Per notice last month, the World Hub Closed Alpha will shut down on August 23, 2024 (following the release of World Update 18 on August 22).
New World Hub submissions approved prior to the end of the Closed Alpha will be included in the next NavData cycle update targeted for September 5, 2024.
We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone from the flight sim community who participated in the World Hub Closed Alpha these last several months. The primary reason we’re choosing to shut down the Closed Alpha now is because the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 later this year includes updated aerial data. This will alter the positioning of all real-world airports, and impact Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 as world data is shared between both sims.
Over the last several months we’ve gathered tons of great feedback on World Hub and learned so much in the process. Here’s a few interesting stats highlighting the community’s impact:
- Over 1,200 community members were invited to participate in the World Hub Closed Alpha, with 700+ signing-in to World Hub at least once.
- Since January, 422 unique airports were updated by the community in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (!!!).
- 714 custom airports were submitted for review, and 535 were approved (this includes airports updated more than once).
- The most popular airports (by views) in the last three months were:
- KFCM
- USHU
- URWW
- Most popular locations (by search) in the last three months were:
- Seattle (location)
- 0AK6 (airport)
- CYYT (airport)
The full release for World Hub is planned for early 2025 (following the release of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024) and we’ll have more details to share in the coming months.
A huge thanks again to all the World Hub Closed Alpha participants. Your feedback has been invaluable, and it’s been so exciting to watch the community collaborate and build the world together in Microsoft Flight Simulator. We’ll see you again in 2025!