Where are all my jets under free flight mode in MSFS (40th Aniversary Edition)?

Welcome to the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020! It's great to hear that you've made the transition from FSX. I understand how eager you are to start flying your newly purchased commercial jets in Free Flight mode.

There are a few common reasons why your downloaded aircraft might not be appearing in the simulator, and I'll do my best to help you resolve this issue. Let's go through some troubleshooting steps to get your commercial jets ready for takeoff.

1. Verify Installation in Content Manager

First, let's ensure that your purchased aircraft are properly installed within MSFS 2020.

• Launch MSFS 2020 and, from the main menu, select "Profile" (represented by the pilot's hat icon).
• Within the Profile section, click on "Content Manager."
• In the Content Manager, you'll see a list of all available content, including aircraft, liveries, and more.
• Look for your purchased commercial jets in the list. You can use the search bar to find them quickly.
• If the aircraft are listed but not installed, you'll see a "Download" or "Install" button next to them.
• Select the aircraft you wish to install by placing a checkmark next to them.
• Click the "Download" button at the bottom to begin the installation.

Sometimes, even after purchasing aircraft from the marketplace, they may not be automatically installed. The Content Manager is where you can manage all your downloaded content.

2. Check for Updates

It's important to ensure that all your content is up-to-date.

• In the Content Manager, switch to the "Updates Available" tab.
• If any updates are available for your aircraft, select them and click "Download" to update.

3. Adjust Aircraft Selection Filters

Occasionally, filters in the aircraft selection menu can hide certain aircraft.

• Go to the "World Map" from the main menu.
• Click on the aircraft silhouette at the top left to open the aircraft selection menu.
• In the aircraft selection window, check for any active filters. These might include filters for manufacturer, type, or availability.
• Make sure all filters are cleared by clicking on each filter category and selecting "All."
• Your commercial jets should now appear in the list.

4. Confirm Marketplace Purchases

Ensure that your purchases have been completed successfully.

• From the main menu, select "Marketplace."
• At the top, click on "Owned" to view your purchased content.
• Verify that your commercial jets are listed here.
• If they aren't, check your purchase history and ensure the transactions were completed.

5. Restart the Simulator

After installing new content, sometimes a restart is necessary.

• Exit MSFS 2020 completely.
• Restart the simulator and check if the aircraft now appear.

6. Check Installation Path

If you're using any add-ons or have installed aircraft manually, ensure they are placed in the correct folder.

• Navigate to your MSFS 2020 "Community" folder. This is where third-party add-ons are installed.
• Ensure that the aircraft folders are correctly placed here. Each aircraft should have its own folder.
• If you're unsure of the location, you can find the Community folder by checking the installation path in the simulator's settings.

7. Verify Sim Version Compatibility

Make sure that the aircraft you're trying to use are compatible with the 40th Anniversary Edition.

• Some older add-ons or aircraft designed for previous versions might not be compatible.
• Check the developer's website or documentation to confirm compatibility.

8. Check for Sim Updates

Ensure that your simulator is up-to-date.

• Open the Microsoft Store (if using the MS Store version) or Steam (if using the Steam version).
• Check for any updates to MSFS 2020.
• Install any available updates.
• Sometimes, new updates fix issues with content not appearing.

9. Disable Community Add-ons Temporarily

Sometimes, conflicts with community add-ons can cause issues.

• Temporarily move all contents from the Community folder to another location.
• Restart MSFS 2020 and see if the aircraft appear.
• If they do, there might be a conflict with one of your add-ons.
• You can add them back one by one to identify the culprit.

10. Contact Support

If all else fails, you might need to contact Microsoft Flight Simulator support.

• Visit the official Microsoft Flight Simulator Support site.
• Submit a ticket detailing your issue.
• Provide them with as much information as possible, including purchase receipts and screenshots if possible.

I hope these steps help you get your commercial jets up and running in Free Flight mode. Flying those big birds is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the simulator, and I'm confident we'll get you back in the captain's seat soon.

Feel free to ask if you have any further questions or need clarification on any of the steps.

Happy flying!