Halo's Pelican Is Free in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but Only Until November 17
Fly your dropship before Monday, Spartan.
Halo's D77-TC Pelican dropship is free to fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 until November 17, and after that it costs $9.99. Microsoft added it on November 10 to celebrate Halo's 25th anniversary, Windows Central reports, and it works on PC, Xbox Series X|S and PS5. It's the same dropship that has carried Master Chief, and a lot of very nervous Marines, into battle since Halo: Combat Evolved.
How do you get the Halo Pelican in Flight Simulator 2024?
Open the Marketplace from the main menu and look for the "D77-TC Pelican (free trial)" banner. If it isn't there, search for "Pelican" and pick the Microsoft/Asobo listing, then press "Get for Free." It shows up in your aircraft list as the Misriah Armory D77-TC Pelican, according to Windows Central.
Do you keep the Pelican after November 17?
No, because this is a one-week free trial. MSFS Addons says the trial runs from November 10 to November 17, and it even corrected an earlier version of its story that said players could keep the ship. From November 18, a permanent license costs $9.99 in the in-sim Marketplace. Microsoft hasn't given an exact cutoff time, so get your flights in before Monday night. (Spartans don't wait for Monday.)
What can the Pelican do in Flight Simulator?
Quite a lot for a fictional ship. Its flight model switches between drone-style and jet-style propulsion, it has custom Halo-inspired avionics, and the full interior is modeled, cargo bay included, according to MSFS Addons. You also get 12 liveries to choose from. (That's more attention than some real planes in the sim get.)
Wasn't the Pelican already in Flight Simulator?
It was. The Pelican first arrived as a free add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 in June 2022, when it was revealed at the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. It was made with 343 Industries, the studio now called Halo Studios, based on the Halo Infinite version, and MSFS Addons calls it the sim's first fictional aircraft.
The timing isn't an accident either. Halo: Combat Evolved launched with the original Xbox in November 2001, which makes this weekend its 25th birthday. If you still have feelings about the remake, our take on Halo: Campaign Evolved is right here.
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My read is that this is the easiest win in gaming this weekend. It's a free week with a Halo dropship you can fly over your actual house, and $9.99 to keep it is a fair price for anyone who grew up on Halo. (Grocery store roof landings are optional.)
Are you claiming the Pelican? Tell us in the comments.
