FS2020: Discovery Flights
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Discovery Flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) are a set of activities which were originally inspired by those who wanted to fly in one of our trailers and later allowed for easy sightseeing of newly-updated sceneries. As of World Update XI: Canada (WU11) (2022-09-28), there are 43 official Discovery Flights in the simulator.
Discovery Flights place you in the most scenic locations on the planet, including awesome locations like the Great Pyramids or Mount Everest, or vibrant cities like Naples or Rio de Janeiro, in optimal weather conditions for you to fly and sightsee at your leisure. You can quickly switch between locations using the Activity tab available from the pause menu. Two additional Discovery Flights are featured with all World Updates available for free within the in-game marketplace.
Mechanics
The Discovery Flights begin with the pre-determined aircraft fully set up at a predefined global coordinate and altitude. Throttles and trims will be pre-set for cruise. The aircraft will be fully fit without any damage and the fuel tanks will be full. Cloud coverage will generally be very clear with excellent visibility.
There are no pre-defined objectives for this activity. The aircraft may be flown for up to several hours before it runs out of fuel if so desired. Additionally, the aircraft can be taken to any nearby airport and landed, or in the case of aircraft equipped with floats landed on water, and neither will end the flight. The only way to end the Discovery Flight is to quit via the main menu or crash the aircraft.
List of Discovery Flights
Mount Everest
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Beechcraft King Air 350i at a starting altitude of 25,000 ft (7,620 m).
| “ | Mount Everest, the planet's highest summit at 29,032 feet above sea level, resides amongst some of nature's most awe-inspiring alpine creations. Straddling the Nepal-China border deep within the storied Himalaya mountain range, the Everest region is an amphitheater of knife-edge ridges, looming peaks, sheer walls of ice and rock, and wildly dynamic weather and light. It is also one steeped in history of the exploration of the extreme. Gazing upon this sublime realm from the air is an experience of raw exhilaration and enchantment. From the cockpit, you can trace every step and camp along the first path blazed to the summit of the world, and study the detail of crevasses, cornices, glaciers, and boulder fields. Myriad points of interest, famous and unnamed, lie wait for you in this rarefied domain. Regardless of flight path, no two journeys through this wonderland will ever be the same. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Mount Everest description |
Giza
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 152 at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Giza, the second largest city in Egypt with a population of 8.8 million, lies on the west bank of the Nile River adjacent Cairo. Globally renowned for a wide array of mysterious ancient pyramids and other great monuments, flightseeing is one of the best ways to experience the vast number of wonders of and around Giza. The wide view from the air above Giza is one of grandeur and historical juxtaposition: a modern urban ocean set against some of humanity's greatest preserved treasures. An inspirational array of these points of fascination awaits, enticing you to visually link them together from the cockpit each flight. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Giza description |
Bora Bora
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) (floats) at a starting altitude of 900 ft (274 m).
| “ | Bora Bora, a small French Polynesian island group in the South Pacific, northwest of the island of Tahiti, is an exotic, stunningly gorgeous destination known throughout the globe. Surround by turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and coral reefs, the main island of Bora Bora is a jagged remnant of an ancient volcano that towers over lush green tropical vegetation that stretches across its lower reaches. Behold this striking locale from the air and peer down onto the stunning details of shore, water, and land alike. Whether you choose straight-and-level passages low over crashing surf, more involved flights to explore the cliffs of the highlands, or any combination, a flightseeing journey through Bora Bora is an experience never to be forgotten. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Bora Bora description |
Naples
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA40 NG at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Located in southern Italy on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Naples is a city of immeasurable historical and cultural wealth. One of the oldest continuously-inhabited population centers in the world, Naples offers an exciting spectrum of landmarks of beauty and intrigue that can best be appreciated from the air. A coastal city, Naples is set against a backdrop of the conical form of Mount Vesuvius, the storied volcano located roughly 10 miles east-southeast of the city center. From your cockpit, take in as much of Naples and surrounding land and seascapes as you wish with each glance. You can focus on the patchwork of architecture, new and old, of the city itself, or bask in the massive vistas of humanity and nature that flow seamlessly into one another in this extraordinary place. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Naples description |
New York
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | The largest metropolitan area in the United States with a population of over 8 million, New York City is a renowned center for global trade, finance, education, innovation, and culture. The city's economic invigoration through the centuries has engendered and nurtured the growth of some of history's most celebrated and beautiful works of architecture. Awe-inspiring form beneath or from within, aerial views of these structures and the surrounding bustle of the city provide some of the most memorable perspectives of New York. Day and night, throughout all seasons, take flight over New York and enjoy an incomparable view of the area's bridges, sky-scrapers, statues and parks — some of the most famous landmarks in history. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its New York description |
Rio de Janeiro
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Beechcraft Bonanza G35 at a starting altitude of 2,500 ft (762 m).
| “ | Situated along Brazil's Atlantic coastline and set against the backdrop of a dramatic, verdant wall of mountains, Rio de Janeiro is one of the most spectacular urban settings in the world. Known by residents as the "Wonderful City," Rio, the second most populous metropolis in Brazil, is home to over 6.7 million and has recently hosted the World Cup and the Olympics. The sheer beauty of Rio, its diverse offerings, and its tropical climate and beautiful stretches of beaches, attract visitors from across the globe — but nothing compares to experiencing this stunning destination from the air, as you take in treasure after treasure in sights, both day and night, throughout the year. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Rio de Janeiro description |
Tokyo
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA62 at a starting altitude of 800 ft (244 m).
| “ | Located on the central eastern coast of Japan's Honshu Island, and rooted in humble beginnings as a small fishing village, Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area by population and boasts the largest urban economy in the world today. This opulence has translated into stretches of intricate, and oftentimes exquisite, works of architecture and infrastructure, some of the most renowned across the globe. Experience the full breadth of Tokyo's grandeur as only possible from the air, peering down on any small an aspect of the city, or taking in the entire mega-metropolis in a single sweep from the cockpit. Bounded on the east by Tokyo Bay, the city's magnificence lies before a backdrop of distant volcanic peaks in the western distance, presenting an unparalleled range of visual splendor. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Tokyo description |
Mount Fuji
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan at a starting altitude of 4,200 ft (1,280 m).
| “ | Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan at 12,389 feet above sea level, si one of the most recognizable landmarks throughout the world. Its snowcapped, conical form, photographed and painted countless times, one of the most emblematic sights of Japan. Beautiful from afar and up close, Mount Fuji includes a wide array of visually arresting forms on its slopes and around its bulk. Born of fiery volcanism, this landscape, some of the youngest on the planet due to recent eruptions, is a patchwork of ridges, lakes, craters, forests, lava fields, and more, all of which are eminently visible from above. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Mount Fuji description |
San Francisco
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Daher TBM 930 at a starting altitude of 900 ft (274 m).
| “ | San Francisco, an international hub for technology, banking, commerce, and the arts, is renowned as one of the most diversely beautiful destinations on the planet. Boasting an immense range of sights, from ultra-modern urban to wild and rugged, the city is built upon a natural cleft in the northern California Coast, and the Pacific Ocean — and its weather — serve as a dramatic backdrop to San Francisco's myriad facets. From the air, this paradise of visual wonder comes alive in ways unlike any other. Each aerial expedition brings new experiences, offering you views of classic to cutting edge architecture, gentle to feral landscapes, and of course endless city lights from dusk til dawn. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its San Francisco description |
London
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Flight Design CTSL at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Located along the River Thames roughly fifty miles from the North Sea, London is the capital of the United Kingdom and its largest city. With foundational roots stretching back roughly 2,000 years to the rule of the Roman Empire, London is today a profoundly influential global center of a number of fields, including finance, trade, the arts, technology, and media. Richly diverse and steeped in history, greater London stretches over 600 square miles in area and boasts architecture and infrastructure hailing from a number of different centuries — a timeless land with unrivaled visual appeal that awaits your journey above its reaches. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its London description |
Fort William
This Discovery Flight is flown in the ICON A5 at a starting altitude of 2,000 ft (610 m).
| “ | In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, at the northeastern extremity of Loch Linnhe, Fort William draws visitors from around the globe throughout the year, treating them to a host of natural and historical sights. While the grandeur of Fort William and the surrounding areas are spectacular from the ground, aerial perspectives provide a truly awesome experience. In the air, a number of incredible vistas open before your eyes — from sandy beaches to picturesque hills, quaint city blocks to rustic castles and architectural splendor — all set against an ever-changing sky and some of the most surprisingly beautiful lighting conditions in the land. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Fort William description |
Paris
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Robin DR400/100 Cadet at a starting altitude of 800 ft (244 m).
| “ | Paris, the capital of France and its most populous city, is a global center of the arts, science, and commerce. A top world destination, the "City of Lights" is lionized as one of the most beautiful locations on the planet due to its historic and contemporary architecture. From the air, you'll get increditble views of Paris's individual facets, neighborhoods, and expansive vistas, day and night, gaining a unique appreciation from a rare perspective. Located in northern central France, Paris lies along the banks of a large bend in the river Seine, which provides an excellent visual reference from the comfort of your cockpit. Roughly circular in shape, Paris is composed of 20 'arrondissements,' or municipal boroughs, that radiate outward from the city's center, each of which has its own inimitable character — an unforgettable backdrop to countless points of interest waiting to be explored. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Paris description |
Vercors & Ecrins Parks
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA40 NG at a starting altitude of 7,000 ft (2,134 m).
| “ | Located in southeastern France, nestled into the Dauphiné Alps, lies a massive living testament to the beauty that the earth's forces can create: Vercors regional park & Ecrins national park. The region is composed of a mesmerizing array of high peaks and glaciers, deeply incised valleys, alpine lakes, and carpets of forest. Spectacular from the ground, experiencing this region's mosaic of nature from the air is breathtaking. You can fly among 150 peaks that rise to more than 10,000 feet above sea level, soar over miles of glacial ice, and peer down at the wealth of flora on display. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Vercors & Ecrins Parks description |
Copenhagen
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 152 at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Situated on the island of Zealand — some 75 miles east of the Danish mainland — is Copenhagen, the historic capital of Denmark. For centuries one of the most important economic and cultural powerhouses of all Scandinavia, Copenhagen today frequently is ranked highly for quality of life, in part due to its striking architecture and many iconic landmarks. An aerial tour of the "City of Spires" offers you a wide range of sights to behold, both historic and modern. Meanwhile to the east of the city is another masterpiece of modern design: the Øresund Bridge, which links Denmark to the nearby Swedish city of Malmö. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Copenhagen description |
Lofoten Islands
This Discovery Flight is flown in the CubCrafters XCub (floats) at a starting altitude of 800 ft (244 m).
| “ | Despite being located within the Arctic circle, the region's climate is relatively mild, allowing for one of the world's most northerly population centers to thrive in the surrounding towns and villages. The scenery is predictably breathtaking, especially when seen from above. Mountains, beaches, lakes and inlets are dotted around the archipelago, and any aerial tour around these dramatic contrasts in terrain will quickly reveal why tourists flock to the area each year in search of natural beauty. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Lofoten Islands description |
Berlin
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Berlin' Germany's capital and most populous city, is a fascinating and beautiful urban center filled with incredible sights, many of which are best appreciated from above. The aesthetic charm of Berlin lies in its diversity of architecture, urban layout, and physical setting. The city's spectacular sights, all of which lie in close proximity to one another, include the iconic Berlin Television Tower. 1,207 feet tall, it is the highest structure in Germany and third highest in the European Union. The Tiergarten, a 520 acre park that is one of Germany's most popular and largest urban gardens, reveals its myriad intricacies when seen from aerial perspectives. The Charlottenburg Palace, a magnificent example of Baroque architecture, has sweeping grounds that include breathtaking formal garden. The historic Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate are two popular destinations that lie less than a quarter mile from each other. All of these and more sights seem from the air to be elegantly stitched together by the meandering Spree, a river that winds through Berlin. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Berlin description |
Pennine Alps
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Beechcraft Bonanza G36 at a starting altitude of 15,700 ft (4,785 m).
| “ | The Pennine Alps, located in southwestern Switzerland and neighboring Italy, contain some of the most impressive mountain sights in the world, including some of the most famous peaks in history.<br/ Over twenty mountains in the area stand taller than four thousand meters above sea level (13,123 feet), including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa (highest in Switzerland), and Dom (second highest in Switzerland). Surrounding these high points are deep valleys, glimmering lakes, sheer rock walls, and immense glaciers. In addition to these natural wonders, some of humanity's boldest structures stand in the thin air here. These include the Gornergrat South Observatory, an astronomical complex built on the roof of the Gornergrat Kulm Hotel, which lies on the top of Gornergrat, a 10,285-foot-high ridge. The hotel and observatory are connected to nearby Zermatt, Switzerland by the Gornergrat Railway, the highest open-air railway in Europe. Thrilling sights open up with each blink of the eye while flying over this Alpine wonderland, from the intricate and detailed to the broad and sweeping. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Pennine Alps description |
Freiburg and Black Forest
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA62 at a starting altitude of 2,000 ft (610 m).
| “ | Freiburg is a city located in southeast Germany on the western periphery of the Black Forest known for its university. The region is a wonderland of sights, with architecture that dates back centuries surrounded by pastoral scenes of rolling farmland. Freiburg lies at the base of the Black Forest, a storied mountain region that is the source of the Danube River. The highest point of the Black Forest, Feldberg (4,898 ft (1,493 m) above sea level), rises about 27 nmi (50 km) from Freiburg. Flying provides an ideal way to explore this region, with lakes, hills, and the terrain of the Black Forest always within sight, either for a detailed look, or a broad, captivating vista. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Freiburg and Black Forest description |
Helsinki
This Discovery Flight is flown in the JMB VL-3 at a starting altitude of 1,500 ft (457 m).
| “ | Helsinki is the capital and most populous city of the Nordic country of Finland. Located on the country's southern end along the Gulf of Finland, the easternmost extremity of the Baltic Sea, Helsinki is the European Union's northernmost capital as well as the world's northernmost metropolitan area. A global center of arts, culture, education, and commerce, Helsinki beholds a wide array of stunning sights from the coastal islands at the city's southern end, to architectural marvels both modern and centuries-old. Exploring Helsinki from the air is an expansive, and immersive, experience. Pilots can take in wide vistas, or pinpoint any of a number of the city's most notable landmarks, from the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, to Finlandia Hall, to Uspenski Cathedral. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Helsinki description |
Mecca
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX at a starting altitude of 2,500 ft (762 m).
| “ | Located fifty miles east of the shores of the Red Sea in a small desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, Mecca is the most important city in the religion of Islam. With both classic and modern architecture set against bold, arid mountains, it is also one of the most visually captivating places throughout the world. The centerpiece of the city is the most important mosque in Islam, Masjid al-Haram, the Great Mosque of Mecca. The mosque surrounds the Kabaa, a cube structure that is the most important place in the religion. Set just to the south of the Great Mosque of Mecca is one of the grandest architectural spectacles in the world, the Abraj Al Bait, a complex of skyscrapers that includes the Mecca Clock Royal Tower, one of the highest buildings in the world. Other sights include Jannat al-Mu'alla Cemetery, Jabal Thawr, Mount Arafat, and Jabal Al Nour. From the air, Mecca presents a never ending medley of stunning views unlike any other place on the planet, with religious monuments, towering architecture, and a striking landscape complementing one another visually. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Mecca description |
Monument Valley
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) at a starting altitude of 6,500 ft (1,981 m).
| “ | Few places throughout the globe inspire and excite like Monument Valley. Located in the Navajo Nation along the Arizona-Utah border in the southwestern United States, the desert buttes, mesas, and spires of this storied region are some of the most iconic landforms in the world. Flying over Monument Valley offers pilots a limitless number of stunning views of this sandstone world. Each pass may bring a detailed, up-close study of summits and cliffs of these forms, wide and expansive panoramas, or a combination of sights. Soar above East and West Mitten Buttes, the two most famous of Monument Valley's formations, and explore some of the lesser-known forms such as Spearhead Mesa and Rain God Mesa. No two passes over Monument Valley are the same, with each bringing its own unique visual rewards. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Monument Valley description |
Mount Cook
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan EX at a starting altitude of 8,500 ft (2,591 m).
| “ | Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand, rises dramatically to an altitude of 12,218 ft (3,724 m) above sea level in the Southern Alps of the country's South Island. The mountain is set amid an alpine mosaic of vertical rock faces, soaring ridges, and deeply incised valleys. Mount Cook and surrounding peaks are dominated by mantles of ice and snow, created due to the mountain range's close proximity to the Tasman Sea. Year-round predominant westerly winds lap up moisture from the sea and carry it to the wall of peaks of the Southern Alps, dropping it as snow, which over millennia have become a number of notable glaciers, including the Tasman Glacier, the Hooker Glacier, and the Empress Glacier. A flight into and throughout the Mount Cook massif is like travelling back into the Ice Age. Soaring through this realm brings views of elegant rivers of ice, glaciers clinging to mountain faces, and the peaks themselves that have been carved into their beautiful forms over millions of years. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Mount Cook description |
Singapore
This Discovery Flight is flown in the ICON A5 at a starting altitude of 1,500 ft (457 m).
| “ | The diamond-shaped island city state of Singapore, located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia just north of the Equator, is a renowned center of global business. Singapore is known for its numerous tall buildings and some remarkable architectural feats. These include the UOB Plaza, the Singapore Sports Hub, and the Gardens by the Bay, among many others. An aerial tour of Singapore offers perhaps the best way to experience the numerous facets of this unique city. With so many scenes of towering skyscrapers, city lights, and waterways that crisscross the urban mosaic, each flight above Singapore brings a completely new experience. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Singapore description |
The Gold Coast
This Discovery Flight is flown in the JMB VL-3 at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | The Gold Coast, a metropolitan region of nearly 700,000 on Australia's east coast, is one of the country's most popular destinations. Located in Queensland, just south of the state capital of Brisbane, the Gold Coast is renowned worldwide for its beaches, South Pacific waters, and its modern skyline. The sixth largest population center in the country, the Gold Coast derived it name from the area's expensive real estate that was developed to serve tourists who flocked to this beautiful coastal locale. Today, the skyline of the Gold Coast is one of the most impressive in the world, resembling a wall of architecture that drops precipitously into the sea, with a strip of white beach meandering between the buildings and turquoise water. Flying throughout the sights of the Gold Coast proves a phenomenal experience, with views of massive skyscrapers like Q1 Tower, the tallest in Australia at 1,060 feet, surf-pounded beaches, and the vast expanse of the South Pacific Ocean beyond. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its The Gold Coast description |
Sydney
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Sydney is internationally celebrated as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Located on Australia's southeast corner along the South Pacific Ocean, Sydney, the capital of the state of New South Wales, is Australia's largest city with more than five million inhabitants. With mountains hemming it in on the west, and seemingly endless beaches on its eastern periphery, the core of Sydney, built around Port Jackson Bay, boasts some of the most iconic structures in the world. Included in its list of renowned architecture is the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Tower Eye. Pilots flying over Sydney enjoy endless unforgettable vistas, from its shores, to it most extravagant buildings, to the Blue Mountains marking its western extent. Each pass tempts another—slightly different—run, each granting extravagant views of this famed metropolis. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Sydney description |
Perth
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 152 at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Perth is the capital of and only major city in Western Australia, the largest state in Australia by area. With just over two million inhabitants, it is the fourth most populous city in the country. Located in the southwestern extremity of Australia, along the Swan River Coastal Plain, Perth looks out over the beauty of the Indian Ocean. Perth offers outstanding scenes to view from the air, including the Swan River, the Indian Ocean, the buildings of the city, and land points and lighthouses. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Perth description |
Darwin
This Discovery Flight is flown in the ICON A5 at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Located on Darwin Harbour of the Beagle Gulf (of the Timor Sea), Darwin is the northernmost city in Australia and is the capital of Australia's Northern Territory. Inhabited by roughly 150,000, it is the smallest of Australia's capital cities by population, yet possesses an impressive skyline, one that is set amid lush tropical greenery and the waters of the Beagle Gulf. Flying above Darwin and surrounding beaches and waterways is an unforgettable experience. From the Beagle Gulf to Darwin Harbour, the heart of the Darwin urban area, inspiring sights abound, both human-made and those of nature. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Darwin description |
Melbourne
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA40 NG at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and the second most populous city in Australia, with just over five million inhabitants. Located along the shores of the northern and northeastern aspects of Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne is the southernmost metropolitan area in the world. It boasts the highest number of skyscrapers of any city in Australia — more than sixty — including Australia 108, the second tallest building in the country at 1,039 feet, and Eureka Tower, the third tallest at 975 feet. From the air, Melbourne is stunning, featuring views of far more than skyscrapers. Pilots will enjoy vistas of the Port Phillip Bay, suburban patchworks, and grand architecture that is classic and recently constructed. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Melbourne description |
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
This Discovery Flight is flown in the CubCrafters XCub at a starting altitude of 3,500 ft (1,067 m).
| “ | Located in central Australia at the southwestern corner of Northern Territory, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park protects the sandstone monolith Uluru (Ayers Rock), one of the most iconic landmark of Australia, and Kata Tjuta, a collection of domed rock formations just to the west Uluru. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area has a treasure of sights that are remarkable from the air. These include fins of eroded desert stone, deep chasms, dry river beds, vast swaths of vegetated dunes, and airy summits. Flying above these forms, pilots can gain an appreciation for the vast scale of the region as well as the natural forces that have sculpted them over the millennia to the beautiful, mysterious features that stand silently over the arid Australian interior. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park description |
Madrid
This Discovery Flight is flown in the JMB VL-3 at a starting altitude of 3,200 ft (975 m).
| “ | The capital of Spain and the country's most populous city, Madrid is a renowned international center of culture, business, and the arts. Madrid lies on a vast plain on the Manzanares River, near the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Views from above are outstanding, offering limitless opportunities to explore this vast region, which grants vistas of the modern juxtaposed with the centuries-old. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Madrid description |
Barcelona
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA40 at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Barcelona is a city globally recognized as one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. It is a location set amid natural splendor and adorned with architectural wonders that span centuries. Built on the Mediterranean coast in northeastern Spain, Barcelona is one of the crowning gems of the Iberian Peninsula and offers the aerial explorer virtually limitless opportunities, from towering skyscrapers, to grand coastal expanses. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Barcelona description |
Coimbra
This Discovery Flight is flown in the ICON A5 at a starting altitude of 1,700 ft (518 m).
| “ | Located in west-central Portugal, just under 30 miles to the east of the Atlantic Ocean shoreline, Coimbra is Portugal's sixth largest city by population. Nestled along the Mondego River, Coimbra is rich in history, and is notable for having the oldest university in Portugal. Incredible views abound from the sky above Coimbra. The town, which is set amid rolling terrain with views of distant peaks, is a showcase of architecture, with many structures dating to the 13th Century. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Coimbra description |
Gibraltar
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Located at the southern extremity of the Iberian Peninsula at the Gateway to the Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar is one of the most famous, and historically important, locations on the planet. Gibraltar is also one of the most visually striking places on the globe, especially from the air. Dramatically rising off of the sea, and adorned by swaths of a variety of architectural creations, Gibraltar offers stunning views both from a distance as well as while flying closely to its natural and human forms. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Gibraltar description |
Lisbon
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 152 at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Lisbon is Portugal's capital and largest city. It is located on the northern end of the Tagus River, the longest in the Iberian Peninsula, just east of where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. As the second oldest capital in Europe, and one of its most economically dynamic, Lisbon offers spectacular sights, especially when seen from above. From the banks of the Tagus, to its interior, each sweeping turn in the sky brings fresh, dynamic vistas. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Lisbon description |
Venice
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) (floats) at a starting altitude of 800 ft (244 m).
| “ | Venice is the capital of the Veneto region of Italy, located in the northeast of the country near its borders with Switzerland and Slovenia. The city is world famous for its canals—it is built atop 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon, which lies at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea between the terminus of the rivers Sile and Brenta. The city began as a small group of island fishing villages that over time merged, interconnected by bridges, and has continued to embrace its maritime origins through the centuries. In addition to its unique urban layout, Venice is known for its architecture and its art, particularly that of the Renaissance era. For decades, Venice has been called one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and as such sees tens of millions of tourists per year. Its visual character a fusion of both land and water, Venice is one of the most spectacular cities to experience from above. Each pass brings a different vista of the texture and color of the city's buildings, meandering coastlines, distant sea, and its myriad waterways, bridges, and docks that give Venice such charm. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Venice description |
Rome
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Aviat Pitts Special at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the most famous, most frequently visited, and most significant cities in world history. The most populous city in the country, Rome lies just inland of the Mediterranean's Tyrrhenian Sea in the Lazio region of the central portion of Italy. Rome is considered to be the cradle of western civilization, and it continues to maintain a long reach of influence throughout the globe in a number of industries including technology, banking, aerospace, and media. On a national level, Rome is significant for not only being the seat of governmental power, but for its breadth of educational institutions and culture. From the air, Rome offers limitless opportunities for exploration from the river Tiber, on the banks of which Rome was founded, to lush sweeps of urban forest found throughout and surrounding the city, to architectural feats like Torre Europarco. The most intriguing sights of Rome are its ruins, including the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum, aerial views of which offer perspectives unmatched in grandeur. |
” |
| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Rome description |
Florence
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA40 at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Florence is the capital of the central Italian region of Tuscany, an area celebrated for its art, food, verdant rolling hills, and unique brand of architecture. The birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is one of the most historically important cities in Europe and hosts visitors from throughout the globe every year who come to experience its vibrancy. Florence offers a wide rage of sights to experience from the air. The river Arno, one of the most notable in Italy, strikes through the heart of the city. Along its banks lie patchworks of forests and low hills, and neighborhoods of buildings emblematic of the area's classic building style of limestone and terracotta roof tiles. Notable landmarks like Piazza del Duomo treat the eye with intricate facades of red, white, and green marble and towering cathedrals, surrounded by the distant Tuscan uplands. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Florence description |
Grand Canyon
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 208 B Grand Caravan at a starting altitude of 10,000 ft (3,048 m).
| “ | The Grand Canyon, located in northern Arizona, is one of the most well known and celebrated natural forms on the planet. It is considered by many to be one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” due to its complexity, size, austerity, and beauty. Formed over millions of years as the Colorado River and its local tributaries incised the tectonically-uplifted strata of the Colorado Plateau, the region comprises vast stretches of red rock walls, sandstone towers, deep ravines, slot canyons, mountains, and forests. It is protected by Grand Canyon National Park, one of the most visited destinations in the U.S. National Park System. 277 miles long, 18 miles wide, and a mile deep, the Grand Canyon is one of the largest natural chasms in the world. With an altitude range spanning from 2,400 feet, at the canyon floor, to the summit of Point Imperial (8,803 feet), the Grand Canyon is also one of the most ecologically diverse places in the United States, supporting a tremendous range of plant and animal life. Visiting the Grand Canyon, especially from the air, allows a dramatic glimpse into the “bones” of the Earth and the processes that have, and continue to, forge it. Ranging from 5 million years to 70 million years in age, each layer of the Grand Canyon that stands exposed to view contains untold stories of past natural development, a slow evolution of Earth-sky interaction that continues inexorably to this day. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Grand Canyon description |
Seattle
This Discovery Flight is flown in the CubCrafters XCub at a starting altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m).
| “ | Seattle is one of the most stunning cities in the United States, offering endless aerial vistas of architecture old and new set to a backdrop of distant peaks and forests and an often dynamic sky. With roughly 750,000 inhabitants, and over 4 million in its greater metropolitan area, Seattle is the most populous city in the state of Washington and the American Pacific Northwest region. Set on strip of land bounded by Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle lies 100 miles east of the Pacific coast and 55 miles north-northwest of Mount Rainier, the highest peak in Washington at 14,411 feet above sea level. Tracing its origins to logging and shipbuilding in the 1800s, Seattle’s economy and urban growth was fueled in the 20th Century by Boeing and then by technology companies including Microsoft. Today, the city is a vibrant hub of innovation, the arts, aerospace, and tourism, among other economic sectors. Seattle’s architecture reflects its dynamic nature, and has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. It boasts more than 100 highrise buildings, of which 48 stand taller than 400 feet. Some of the most notable include Rainier Square Tower, F5 Tower, Smith Tower, Columbia Center—the highest building in the city at 937 feet—and the iconic Space Needle, one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Seattle description |
St. Louis
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 152 at a starting altitude of 1,500 ft (457 m).
| “ | Located on the eastern edge of the state of Missouri at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, St. Louis is a city steeped in the history of the development of the United States. Its skyline reflects this legacy, notably with its key architectural feature, the Gateway Arch. St. Louis was founded in February of 1764 by French traders who worked in the area and named it after Louis IX, who reigned as the King of France from 1226 to 1270. Decades after its founding, the city was the origin point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, one of the most important chapters in the development of the United States. The expedition, which set off from the area in 1804, explored the newly-acquired Louisiana Purchase, opening the west to settlement. St. Louis subsequently became an important port on the Mississippi River due to this expansion, and since then it has grown economically, with manufacturing, trade, and healthcare ranking as the main pillars of its economic vitality. Today, St. Louis has a population of just over 300,000, making it the second largest city in the state of Missouri, behind Kansas City. The city comprises a number of notable landmarks, including the Missouri Botanical Garden, City Hall, and the St. Louis Science Center. The Gateway Arch, constructed between 1963 and 1965, is by far the most noteworthy and recognizable of the city’s features, especially from the air. Built to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States, the stainless steel monument is the largest freestanding arch in the world and is a dramatic monument to the exploratory spirit that built by the city above which it stands and the western United States beyond. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its St. Louis description |
Vancouver
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Diamond DA40 at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Vancouver, located on the Burrard Peninsula in southwest British Columbia, is one of Canada’s most important economic centers. The city is the largest in British Columbia with a population of 660,000 inhabitants (2.6 million in its greater metropolitan area) and is a hub of a wide variety of industries, including timber, mining, transportation, software, and healthcare. The city began in 1867 as a settlement to serve the fledgling lumber industry, and over the years burgeoned due to its natural port and ideal location as a transportation hub. Today, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and ranks as one of Canada’s premier tourism destinations. Its numerous tall buildings, icons of modern architectural engineering, stand juxtaposed against the timeless natural vistas of forest, mountains, and sea. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Vancouver description |
Montreal
This Discovery Flight is flown in the JMB VL-3 at a starting altitude of 1,200 ft (366 m).
| “ | Montreal is the most populous city in the province of Quebec and the second largest in all of Canada with over 1.7 million inhabitants (4.3 million in its greater metropolitan region). The city was founded in 1642 on the island of Montreal, located in southwestern Quebec, on the shore of the St. Lawrence River. Both the city and island were named for Mount Royal, a low hill around which the original settlement of the city was built. Today, while the official language of Montreal is French (it is the second-largest French speaking city in the world, after Paris), it is very much a multilingual city, with more than half speaking both English and French. br>Montreal is a thriving hub of commerce, important to a number of industries including aerospace, pharmaceuticals, media, high technology, tourism, and education. It is renowned throughout the world as an international center, having hosted a number of historic events, including the 1976 summer Olympics. The city boasts stunning architecture, with a skyline that comprises eleven of Canada’s tallest buildings, including the tallest, including 741-foot-tall 1250 René-Lévesque. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Montreal description |
Toronto
This Discovery Flight is flown in the Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000) at a starting altitude of 1,600 ft (488 m).
| “ | Toronto, the capital of the southeast Canadian province of Ontario, is the most populous city in Canada with 2.8 million inhabitants and 6.7 million in its greater metropolitan area. It was founded on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario by the British in 1793 as York and renamed Toronto in 1834, and has been steadily expanding since. A global hub of a number of industries including telecommunications, media, and hospitality, Toronto is Canada’s center of finance and trade. The city is the headquarters of all of Canada’s major banks and it is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, the 11th largest equity trading center in the world, and third largest in North America. Toronto’s wealth is reflected by its skyline: it is home to the top nine tallest buildings in Canada. This includes the under-construction 1,014-foot-tall “The One,” the tallest building in Canada, and the 978-foot-tall First Canadian Place, the 9th highest building in North America, completed in 1975. Toronto is perhaps best known architecturally for the CN Tower. Declared one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 1995 by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the CN Tower (CN stands for “Canadian National,” the railway that financed the building of the structure) stands 1,815 feet tall and is today the ninth tallest free-standing structure in the world. |
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| ~ Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) on its Toronto description |
History
World Update IX: Italy & Malta (WU9) (2022-05-17):
- Added three Discovery Flights:
- Venice
- Rome
- Florence
World Update VIII: Iberia (WU8) (2022-03-24):
- Added five Discovery Flights:
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Coimbra
- Gibraltar
- Lisbon
World Update VII: Australia (WU7) (2022-01-31):
- Added six Discovery Flights:
- The Gold Coast
- Sydney
- Perth
- Darwin
- Melbourne
- Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Sim Update VII (SU7) (2021-11-18):
- Based on the popularity of the recently introduced Discovery Flights, we are adding an additional 6 locations to this popular series:
- Helsinki, Freiburg and Black Forest, Mecca, Monument Valley, Singapore, and Mount Cook
World Update VI: Germany/Austria/Switzerland (WU6) (2021-09-07):
- Added the Berlin (Germany) Discovery Flight
- Added the Pennine Alps (Switzerland) Discovery Flight
Sim Update V (SU5) (2021-07-27):
- [Undocumented] Added ability to play previously-featured, but otherwise no longer accessible, Discovery Flights
- [Undocumented] Except: Tour of Japan. Added Tokyo and Mount Fuji Discovery Flights as replacements.
- Discovery Flights were originally inspired by those who wanted to fly in one of our trailers! Discovery Flights place you in the most scenic locations on the planet, including awesome locations like the Great Pyramids or Mount Everest, or vibrant cities like Naples or Rio de Janeiro, in optimal weather conditions for you to fly and sightsee at your leisure. You can quickly switch between locations using the Activity tab available from the pause menu. Two additional Discovery Flights are featured with all World Updates available for free within the in-game Marketplace.
World Update V: Nordics Europe (WU5) (2021-06-17):
- [Undocumented] Added the Copenhagen and Lofoten Islands Discovery Flights
World Update IV: France/Benelux (WU4) (2021-04-13):
- [Undocumented] Added the Paris and Vercors & Ecrins Parks Discovery Flights
World Update III: United Kingdom (WU3) (2021-02-16):
- [Undocumented] Added the London and Fort William Discovery Flights
World Update II: USA (WU2) (2020-11-24):
- [Undocumented] Added the San Francisco Discovery Flight
World Update I: Japan (WU1) (2020-09-29):
- [Undocumented] Added the Tour of Japan Discovery Flight
Closed beta (2020-07-28):
- [Undocumented] Added a limited-time series of Discovery Flights to showcase scenic areas:
- Mount Everest, Nepal — Beechcraft King Air 350i
- Giza, Egypt — Cessna 152
- Bora Bora, French Polynesia — Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000)
- Naples, Italy — Diamond DA40 NG
- New York, USA — Cessna 172 Skyhawk (G1000)
- Rio de Janeiro, Argentina — Beechcraft Bonanza G35