Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 may no longer be the shiny new toy, but it’s still very much alive. Today, Asobo and Microsoft rolled out Sim Update 16 (version 1.39.9.0), the first major patch for MSFS 2020 since the release of MSFS 2024 last November. This update plays a key role in keeping the 2020 version stable, compatible, and in sync with some of the under-the-hood changes from its newer sibling.
A bridge between two sims
Sim Update 16 exists in a slightly odd space. MSFS 2024 is the focus of development now, but a large chunk of the community, whether by choice or necessity, continues to use MSFS 2020. To keep things running smoothly, the MSFS team is maintaining core systems in 2020 that also underpin 2024: world data, navigation systems, avionics frameworks, and even Marketplace assets.
This update aligns MSFS 2020’s Bing Maps data with the newer 2024 dataset, adjusts how terraforming and water polygons behave, and brings in dozens of avionics fixes and improvements across multiple Garmin units and integrated systems.
If you’re still flying in 2020, this means fewer bugs, more accurate data, and better long-term compatibility—especially for aircraft and scenery that are designed to work across both platforms.
Aircraft and avionics: under-the-hood improvements
There are no new aircraft in this update, but several core planes received attention. The Boeing 787-10, for instance, got a fix for spoiler handling that could previously cause loss of control. Meanwhile, the Cessna Citation Longitude and Daher TBM 930 received a suite of enhancements, including new FMS flows, better annunciations, and additional pitch/airspeed cues.
In the avionics department, the G1000 NXi now includes virtual pathways on the PFD. The G3000 and G5000 received VNAV annunciations and support for TAWS alerts. Across the board—G3X Touch, GNS units, Primus Epic, and others—there are fixes for flight planning logic, button behavior, autopilot mode handling, and even UI quirks like text wrapping and missing fields.
Stability, terrain, and system refinements
In terms of overall performance and world behavior, Sim Update 16 brings a number of targeted tweaks:
- Crash fix when approaching certain world locations
- Improved memory management on Xbox Series X|S, aimed at reducing instability
- Timezone data updates, including more accurate coastlines and borders
- Navdata resolution improvements, with smarter handling of missing runways and procedure transitions
For the full changelog, you can check out the official release notes on the Microsoft Flight Simulator website.
MSFS 2020 isn’t getting new marquee features anymore. That baton has clearly passed to MSFS 2024. But Sim Update 16 makes clear that Asobo and Microsoft still intend to maintain a functional and reliable experience for those staying on the 2020 version.
Whether you’re sticking around due to hardware limitations, addon dependencies, or just personal preference, this patch should ensure you’re not flying with outdated or broken systems.
