Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has taken significant steps forward from its predecessor, offering a fully-fledged Career Mode where you earn your wings before undertaking special missions. Certain requirements need to be met along the way, though, and we’ve got all the details you need.
Whether you want to become an aerial firefighter or ferry passengers on long-haul journeys from one end of the world to another, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers it all. Though they can be done freely in other modes, Career Mode sees you start at the bottom and work your way up.
Several tasks need to be accomplished for many of the jobs available to you, however, so we’ve created a handy guide with everything you need.
Flight Simulator 2024 Career Mode specializations and unlock requirements
Career Mode in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 begins with the very basics and working towards a first solo flight. Once completed, the Private Pilot License for Airplanes is unlocked and the first batch of missions becomes available. From here, it’s down to you to unlock the rest.
As you level up, more specializations become available, which open the door to a more missions across various varieties. At the top of the pile is Cargo Transport – Heavy, which you need to be level 75 to unlock. Of course, you can always choose to do whatever you want outside of Career Mode.
We’ve split the sections below into two tables, with one covering Airplanes in Flight Simulator 2024 and the other covering Rotorcraft.
Airplane specializations and unlock requirements
| Name | Required Level | Required Licenses | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Flight | 1 | Private Pilot License – Airplane | N/A |
| Ferry Flight | 3 | Commercial Pilot License – Airplane | N/A |
| Flightseeing | 5 | Commercial Pilot License – Airplane | N/A |
| Skydive Aviation | 8 | Commercial Pilot License – Airplane | – Score five Airplane missions with C or above. – Perform three Airplane missions with landing smoothness above 50% |
| Cargo Transport – Light | 10 | Commercial Pilot License – Airplane | – Perform five Airplane missions with landing smoothness above 50% – Score seven Airplane missions with C or above |
| Aerial Advertising | 12 | Commercial Pilot License – Airplane | – Score five Flightseeing or Skydive Aviation missions with B or above |
| Charter Service – Private | 16 | Instrument Rating | – Perform seven Airplane missions with landing smoothness above 50% – Score 10 Airplane missions with C or above |
| Search & Rescue | 20 | Tailwheel Endorsement | – Perform 10 landings with an Airplane on soft runways or bush |
| Cargo Transport – Medium | 25 | – Instrument Rating – Turboprop Engine Rating | – Perform 10 flights with full ATC procedures with an Airplane – Perform five Cargo Airplane missions |
| Aerial Firefighting – Initial Attack | 30 | – Scoop Endorsement – Turboprop Engine Rating | – Score 10 Airplane missions with A or above |
| Medevac | 35 | – Instrument Rating – Turboprop Engine Rating | – Score 15 Airplane missions with B or above |
| Agricultural Aviation | 40 | – Tailwheel Endorsement – Turboprop Engine Rating | – Perform 20 landings with an Airplane on soft runways or bush |
| Charter Service – VIP | 45 | – Instrument Rating – Turboprop Engine Rating | – Score 10 Private Charter Airplane missions with B or above |
| Passenger Transport – Airline | 50 | Jet Airline Transport Pilot Rating | – Perform 20 flights with full ATC procedures with an Airplane – Score 15 Airplane missions with A or above |
| Aerial Firefighting – Extended Attack | 60 | – Scoop Endorsement – Turboprop Airline Transport Pilot Rating | – Score 10 Firefighting Airplane missions with A or above |
| Cargo Transport – Heavy | 75 | – Jet Airline Transport Rating | – Perform 30 flights with full ATC procedures with an Airplane – Score 15 Cargo Transport – Medium missions with A or above |
Rotorcraft specializations and unlock requirements
| Name | Required Level | Required Licenses | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger Transport | 3 | Commercial Pilot License – Rotorcraft | N/A |
| Flightseeing | 5 | Commercial Pilot License – Rotorcraft | N/A |
| Search & Rescue | 12 | Turbine Engine Rating | – Score seven Rotorcraft missions with C or above |
| Search & Rescue – Hoist | 20 | – Hoist Endorsement – Turbine Engine Rating | – Perform 10 Search & Rescue Rotorcraft missions |
| Cargo Transport – Hook | 30 | – Turbine Engine Rating – Hook Endorsement | – Score 10 Rotorcraft missions with B or above |
| Agricultural Aviation | 40 | Turbine Engine Rating | – Perform 15 landings with a Rotorcraft on soft runways or bush |
| Aerial Construction | 50 | – Airline Transport Pilot License – Rotorcraft – Hook Endorsement | – Score five Helicopter Cargo Transport missions with S |
