Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Meet the aircraft
Archer’s electric vertical-takeoff aircraft, represented in the MSFS 2024 default fleet. Midnight is included in MSFS 2024 Standard and higher editions.
Archer Midnight
Microsoft · Read more ↗Meet Archer Midnight
Archer’s electric vertical-takeoff aircraft, represented in the MSFS 2024 default fleet.
Midnight is included in MSFS 2024 Standard and higher editions.
Archer Midnight
Aircraft type designators
No type code selected for this entry yet.
History & design
From Maker testing to Midnight hardware
Archer announced completion of its first Midnight in May 2023, following testing with the smaller Maker demonstrators. The aircraft moved from Palo Alto to Salinas for ground and flight testing. The announcement describes a development aircraft and planned certification work; it does not establish an approved passenger service.
Archer · First Midnight aircraft completed for flight test ↗Archer announcement of 11 May 2023
Testing both kinds of takeoff
In June 2025 Archer reported a piloted flight using conventional takeoff and landing, reaching 125 mph and more than 1,500 ft above ground. The company describes its configuration as twelve rotors with six tilting. This milestone highlights Midnight’s intended combination of vertical and wing-borne operation, rather than treating it as a conventional helicopter.
Archer · Midnight piloted conventional flight test ↗Archer test-programme report of 2 June 2025; historical demonstrated flight
Systems & details
One inceptor, different commands
The simulator’s right-hand inceptor commands vertical speed in hover and pitch in conventional flight. Fixed centering is therefore a profile interpretation of an electronic command device, rather than a measured rotor-load model.
The left hand manages motion
The simulated left-hand inceptor controls forward motion in hover and acceleration or deceleration in forward flight. Its centre participates in motion hold, unlike a conventional helicopter collective.
A simulator model is not a certification document
These figures describe the 2024 simulator model. Separately cited real-aircraft development reports do not turn them into certified operating limits.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
MSFS 2024Midnight
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Midnight
Microsoft Flight Simulator · Released
Manuals & resources
Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Manual
Archer Midnight simulator manualMicrosoft / aircraft developer · Official catalogue reviewed 15 September 2026Resource
MSFS 2024 official aircraft rosterMicrosoft · Official catalogue reviewed 15 September 2026Manufacturer or official developer documentation
First Midnight aircraft completed for flight testArcher · 11 May 2023 announcement; historical milestone, not current certification status Midnight piloted conventional flight testArcher · 2 June 2025 test-programme report; not a certification claimBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261022-v1 · 1 profile choice
Archer Midnight
Free and Pro · Revision 1 · Partial review
MSFS 2024
Archer Midnight: Fixed centering represents the attitude inceptor's selected electronic-control approximation; a conventional helicopter spring law is not inferred.
Archer Midnight
Archer Midnight: Fixed centering represents the attitude inceptor's selected electronic-control approximation; a conventional helicopter spring law is not inferred.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- Archer Midnight · MSFS 2024 · family starting point
FlightFX/Microsoft Midnight manual revised October 2, 2024 for MSFS2020/2024; conventional helicopter assumptions do not automatically apply. · Selected choice: Archer Midnight. Documentary scope does not establish every variant, add-on revision or simulator binding.
The simulator model and controls
Archer’s electric vertical-takeoff aircraft, represented in the MSFS 2024 default fleet.
This starting point selects Archer Midnight. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
How this profile feels
The spring stays independent of airspeed. Directed aerodynamic loading is omitted.
Pitch-trim relief is off. Autopilot following is off.
Controls and trim
Midnight uses two inceptors with different jobs. The left manages throttle and speed functions, while the right commands attitude through fly-by-wire. This differs from a helicopter's collective/cyclic arrangement. Electric propulsion also supplies no basis for combustion-idle roughness or conventional piston propwash. The profile follows the selected inceptor arrangement without claiming a measured physical force curve.
About the values
The gains are normalized profile settings. They describe the chosen effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its output limits. IAS references are tuning values rather than operating limits. Physical acceptance of this revision remains pending.
What the documentation establishes
The Midnight uses two inceptors with different functions, rather than a conventional helicopter collective/cyclic arrangement.
The left inceptor manages throttle/speed functions and the right commands attitude through fly-by-wire; physical force response is not quantified.
The electric VTOL inceptor arrangement supports a distinct equipment model; combustion idle and conventional propwash cues remain omitted approximations.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
ReviewedThis starting point selects Archer Midnight. Its aircraft-level settings do not select a particular developer’s custom systems.
Flight controls
ReviewedMidnight uses two inceptors with different jobs. The left manages throttle and speed functions, while the right commands attitude through fly-by-wire. This differs from a helicopter's collective/cyclic arrangement. Electric propulsion also supplies no basis for combustion-idle roughness or conventional piston propwash. The profile follows the selected inceptor arrangement without claiming a measured physical force curve.
Trim
Not yet reviewedThe documented inceptor functions do not establish an elevator-tab or magnetic force-trim mechanism; the profile's hardware centre remains independent. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0.3; roll authority is 0.3.
Autopilot and stability
Not yet reviewedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. Separate neutral hold is on at strength 0.6, when a supported autopilot state admits it.
Equipment
ReviewedGear, flap and ground cues follow the selected settings and available simulator-reported states.
Speeds and limits
Not yet reviewedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
Not yet reviewedThe profile targets msfs2024. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
Not yet reviewedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyFixed centering represents the attitude inceptor's selected electronic-control approximation; a conventional helicopter spring law is not inferred. The baseline spring is 0.55. Low-speed spring blending is off. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whyThe stored 0.04 aerodynamic-load gain is inactive under the fixed-centre control law. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value120.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value60.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 1 and 1, respectively. These stored weights do not create directed aerodynamic loading while that term is inactive. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. Separate neutral hold is on at strength 0.6, when a supported autopilot state admits it. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyFixed centering represents the attitude inceptor's selected electronic-control approximation; a conventional helicopter spring law is not inferred. The baseline spring is 0.55. Low-speed spring blending is off. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whyThe centre preload is 0. No added preload builds a breakout cue; baseline centering and travel curves remain separate. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.04 | What it controls and whyThe stored 0.04 aerodynamic-load gain is inactive under the fixed-centre control law. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value16.8 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value60.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value120.0 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyAdds permitted spring resistance above the full-blend speed. Zero removes this high-speed increase. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 1 and 1, respectively. These stored weights do not create directed aerodynamic loading while that term is inactive. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyThe documented inceptor functions do not establish an elevator-tab or magnetic force-trim mechanism; the profile's hardware centre remains independent. Pitch relief is off, with stored authority 0.3; roll authority is 0.3. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. Separate neutral hold is on at strength 0.6, when a supported autopilot state admits it. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.05 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value1 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value1 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.36 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.88 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0.44 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- The inceptor description does not establish a conventional rotor trim-release mechanism or external trim ownership.
- Speed/hover assistance must not be equated with generic servo backdrive; no such external contract is established here.
- The inceptor functions do not validate the preset's indicated-speed reference through hover-to-wingborne transition.
- Fly-by-wire inceptor roles require specific axis-ownership review; the manual is not an external force-feedback API specification.
- Two-inceptor control laws do not calibrate controller spring resistance or justify exact numeric force coefficients.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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