Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 gliders explained: see which two are included and learn how to launch, find lift, fix common problems and land.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes two sailplanes: the two-seat DG Aviation DG-1001E, with an electric sustainer, and the single-seat DG Aviation LS8-18. Select one in Free Flight, choose an aerotow, winch or airborne start, release at height, then use thermals or ridge lift while controlling speed with pitch and descent with spoilers.
Which gliders are included in MSFS 2024?
Both built-in sailplanes are part of the Standard aircraft roster, so Deluxe, Premium Deluxe and Aviator owners receive them as well. Our edition-by-edition MSFS 2024 aircraft list shows how they fit into the complete fleet.
| Glider | Configuration | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| DG Aviation DG-1001E | Two seats, 18-metre class and an electric sustainer system | You want a stable training-style platform or reserve propulsion for recovering from low altitude |
| DG Aviation LS8-18 | Single-seat, high-performance pure sailplane | You want lighter handling and conventional unpowered cross-country soaring |
The DG-1001E is the more forgiving first choice, but its electric system has separate operating controls and is not simply a normal throttle. The LS8-18 removes that extra workload, although every climb must come from atmospheric lift.
How do I launch a glider in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Use an aerotow or winch from a suitable runway, or begin airborne when practising soaring without a launch sequence.
- Select the glider in Free Flight. Choose the DG-1001E or LS8-18 and use a runway rather than a parking stand.
- Check the control assignments. Search the control settings for
glider,tow,releaseandspoilers. Confirm that rudder, wheel brake and spoiler inputs work, and check visually that the spoilers are closed before departure. - Choose a launch method. Aerotow gives more control over release position; a winch is quicker but produces a steep climb and less release height. The available launch choices can depend on the selected airfield or activity.
- Keep the wings level during the ground roll. On aerotow, lift off gently and remain just above the runway until the tug becomes airborne. Follow its bank with small, coordinated inputs rather than chasing every movement.
- Release in a safe position. Disconnect only when clear of terrain and still within gliding range of a landing area. Confirm that the rope has released, then turn away from the tug.
- Retract and trim. Retract the landing gear where applicable, close the spoilers fully and trim for a stable glide speed.
If the launch controls or tow behaviour are causing trouble, use our practical aerotow, winch and soaring walkthrough. An airborne Free Flight start is the simplest alternative when a particular airfield does not offer a reliable glider launch.
How do you stay airborne in an MSFS 2024 glider?
Keep the aircraft near an efficient glide speed and convert rising air into height instead of trying to climb by pulling back.
- Thermals: Look beneath developing cumulus clouds and over sun-heated ground. When the variometer shows sustained lift, make a coordinated turn and adjust the circle to keep the strongest climb near its centre.
- Ridge lift: Fly along the windward side of a ridge where wind is deflected upwards. Maintain clearance, avoid drifting behind the ridge and always turn away from terrain.
- Speed control: Pitch controls airspeed. Pulling back excessively increases sink and can cause a stall; flying much too fast wastes height through additional drag.
- Energy planning: Keep a reachable runway or field in mind. Allow extra height for headwinds, sinking air and the landing circuit rather than relying on the published best-glide performance.
A mistake we see constantly is using calm, stable weather and expecting strong thermals. Another is circling around the edge of a thermal: follow the variometer trend and move the circle towards the side producing the strongest climb.
How do you land a glider without overshooting?
Fly a normal circuit with enough height in reserve, use pitch to hold approach speed and use the spoilers to control the glide path.
- Join the circuit early. Lower the landing gear and confirm the spoiler lever moves correctly before turning final.
- Set a stable approach. Add an appropriate margin for wind, but do not carry needless speed because a high-performance glider will float a long way.
- Adjust descent with spoilers. Open them progressively rather than waiting until the threshold. If low, reduce spoiler rather than pulling back and approaching a stall.
- Flare close to the surface. Touch down on the main wheel with the wings level, then use wheel braking as required and hold the wings off the ground for as long as control allows.
Do not plan on a powered go-around. Even in the DG-1001E, treat the electric sustainer as reserve propulsion rather than a substitute for a properly judged circuit.
Why is my glider not launching, climbing or gliding properly?
Most MSFS 2024 glider problems come from the departure setup, control bindings, unsuitable weather or partially deployed spoilers.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Glider does not appear | An aircraft filter is active, or owned content has not loaded | Clear category filters, confirm online services are available and check the simulator's owned-content or library screen |
| No tow or winch option | Parking position or unsuitable departure selected | Choose a runway at a glider-friendly airfield or use an airborne start |
| Porpoising behind the tug | Large, delayed pitch corrections | Use tiny inputs, look at the tug as a whole and match its attitude smoothly |
| Glider sinks unusually fast | Spoilers partly open, landing gear down or excessive airspeed | Check the cockpit levers and reverse or recalibrate an incorrectly assigned spoiler axis |
| No climb while circling | No usable thermal, or the circle is outside its core | Choose more active weather and reposition towards the strongest variometer reading |
| Throttle does nothing | The LS8-18 is unpowered, or the DG-1001E sustainer is not deployed and configured | Use the aircraft-specific cockpit controls; do not assume the normal throttle binding operates the sustainer by itself |
Can I add more gliders to MSFS 2024?
Yes, third-party and community aircraft can expand the two-glider default fleet. Check each package for explicit MSFS 2024 compatibility because an aircraft made for MSFS 2020 is not guaranteed to work unchanged; our MSFS ultralight and glider add-on library provides a focused place to compare available freeware.