Learn what MSFS 2020 Landing Challenges are, where to find them, how scoring works, and how to complete and improve each landing attempt.
Landing Challenges in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 are fixed, repeatable activities that place you on final approach in a specified aircraft, at a specified airport and in preset conditions. To play one, open Activities, choose Landing Challenges, select a scenario and land on the assigned runway; the simulator then scores the attempt.
What happens in a Landing Challenge?
Each challenge skips aircraft start-up, taxi and most of the flight, beginning with the aircraft established or close to established on final approach. The aircraft, runway, weather and starting position are predetermined, so every attempt is broadly comparable.
Challenges are commonly grouped into categories such as Famous, Epic and Strong Wind. The exact selection can vary according to the official content packages installed.
These activities test execution rather than teach the landing from first principles. If controlling airspeed, configuring the aircraft or judging the flare is still difficult, use MSFS Flight Training to practise the basic approach and landing sequence first.
Where are MSFS 2020 Landing Challenges?
- Return to the main menu. Landing Challenges cannot be selected from inside an ordinary Free Flight session.
- Open Activities. Select
Landing Challengesfrom the available activity types. - Choose a category and scenario. Check the aircraft, airport, runway and stated conditions before starting.
- Start the challenge. The aircraft will load in the air on or near final approach, already configured to some degree.
- Fly the approach and land. Touch down near the marked target, control the aircraft along the centreline and remain on the runway during deceleration.
- Wait for the result. Continue the rollout until the scoring screen appears. From there, retry the same challenge or return to the selection screen.
If the Landing Challenges tile or a particular scenario is missing, check that the relevant official content is installed and restart the simulator after completing any pending content update. A challenge supplied with optional official scenery or activity content will not appear when that package is absent.
How are Landing Challenges scored?
MSFS 2020 combines three landing measurements into the result. A safe arrival alone may complete the attempt, but a high score requires accuracy and control as well.
| Score category | What it measures | What improves it |
|---|---|---|
| Landing precision | How close the touchdown is to the designated target area | A stable approach that reaches the target without floating far beyond it |
| Landing smoothness | The aircraft's descent rate at touchdown | A controlled flare without dropping onto the runway or holding off excessively |
| Ground roll | Directional control during the landing roll | Staying close to the runway centreline while braking and correcting for wind |
The result screen shows the component scores and combined total. Online services are required for global leaderboard positions, but an unavailable leaderboard does not necessarily mean the installed challenge itself cannot be flown.
Why does a landing score poorly even when it feels smooth?
The most common mistake we see is extending the flare to make the touchdown exceptionally gentle. The aircraft then floats beyond the target, sacrificing landing precision and sometimes leaving too little runway for a controlled rollout.
- Stabilise early: establish the correct speed, descent path and configuration before the runway threshold.
- Aim before the target: the aiming point is where the sight line remains steady; the aircraft normally touches down beyond it after the flare.
- Correct for crosswind: prevent drift on approach, align the nose for touchdown and keep making directional corrections during rollout.
- Do not force the aircraft down: if the approach is badly unstable, restarting usually produces a better result than chasing the touchdown marker.
- Check assistance settings: AI piloting, assisted landing or auto-rudder can conflict with manual inputs and make repeated attempts inconsistent.
For the underlying technique, including approach speed, flare, centreline control and go-around decisions, see our step-by-step Microsoft Flight Simulator landing guidance.
Can I change the aircraft, runway or weather?
No. The aircraft and conditions are locked within each built-in Landing Challenge so that attempts use the same scenario. You can retry immediately, but you cannot turn that challenge into a different aircraft-and-airport combination.
For longer approaches, repeated circuits or custom wind conditions, use the World Map and set up a repeatable landing-practice flight in Free Flight. Choose a built-in challenge when you want a quick scored test; choose Free Flight when you need to practise one aircraft, runway or technique under controlled conditions.