Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 now has National Championship Air Races, but the launch contains two different pieces that are easy to blur together: the racing activity is part of the free Sim Update 7, while the 40-aircraft Racer Pack 1 is a separate $39.99 purchase.
The official October 13 announcement adds racing at Reno and Roswell with four pylon categories plus STOL Drag.
The race activity is part of the free update
Sim Update 7 brings the National Championship Air Races experience to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Players can run solo Time Trials, organize multiplayer races, or join established multiplayer races.
The four pylon categories are Unlimited, Jet, T-6, and Biplane. STOL Drag is a separate head-to-head event built around short takeoffs, landings, turnarounds, and another takeoff-and-landing sequence on a 2,000-foot course.
Microsoft also says players can choose realism settings that include simulated wear and tear. Under those settings, holding the throttle wide open can damage engine components, so the fastest line is not the only thing a pilot has to manage.
Racer Pack 1 is not required for the free racing mode
The paid part is National Championship Air Races: Racer Pack 1. It includes 40 named racing aircraft, split into groups of 10 across Unlimited, Jet, T-6, and Biplane classes.
The pack costs $39.99 through the in-sim Marketplace, Microsoft/Xbox Store, and Steam. Microsoft says the aircraft can also be purchased individually or as 10-plane class packs.
That distinction matters before you hit buy. If your goal is simply to try the new racing activities, start with the free update. The 40-plane collection is for players who specifically want the additional historic and modern racers.
The update includes real race venues
Microsoft says the team used thousands of reference photos and measurements to recreate the Reno and Roswell courses. The aircraft and cockpit work also used 3D scans for the racing versions represented in the pack.
Among the named aircraft in Racer Pack 1 are P-51D Mustang racers such as Strega and Voodoo, multiple L-39C Albatros racers, T-6 class aircraft, and Pitts biplanes. The official post lists all 40 for anyone comparing the collection before purchase.
PC players should check old Community packages after Sim Update 7
The Sim Update 7 release notes warn that outdated PC Community Folder packages can cause unexpected behavior, instability, or long loading times. Microsoft recommends moving those packages out of the folder before relaunching if those problems appear.
That does not mean every mod is broken. It means an older add-on is one of the first variables to eliminate if the simulator suddenly behaves badly after the update.
Where it is available
Microsoft lists Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass, PC, PlayStation 5, PS VR2, Steam, and supported devices through Xbox Cloud Gaming. The air-racing announcement applies to the current MSFS 2024 release rather than the older 2020 simulator.
Sources checked October 14, 2026: Microsoft Flight Simulator's official October 13 air-racing announcement and Sim Update 7 release notes. Featured and inline images are official Microsoft Flight Simulator media from the announcement. Zypher XP is independent of Microsoft and the National Championship Air Races.
