Hi, I don't have MS2024 yet but can someone tell me if the career mode is a viable option instead of A Pilots Life V2?  I'm still on MS2020 and had been considering getting APLV2, but if the career mode for airline pilots is similar in MS2024, then I'd just use that instead of APLV2.

 

Thanks

 

The career mode is very different, more like Neofly. You start in small planes, get your private pilot license and then work your way up through various certificates that enable you to fly more planes. You can pick from a variety of random jobs every time to make a flight.

In APL2, you need licenses for certain plane types to get offered jobs from airlines that use that type. You could get the license for, say, an A380 right away, there is no need to start small. Plus APL2 doesn't mind which airplane you fly: you could fly a B737 even if the schedule says it is an A320 flight. Licenses are also not tied to your experience, you just buy them for virtual money, which you can earn by flying for airlines. You mostly fly real-world schedules for the airline that hired you, and you can change the airline about once per week. 

I quickly gave up on the MSFS 2024 career mode. It was very buggy when I tested it and I don't like that I cannot fly the planes that I want to fly for a long time. I had a ton of fun with APL2, but after a while it can get repetitive, so I stopped using it. But I do not regret the purchase at all, I had probably half a year of good flying times with it.

I recommend trying Neofly. It is free, and if you like the concept you will likely enjoy the career mode in MSFS 2024 as well. Other alternatives that you could look into are Newsky (free), OnAir (subscription but very well made, there is a trial period), FSCaptain (free but in early beta for MSFS 2020 and 2024), FSEconomy (free but a bit dated), and Air Hauler 2. There are also passenger simulations that focus more on flight operations. Self Loading Cargo is probably the leading program right now, and Passengers2 is another one. Programs that I haven't tested yet are NextSimFlight and Pilops.

Peter

I'm still at a very early stage of my career in FS2024, but pretty much enjoying it, in various aspects.

Yes it has bugs and some limitations, and OFC it shortcuts many details of RW ops, but truth is it became really addictive.

I prefer to gain $$$ and experience as I get into a new certification instead of rapidly jumping to a next one, so, it'll be quite a while before I get to the ATPL level 🙂

I never used career / virtual airline addons before, although most of my fellow simmers and friends do use and recommend those apps.

My opinion: Go FS 2024, and try it's Career mode. Even if you don't like it that much, the sim has so much potential and offers so much for such a small investment that it's always worth the purchase.

Career mode currently limits you to default aircraft with all that implies. Over time we will see how many third party aircraft can participate in this mode I for now I have clear that it is not for me I do not fly planes by default and there are applications outside career mode much more powerful with which to enjoy.

A pilots life is all I fly now. Each flight you do is graded, so it keeps you on your toes. You can fly real schedules for different airlines all over the world. Currently I am flying for Turkish Airlines.