Microsoft has released two major updates for both versions of its popular flight simulator, with the City Update 11: Northeastern United States 2 giving players detailed renditions of popular places such as New York City and Boston, while providing the classic Piper PA-28-236 Dakota aircraft to explore them in. The Dakota represents the third of four promised aircraft for MSFS 2024 owners, offered as compensation for launch-related issues. Both releases arrived in time for FlightSimExpo 2025, which took place in Providence, Rhode Island in late June, showing Microsoft’s committment to keep adding fresh content to both the 2020 and 2024 versions of their flight simulator.
America’s Historic Northeast
City Update 11 brings detailed recreations of Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island to the simulator using high-quality satellite photos and advanced mapping technology. The update includes Boston, Massachusetts’ capital city and the biggest city in New England, which was founded in 1630 and played a crucial role in the American Revolution. Players can also fly over Plymouth, where the famous Mayflower Pilgrims first landed in 1620, making it one of America’s most important historical locations. The Massachusetts areas showcase some of the country’s oldest settlements and most significant heritage sites.
New York City includes Brooklyn, the most crowded of NYC’s five boroughs, which connects to Manhattan through tunnels and bridges over the East River. Manhattan itself appears with all its famous skyscrapers, including One World Trade Center (standing 1,776 feet tall) and Central Park Tower (reaching 1,550 feet). The update also covers Long Island’s eastern tip, including the fancy Hamptons resort area around Southampton and Montauk, which sits at New York State’s easternmost point with its historic lighthouse.
New Jersey includes cities like Newark, Hackensack, and Paterson, all part of the greater New York area. Newark is one of America’s oldest cities and helped drive the country’s industrial growth, whilst Hackensack served as one of George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The update also covers central New Jersey cities including Elizabeth (the state’s first capital), New Brunswick (an important university town), and Edison, named after the famous inventor Thomas Edison who created the light bulb and phonograph in his laboratory there.
Piper PA-28-236 Dakota
Famous Flyer 12 introduces the Piper PA-28-236 Dakota, developed by Carenado, a single-engine, four-seat aircraft that first entered service in 1979. The Dakota represents an evolution of the PA-28 Cherokee model line, whose prototype completed its maiden flight on 14 January 1960. The aircraft quickly established itself as a pilot favourite due to its versatility in both short-range and cross-country flying.
The Dakota features traditional tail unit configuration with fixed tricycle undercarriage and wheel pants for aerodynamic efficiency. Power comes from a Lycoming 6-cylinder piston engine (O-540-J3A5D) generating 235 horsepower, driving a 2-blade constant-speed propeller.
Performance specifications include a range of 852 miles, service ceiling of 17,500 feet, and a climb rate of 1,110 feet per minute. The Dakota cruises at 166 miles per hour with a maximum speed of 170 mph, requiring 886 feet for takeoff and 825 feet for landing. These characteristics make the aircraft suitable for both experienced pilots and those new to aviation, offering responsive handling with forgiving flight characteristics.
The PA-28-236 Dakota includes ten liveries:
- Beige on Brown
- White with Red and Grey Stripes
- Chrome Red
- Beige on Red
- White with Blue and Grey Stripes
- White with Green Stripes
- Chrome Green
- White
- Aviators Club Livery
- Xbox Aviators Club Livery
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 owners receive the Dakota at no additional cost, whilst MSFS 2020 users can purchase the aircraft for $14.99 through the in-sim marketplace. City Update 11: Northeastern United States 2 remains free for all MSFS owners.
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