One of the exciting features of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is Career Mode, which transforms the sim into an airport and aviation management game. A standout feature of this mode is the “Companies” system. With this, you can buy different aviation businesses and grow them into international enterprises.
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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024: Career Mode, Explained
Career Mode is the most intriguing feature in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and seems to be the primary reason for players to stick around.
The challenge, however, is that MSFS 2024’s UI and lack of proper in-game guides can make it difficult for players to navigate the Companies mode. To help, we’ve put together a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to start your first company, expand it by hiring crews, and maximize its potential to earn passive income.
How to Start Your First Company
- Get your Commercial Pilot License.
- Qualify for a company. (Acquire the right Specialization.)
- Buy a company’s license.
- Get a used aircraft that matches your company’s specialization.
- Hire a crew or take on missions personally.
- Grow your business by purchasing more aircraft and hiring more employees.
The great thing about Career Mode in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is that it has a low entry barrier. You can start your first company, a small aviation business, after just a few hours of gameplay. If you’re an experienced player familiar with the MSFS franchise, you’ll be able to build an aviation enterprise in just a few days.
If you’re unsure about any of the steps in creating your first company, don’t worry. Keep reading, and we’ll break down each step in detail, offering helpful tips along the way.
How to Get Your CPL
You can earn a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) after obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL). In the Headquarters menu, go to Certifications and take the first piloting exam in the center of the certifications tree. Passing this exam awards you the PPL (the test is simple, requiring just a takeoff, short flight, and landing). Once you have your PPL, you can then take the CPL by completing a short charter mission.
Each Certification test costs a few thousand credits, but it’s a one-time payment and won’t be charged again if you fail. If you don’t have enough money, try completing some flightseeing missions, which are one of the
best ways to earn Credits early in
MSFS 2024
.
How to Get Qualified for a Company
- Specializations: Get certified and complete themed missions to become a Specialized pilot.
- Reputation: Complete missions with high scores to increase your Reputation to A- or S-level.
In MSFS 2024, starting a company requires two things: a License and an Aircraft. You earn a license by completing specialization missions that turn you into a professional pilot. For instance, to start an Aerial Firefight company, you need the Scoop Endorsement. Each company also requires specialized aircraft, like Airtankers or Water Scoopers for Aerial Firefighting. Most aircraft become available for purchase once you reach a certain Reputation level.
How to Purchase a Company’s License
Once you have at least 1,000 Credits, you can purchase your first company in MSFS 2024. Go to the Companies menu in the Headquarters of Career Mode, select your desired company from the “Eligible Companies” section, and pay the price to acquire the license.
If you’re aiming for high-end airplanes, avoid purchasing the Flightseeing Company. This is because your first airplane for any company is discounted by 90%, so it’s better to use that discount for a higher-end company. However, completing Flightseeing Missions without skipping any parts is a great way to earn early income.
Purchasing a company’s license won’t automatically grant permission to take on specialized tasks. Before you can start making money, you’ll still need to buy an aircraft that suits the company’s needs.
List of All Companies in MSFS 2024
|
Company Title |
Price (Credit) |
|---|---|
|
Flightseeing |
1,000 |
|
Cargo Transfer |
10,000 |
|
Skydive Aviation |
20,000 |
|
Aerial Advertising |
35,000 |
|
VIP Charter Service |
25,000 |
|
Aerial Firefighter |
100,000 |
|
Search & Rescue |
40,000 |
|
Medvec |
50,000 |
|
Agricultural Aviation |
70,000 |
|
Aerial Construction |
200,000 |
|
Passenger Transport |
150,000 |
You won’t be able to transfer planes between companies.
How to Buy an Aircraft for Your Company
- Go to Headquarters.
- Select My Companies.
- Open the All Companies tab.
- Choose Manage Company.
- Click Buy Aircraft.
At first, you can only purchase Used Aircraft, which may have some wear and tear. You might need to pay an extra fee to repair them before they’re ready to fly for your company.
To check if an aircraft needs maintenance, follow this route: All Companies > Manage Company > Click on the aircraft > select “Manage Aircraft.” From there, you can repair, repaint, wash, or even sell the aircraft.
How to Hire Flight Crews and Take on Aviation Missions
- Purchase a second aircraft for your company.
- Head to the “Manage Company” menu.
- Click on your spare aircraft and toggle on “Crew Available.”
- Check back every 24 hours to receive your passive income.
It’s currently unclear when the game transfers passively earned Credits to your in-game account, but it’s assumed to happen every 24 hours based on the UTC time zone.
You don’t need to be online for your crew to earn money. With the AI flight mode enabled, you can exit the game and return after 24 hours to collect your earnings. The crew continues working while you’re offline, acting almost like an AFK Credit farming method.
If you’re not earning money from your “Crew On” aircraft, check if your spare aircraft needs maintenance. The AI flight crew might refuse to fly an aircraft that isn’t in perfect condition.
Tips for Making the Most of Companies
If you want to run a successful aviation business in MSFS 2024, keep these tips in mind:
Start with Freelance Missions
Freelance Missions have fewer expenses since the money earned goes directly to your in-game bank account, without third-party fees. It’s a good idea for beginner MSFS 2024 players to focus on these profitable missions before moving on to more advanced, long-haul jobs.
Take Aircraft Maintenance Seriously
Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your aircraft in good condition. MSFS 2024 has a wear-and-tear system that requires consistent checkups and preflight inspections. Neglecting this can cause aircraft malfunctions or crashes, leading to costly repairs or even bankruptcy.
Use Sim Rate to Complete Company Missions Faster
The Sim Rate feature speeds up time in MSFS 2024, helping you finish company missions quicker and earn money faster. You may need to set a key bind for “Sim Rate” in the controller or keyboard settings before you can use it.
Focus on One Company Before Expanding
Avoid spreading yourself too thin. Start with a single company and build a steady income before branching out. Managing multiple companies too soon can result in an unbalanced income-expense situation and lead to bankruptcy.
- Franchise
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Released
- November 19, 2024
- Publisher(s)
- Xbox Game Studios
- Engine
- Asobo’s
- ESRB
- e
