The Halo Pelican dropship is now in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and it is free to download on all platforms from November 10 through November 17, 2026. After that, the Flight Simulator team says it costs $9.99 (USD) in the in-sim marketplace.
Xbox Wire announced the release as part of the celebration of Halo’s 25th anniversary. The aircraft is the D77-TC Pelican, the combat dropship from the Halo games, built for the 2024 edition of the simulator.
What is the Halo Pelican in Flight Simulator 2024?
It is a Halo-universe combat dropship that you can fly like any other aircraft in the sim. The official page describes it as a lifting body design with four high-efficiency fusion thrusters and smaller positional and stability thrusters. In the fiction, it was designed and built by Misriah Armory.
The in-universe specifications listed by the team:
- A typical crew of three: pilot, copilot and crew chief
- Room for up to 14 fully outfitted infantry
- An external hardpoint clamp that can carry a vehicle
- Three hardpoints on each wing for sensors, cargo pods or weapons
- A post-Covenant War avionics modernization kit and engine overhaul
What does the add-on include?
The Flight Simulator team lists four main features:
- A flight model that switches between drone-style and jet-style propulsion
- Custom avionics inspired by the Halo games
- A complete interior model, including the cargo bay
- 12 liveries
The page also notes that the performance throttling found on civilian and UNSC trainer models can be removed with remote authorization. It does not explain how that authorization works in the simulator.
Where and how can you get it?
The official page lists Xbox Series X|S, Game Pass, PC, PlayStation 5, PS VR2 and Steam. Phones, tablets and lower spec PCs are covered through Xbox Cloud Gaming. You find the Pelican in the in-sim marketplace, the same place where the paid price applies after the free week.
No cut-off time for the last free day has been given, according to MSFS Addons, so claiming it early is the safer choice.
Prices
- November 10 to November 17, 2026: free on all platforms
- From November 18, 2026: $9.99 USD in the in-sim marketplace
The sources give the price in US dollars only. Prices in other currencies are not listed, so check the marketplace in your own region.
Who it suits
Halo fans. The free week is an easy way to fly a ship you may only know from the games, with Halo-inspired avionics and a full interior to explore.
Regular Flight Simulator pilots. The dual propulsion flight model and the 12 liveries give you something quite different from airliners and light aircraft, so it is worth a download before the price applies.
Anyone who likes cargo and rescue style flying. The cargo bay, the external vehicle clamp and the hardpoints suit creative scenarios, though the sources do not describe any built in missions.
Players on console or streaming. The list includes Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Cloud Gaming, so you do not need a gaming PC to try it.
What is still unknown?
The sources do not say what time the free period ends on November 17, how remote authorization for removing the throttling works in the sim, or what the price is in currencies other than US dollars.
Open the in-sim marketplace before November 17 to add the Pelican to your library, or read the announcement on the official Flight Simulator site for the full details.
