know Kevin Spacey is keeping busy Great video, really enjoyed that.

[@runeb4440]

Thx a lot for this review, got some hard neded laughs along the ride 😎😆👍👍👍👍👍😎🎄

[@anew742]

"wallowing like a platypus" I don't know why that line is so funny to me lol

[@paradisefilms3355]

An interesting analogy!

[@joshuadaniel5673]

A laughed when I heard it as well.

[@challengecoins4u]

I lost it when you said you would drive through the guy since he is not paying attention LOL

[@igotyoubeat]

Just got this game; had the FSX a few years back. Found it to be fun and while landing is a challenge it all came back to me. I also have the Logitech flight yoke and throttle quadrant. The install was a nightmare; 128Gb game; update 108Gb, and another 90gb in the deluxe package

[@neoasura]

This is how Pilotwings 64 looked to me when I first played it.

[@gufdrrh]

I loved pilot wings on the N64 😁

[@speedbird123]

Decent review. Well done

[@MagicFerret69]

Great review, one thing I would have liked though are your thoughts on the training. I am a complete noob and would love to hear your thoughts on this

[@humandroid53]

Excellent detailed review.

[@21mozzie]

1:33 I had that manual. I loved the maps. I guess it only must have had New York, Chicago, San Francisco (and LA?) Seattle. But it was great looking at a map and deciding to fly from say Meigs to Champaign Urbana using the VOR and ADF beacons.

[@icecreamgecko]

Rereading parts of the real manual for the real aircraft to operate it's counterpart in the "game"... This is not what I expected but it is what I secretly wanted. Thank You very much for this review. This over 40 minute-long video went by in a breeze and I thoroughly enjoyed it. With a heavy heart I am going to wait with the purchase of this title though. Seeing even your proper setup dropping a few frames leads me to believe that I would be seeing nothing more than a slide-show if I tried to run the new MSFS... or end up with a bricked/melted system when the overclocking eventually gives it the rest. Have a great day! ~Greetings from across the pond.

[@Nareimooncatt]

If you're still holding off, I'm currently playing it on an i5-8400 and GTX 1060 3 GB graphics card. You can dial the settings back quite a bit, especially the render scale (similar effect to DLSS and FSR), and still get playable frame rates while looking decent. In low density areas and high altitudes, I get 35-45 fps. That's without doing much to tweak various Windows settings that can help as well. There was also an update that came out after most review videos that people say made big increases in frame rates. I've seen many reporting a 15-20fps improvement (though Manhattan still tanks due to CPU bottlenecks).

[@shawn576]

Great review. This game probably isn't made for people like me, but it's still interesting to hear how it works and what it does right.

[@livelongandprosper70]

great video.. very informative and entertaining

[@richardboulanger3393]

A long time ago, I climbed into the belly of a B-17 that was being restored at Falcon Field. Confederate Air Force. Back when yo ucould just drive out onto the field. Some years after that, when I worked on the pumping plants of the CAP down near Marana, I'd eat lunch at the restaurant there. Awesome grilled cheese with green chilis :) Great review.

[@SeverinSnake]

When you were in that snow storm, my body temp dropped 10 degrees. Psychosomatic!

[@usrmtc5433]

Thanks, man you are awesome

[@joecarollo9837]

Excellent review! Any suggestions on the best home flight simulator system, yoke and pedal setup that will help prepare me for my real life private pilot flight lessons I will be starting in the near future?

[@rbsims6376]

Excellent review. Question: Is the "Progressive Taxi" feature in the new game like FSX, and FS2004? Thank you!

[@SirRobertDole2]

25:48 FYI there is a pause option in developer mode that allows you to turn dials and make adjustments. it's kinda hidden, but it's there at least. Just be aware that turning on developer mode also disables crashes by default, so you'll have to uncheck that as well if you want crash detection

[@peejay1943]

|You are a true flight sim nut! Trying to land a jumbo at Lukla. Congratulations!!

[@Frankestein01nl]

Might want to set sensitivities on the controls... i got mine setup to -54 on a couple of axis to soften the curve, so it's not as twitchy. Great review, and i've also had the same shit happen to me.. they'll get there eventually.

[@tentaklaus9382]

I did a shot every time he said “Microsoft flight simulator” and died before I could even finis

[@keygan9674]

Rest easy man

[@grasss-eater8928]

Ima try that t-

[@S_88888]

Wonderfull video. I'm actually building a new pc, so soon I can play too. Which yoke do you use? Thanks!

[@gscop1683]

Fantastic video review ! Does the sim realistically allow stalls and spins when critical angle of attack is exceeded ?

[@dbclass4075]

For default aircraft, possible though not fully realistic. Study-level aircraft, yes.

[@thecorporatepilotdad]

Nice video by the way. I make FS2020 tutorials and I know the time involved in even making a 10-12 minute video. Your video is 43 minutes long. I am sure that took you quite a long time to make. Good job!

[@robertmorton3141]

Good video...very informative. Question: I want to get a new sim system. Will MSFT Flight Simulator run on Xbox only or can I run it on a fast desktop? Also, any suggestions on which joy stick will work best? Thanks

[@wezleyswift4039]

Yes i'm loving the platform... But your commentary really made the video worth watching.

[@epicfrankie300]

As someone that lives on long island it blew my mind to come across a random video from a random guy talking about sunrise highway of all places in a game that you can go anywhere in the world. I drive on that road everyday lmao

[@jeffcajou76]

I honestly dont have a single clue about what he is talking about, but I like how intricate he is on this review. I enjoyed every minute of this review.

[@bocfat]

wow that was detailed and fun

[@Gideonsmythe]

Ace review thanks. I've had the game for month and learned so much. "I always fly in Live weather" spot someone who isn't from the UK!

[@unemployed64]

the best review sofar to make me stick to P3Dv4 for a long long time. I "fly" in low vis most of the time so VFR is not important. PMDG is therefor the ONLY option to have a realistic sim flight.

[@johnd9031]

Good review. I have FSX and it’s good enough for me.

[@SuperIchweissnix]

Amazing Video .. thank you

[@clspann1]

Very Nice! Just got XBox Series x. Any review or comparison of FS on Xbox?

[@kbguthriehomes2343]

Can you do a review using Bendigo airport in Victoria apparently they have a airport now and it will be cool to see how detailed it is

[@Locutus]

Good video! If I wanted to play non-realisticly, where I don't have to fiddle with every single control, is there an option for that?

[@alcoholic402]

Yes

[@maelo9x]

Great Vid, whats the model of the monitor???

[@fire4908]

The landing was extra awesome 👌👍

[@rayrapp8929]

Great review, thanks. Quick question, does this sim require Steam to run it or rather, can I run it without Steam?

[@DerbyMods]

The 83 dislikes are from people who watched the video, went to download the game, and realized their PC was under the minimum requirements. There's no other reason.

[@nathanclips9081]

119 now

[@jfitnesshealth]

@weikang cai fs2004 + FSET looks almost like fs2020!

[@JimBob1937]

@@jfitnesshealth , someone needs some new glasses.

[@googlefish80]

Only bought this game because I really wanted to see the level of detail. I really want to find Easter Island and take some pictures of it from the air. I already had taken pics of some cities and holy crap the detail is insane. Set graphics to high end (pray your machine can run it of course) and just look at all the details.

[@defect2889]

Great Video...thanks

[@Apemano]

Seriously, some of the hand made stuff just looks real. Cannot wait for the addon content to get going.

[@robertmetzger1753]

Abacus still in Business?

[@williambennett26]

The bit to take home, “you might want to hang on til the bugs are fixed before purchase”

[@NinjaSynFrey]

19:52 This is still an issue on the latest version of the game. Recently, I did an IFR flight from Tokyo to Sendai. By the time I was approaching Sendai, ATC never bothered to acknowledge my approach. It just tells me to keep the same heading even though the airport is literally nearby. But eventually after some time, the game finally recognizes you and gives you the vectors for the approach. Also, even in the ground, ATC fails to give you taxi instructions. I need to exit the game to restart the flight. Wonder what conditions does the game check for the AI to respond. Can't imagine doing a long-haul flight, only to find out the AI for ATC glitches out.

[@lachenmann]

The whole Lakla takeoff and landing really cracked me up lol

[@livelongandprosper70]

To enter active pause, press the *pause* key on the keyboard. (You'll find it on the upper right, on the same row as the 'Print Screen' key.) Upon pressing, the simulation will halt