Microsoft Flight Simulator Releases the First Aircraft in the New Expert Series – the ATR 42-600 and the ATR 72-600
Microsoft Flight Simulator today released the first entry into a brand-new series of highly authentic and accurate aircraft called “Expert Series”. The ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 are being released together in this bundle and will provide an incredible and authentic aviation experience. ATR, short for “Regional Transport Aircraft” in both French and Italian, was formed through the combined efforts of Aerospatiale (known as Airbus today) of France and Aeritalia (now known as Leonardo) of Italy specifically to create this aircraft. The ATR line has seen a wide range of uses, including commercial passenger, cargo, and military.
The ATR 42-600
The 42-600 is a twin-engine commuter airliner with a high-wing turboprop, that can seat up to 50 passengers. It took its first flight in March of 2010 and was introduced into service in late 2012. Distinctive in appearance with elegant lines and curves, it boasts thoroughbred performance in the air and can operate out of a wide variety of airfields.
The 42-600 is an advanced iteration of the ATR 42, a family of regional airliners first conceived in the early 1980s. Named “42” due to the number of seats of the original version, the aircraft was designed to be a highly efficient airframe optimized for commuter lines.
The 42-600, operated by a flight crew of two, features an advanced glass cockpit, spacious cabin, and improved efficiency and performance over its predecessors. The aircraft measures 74 feet, 5 inches in length and stands 24 feet, 11 inches tall. It features a high-aspect ratio main wing with a span of 80 feet, 7 inches and a T-tail empennage. It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-M engines, each delivering 2,400 horsepower to a 6-blade propeller.
The 42-600, while not designated a STOL (short take-off and landing) aircraft, has excellent short field and high-density altitude performance, with a take-off run of 3,631 feet at sea level, fully loaded. It has a range of 835 miles and a cruising speed of 345 miles per hour.
The ATR 42-600 comes with three liveries:
- ATR House Livery F-WWLY
- Air Saint Pierre F-ORLB
- Silver Airways N405SV
The ATR 72-600
The 72-600 is a refined, and the most notable, version of the ATR 72, which is a stretched variant of the company’s ATR 42 family of aircraft. The airframe boasts improved cabin design and an advanced multi-panel glass cockpit to optimize pilot efficiency. The ATR 72-600 allows aviators to sharpen their skills and push their abilities to new heights as they cruise the airways around the globe.
The ATR 72-600 is a high-wing, twin-turboprop, regional airliner that took its maiden flight on July 24, 2009, and was introduced into service in 2010. The ATR 72-600 is crewed by two and can carry up to 78 passengers, although its standard configuration is only 70 seats. While primarily serving as a passenger carrier, the 72-600 has also been used by various countries’ militaries for maritime patrol and logistical support.
While designed for and used as a short-haul carrier, the ATR 72-600’s form projects a tone of sportiness and performance. It features a long, sleek fuselage, a T-tail empennage, and has a high-aspect ratio main wing with a slight leading edge sweep. The wingspan measures 88 feet, 9 inches.
The 72-600 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-M turboprop engines that each deliver 2,750 horsepower to 6-blade Hamilton Standard propellers. The ATR 72-600 has a range of 850 miles, a service ceiling of 25,000 feet above sea level, and a cruise speed of 320 miles per hour.
The ATR 72-600 comes with five liveries:
- ATR House Livery F-WWEY
- Silver Airways N703SV
- Air Tahiti “RA’IREVA” F-ORVV
- Air Tahiti “TAPUATA” F-ORVR
- Air Tahiti “TE ANUANUA” F-ORVT
The ATR 42-600 and 72-600 planes are available as a bundle today in the Microsoft Flight Simulator in-game marketplace for $19.99. The sky is calling!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on Twitter.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Premium Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$119.99
$95.99
From light planes to wide body jets to gliders and helicopters, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition. The world is at your fingertips.
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Premium Deluxe Additional Aircraft
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Explore Your World
• Vivid and Detailed Landscapes – Immerse yourself in the vast and beautiful world that is our planet with over 1.5 billion buildings, 2 trillion trees, mountains, roads, rivers and more.
• Living World – The Earth is vibrant and ever-changing and so is the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which includes live traffic, real-time weather, and animals.
Earn Your Wings
• Aircraft – Hone your pilot skills in a variety of aircraft from light planes to commercial jets with comprehensive flight models. Every aircraft includes highly detailed and accurate cockpits with realistic instrumentation.
• Checklist System – From pro to beginner, scale your level from full manual to full assist with interactive and highlighted instrument guidance and checklist.
Test Your Skill
• Live Weather -The weather engine enables users to switch on the live weather mode to experience real-time weather including accurate wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rain and more.
• Day and Night Engine – Experience flight at any time of day or year allowing for night VFR, visual flight rules, navigation.
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Microsoft Flight Simulator has fulfilled the aspirations of aviators worldwide for 40 years. Celebrate the award-winning franchise with the 40th Anniversary Edition, loaded with all-new features, aircraft and content that span the history of aviation.
The 40th Anniversary Edition update introduces:
• 1 true-to-life Airbus A310 Airliner
• 2 helicopters and 14 heliports
• 2 gliders and 15 glider airports
• 7 famous historical aircraft including the Hughes H-4 Hercules (aka the Spruce Goose)
• 4 classic commercial airports
• 24 classic missions from the franchise’s past
Microsoft Flight Simulator Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$89.99
$71.99
From light planes to wide body jets to gliders and helicopters, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition. The world is at your fingertips.
The Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 5 additional highly accurate planes with unique flight models and 5 additional handcrafted international airports.
Deluxe Additional Aircraft
• Diamond Aircraft DA40-TDI
• Diamond Aircraft DV20
• Textron Aviation Beechcraft Baron G58
• Textron Aviation Cessna 152 Aerobat
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• Cairo International Airport (Egypt)
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Explore Your World
• Vivid and Detailed Landscapes – Immerse yourself in the vast and beautiful world that is our planet with over 1.5 billion buildings, 2 trillion trees, mountains, roads, rivers and more.
• Living World – The Earth is vibrant and ever-changing and so is the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which includes live traffic, real-time weather, and animals.
Earn Your Wings
• Aircraft – Hone your pilot skills in a variety of aircraft from light planes to commercial jets with comprehensive flight models. Every aircraft includes highly detailed and accurate cockpits with realistic instrumentation.
• Checklist System – From pro to beginner, scale your level from full manual to full assist with interactive and highlighted instrument guidance and checklist.
Test Your Skill
• Live Weather -The weather engine enables users to switch on the live weather mode to experience real-time weather including accurate wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rain and more.
• Day and Night Engine – Experience flight at any time of day or year allowing for night VFR, visual flight rules, navigation.
• Aerodynamic Modeling – A state-of-the-art physics engine with over 1000 control surfaces per plane allows for a truly realistic experience.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has fulfilled the aspirations of aviators worldwide for 40 years. Celebrate the award-winning franchise with the 40th Anniversary Edition, loaded with all-new features, aircraft and content that span the history of aviation.
The 40th Anniversary Edition update introduces:
• 1 true-to-life Airbus A310 Airliner
• 2 helicopters and 14 heliports
• 2 gliders and 15 glider airports
• 7 famous historical aircraft including the Hughes H-4 Hercules (aka the Spruce Goose)
• 4 classic commercial airports
• 24 classic missions from the franchise’s past
Microsoft Flight Simulator Standard 40th Anniversary Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$59.99
$47.99
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
From light planes to wide body jets to gliders and helicopters, fly highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition. The world is at your fingertips.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition features 37 airplanes, gliders, and helicopters with unique flight models, 25 handcrafted airports, 4 classic commercial airports, 14 heliports and 15 glider airports.
Explore Your World
• Vivid and Detailed Landscapes – Immerse yourself in the vast and beautiful world that is our planet with over 1.5 billion buildings, 2 trillion trees, mountains, roads, rivers and more.
• Living World – The Earth is vibrant and ever-changing and so is the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which includes live traffic, real-time weather, and animals.
Earn Your Wings
• Aircraft – Hone your pilot skills in a variety of aircraft from light planes to commercial jets with comprehensive flight models. Every aircraft includes highly detailed and accurate cockpits with realistic instrumentation.
• Checklist System – From pro to beginner, scale your level from full manual to full assist with interactive and highlighted instrument guidance and checklist.
Test Your Skill
• Live Weather -The weather engine enables users to switch on the live weather mode to experience real-time weather including accurate wind speed and direction, temperature, humidity, rain and more.
• Day and Night Engine – Experience flight at any time of day or year allowing for night VFR, visual flight rules, navigation.
• Aerodynamic Modeling – A state-of-the-art physics engine with over 1000 control surfaces per plane allows for a truly realistic experience.
Microsoft Flight Simulator has fulfilled the aspirations of aviators worldwide for 40 years. Celebrate the award-winning franchise with the 40th Anniversary Edition, loaded with all-new features, aircraft and content that span the history of aviation.
The 40th Anniversary Edition update introduces:
• 1 true-to-life Airbus A310 Airliner
• 2 helicopters and 14 heliports
• 2 gliders and 15 glider airports
• 7 famous historical aircraft including the Hughes H-4 Hercules (aka the Spruce Goose)
• 4 classic commercial airports
• 24 classic missions from the franchise’s past