Compare RAAS mods for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including FS2Crew, aircraft systems, freeware limits, console support and common fixes.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator, the main dedicated RAAS option is FS2Crew RAAS Professional on PC. Some high-fidelity aircraft also model selected runway-awareness functions, while simpler freeware utilities may announce runway entry or remaining distance. None should be confused with ATC: RAAS warns from aircraft position and runway data; it does not assign runways.
Available RAAS options for Microsoft Flight Simulator
There is not a long list of mature, full-featured RAAS packages for MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024. The useful choices fall into three groups:
| Option | What it provides | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| FS2Crew RAAS Professional | A dedicated runway-awareness system intended to work across multiple aircraft. Depending on its configuration, it can provide approaching-runway, on-runway, taxiway, short-runway, runway-end and distance-remaining advisories. | It is primarily a PC solution. Confirm that the specific build and licence explicitly support your simulator edition before buying or installing it. |
| Aircraft-integrated systems | Selected high-fidelity aircraft model RAAS, runway-overrun warnings or related EGPWS functions within the cockpit. | Coverage varies by aircraft and configuration. GPWS callouts or Airbus-style runway-overrun protection are not automatically a complete Honeywell-style RAAS implementation. |
| Freeware runway announcers | Lightweight utilities may announce runway entry, runway identity or distance remaining. | These are usually less configurable, and compatibility can change after simulator or navigation-data updates. Check that the project names MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 specifically. |
X-RAAS and X-RAAS2 are not MSFS mods. They are associated with X-Plane and cannot be installed by copying them into the Microsoft Flight Simulator Community folder.
Which RAAS option should you choose?
Choose a dedicated utility when you fly several aircraft and want consistent runway callouts; use an aircraft-integrated system when accurate type-specific behaviour matters more than fleet-wide coverage.
- Multiple airliners or business jets: FS2Crew RAAS Professional is the clearest general-purpose choice, subject to edition and platform compatibility.
- One study-level aircraft: Check its manual, EFB and equipment options first. You may already have runway-awareness functions and could otherwise create duplicate announcements.
- Basic runway identification only: A freeware announcer may be sufficient, but verify that it recognises custom airports correctly.
- Runway assignment or traffic sequencing: Use an ATC product instead. Our comparison of external ATC options for MSFS covers that separate category.
RAAS is one component of a procedural setup rather than a substitute for charts, take-off calculations or crew checks. Our selection of realism and procedural add-ons for MSFS explains where it fits alongside traffic, weather and aircraft-system enhancements.
Does Microsoft Flight Simulator include RAAS by default?
Microsoft Flight Simulator does not provide one simulator-wide, full RAAS implementation for every aircraft. Taxi ribbons, ATC runway instructions, cockpit terrain warnings and navigation displays are separate systems.
A RAAS utility normally compares aircraft position, heading and ground state with runway geometry. It can therefore announce the runway beneath or ahead of the aircraft even when ATC cleared a different one. Likewise, if FSHud assigns another runway, that changes the clearance and traffic plan rather than the physical runway detected by RAAS; see how FSHud handles opposite-runway assignments.
Do not treat the absence of a short-runway warning as performance approval. RAAS does not replace a take-off or landing distance calculation using weight, wind, slope, surface condition and temperature.
How do you install an MSFS RAAS mod?
Installation depends on whether the product is a Community package, a Windows companion application or a feature built into an aircraft.
- Confirm the simulator edition. A package made for MSFS 2020 should not be assumed to support MSFS 2024 unless the developer says so.
- Check the delivery format. Community packages belong in the active Community folder; companion applications normally use their own installer and may connect through SimConnect.
- Avoid nested folders. If it is a conventional Community add-on, follow our Community-folder installation procedure and confirm the package is visible to the simulator.
- Enable only one RAAS source. Disable either the standalone utility or the aircraft's equivalent feature if both produce the same calls.
- Test at a familiar airport. Taxi towards a clearly marked runway and confirm the spoken runway number matches the scenery before relying on the setup elsewhere.
Will RAAS mods work on Xbox or PlayStation 5?
Normal Windows RAAS applications and manually installed Community packages do not run on Xbox or PlayStation 5. Console pilots need an aircraft-integrated implementation or an add-on explicitly listed as compatible with their console in the in-simulator Marketplace.
This restriction applies to MSFS 2020 on Xbox and MSFS 2024 on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PS5 Pro. A PC licence or installer does not by itself provide a console version.
Why is RAAS silent or announcing the wrong runway?
Most RAAS problems come from a disconnected companion application, conflicting callouts or runway data that does not match the installed scenery.
- No announcements: Confirm the RAAS master switch is enabled, the companion application is running, any required simulator connection is active and audio is routed to the intended Windows device.
- Duplicate announcements: The aircraft and standalone utility are both supplying runway calls. Turn off one implementation.
- Wrong runway number: The utility's runway database may disagree with revised airport scenery or navigation data. Update compatible components together and remove duplicate versions of the airport.
- Taxiway warning while on a runway: Test with the default airport scenery. Misplaced runway geometry, an outdated custom airport or inaccurate aircraft position can trigger a false call.
- Missing short-runway warning: Check the utility's minimum runway-length setting. Such warnings are commonly threshold-based and are not calculated from the aircraft's complete performance model.