The Air Race expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator finally has a release date, giving the community an exact arrival time for the DLC that has been hovering just over the horizon. The Reno Air Races expansion was announced during Gamescom this year, and the developers confirmed two DLC available for purchase that would soon land in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Reno Air Races: Expansion Pack and the Reno Air Races: Full Collection were both scheduled for a Fall 2021 release date, though the exact arrival time was anyone’s guess. And as is with the airline industry, fans were worried about delays. Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Top Gun expansion was delayed to match the film’s 2022 release. The DLC will add Pete “Maverick” Mitchell to the flight simulator and is now supposed to release around the movie’s May 27 theatrical debut.
When Microsoft Flight Simulator announced its competitive multiplayer racing mode at Gamescom 2021, it teased the partnership between Microsoft’s simulator with the Reno Air Racing Association. The association runs the STIHL National Championship Air Races, which features head-to-head airplane contests, with speeds exceeding 500 mph. Microsoft Flight Simulator’s next big DLC will allow players to jump into the cockpit during one of these high-speed bouts, as they race against other pilots in mid-air. The Microsoft Flight Simulator Air Race expansion is set to be the game’s biggest update so far, though the developers have kept a tight lid on the exact release date. Until now.
According to Xbox, the Air Race expansion for Microsoft Flight Similar will land on November 18, with both the Reno Air Races: Expansion Pack and Reno Air Races: Full Collection dropping into the Microsoft store. The update adds a large collection of “highly authentic recreations of many of the world’s most famous racing aircraft.” The Reno Air Races: Full Collection brings “40 officially licensed aircraft,” to Microsoft Flight Simulator, such as the P-51 Mustang, the T-6 Texans, the L-39 Albatross, and the Aviat Pitts Special S1S. Each new airplane for Microsoft Flight Simulator will have 10 different variations included, such as champions from the STIHL National Championships.
The collection grants the opportunity to fly champion aircraft like Miss America, Strega, Voodoo, Baron’s Revenge, and Pipsqueak, among other “Gold” champions and top racers. The Reno Air Races: Full Collection costs $59.99, however, Microsoft has provided a cheaper alternative for those with a competitive edge. While the Reno Air Races: Expansion Pack does not include the 40 high-class aircraft, it does include the online multiplayer racing experience, as well as “four highly detailed starter aircraft.”
Players can finally test their flying prowess against other players in Microsoft Flight Simulator when the Air Race expansion releases on November 18. The aircraft renders included in both the full collection and the expansion pack are officially licensed. The developers worked closely with the Reno Air Racing Association and its pilots to virtually replicate the famous racing aircraft.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has many new updates incoming and the development team has a lengthy schedule, especially as the Air Racing expansion gets its landing gear ready. There are several more DLC inbound, such as the addition of helicopters sometime in 2022. The simulator’s dedicated community might have to wait long for future updates, but until then, they’ll have plenty to experience with the new Air Racing expansion.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Series X/S and PC. The Air Race Expansion drops on November 18.
Source: Xbox