The 40th Anniversary of Microsoft's longest running franchise (that's right, Microsoft Flight Simulator) is fast approaching. Today, at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase, the team have showcased what is in store for an update coming in November.

It will also mark the first time they've collaborated with an aircraft developer for a simulator update, with iniBuilds teasing that their A310 will come free with the 40th Anniversary edition in November.

To the guts of the announcement: news today centres around a trailer released on the Xbox YouTube channel. It shows a number of new aircraft and indeed categories of aircraft coming soon.

The team start vintage with the first chronologically appearing to be a Wright Flier II - this is followed in quick succession by the Spirit of St. Louis (which carried Charles Lindbergh on his non-stop transatlantic flight in 1927).

A relic of Flight Simulators past, the Douglas DC-3 will also make its way to Microsoft Flight Simulator, appearing here in an Emerald Harbor Air livery. Similarly, the DHC-2 Beaver is also showcased.

The Granville Gee Bee Z Super Sportster also makes an appearance, adding another aerobatic aircraft to the platforms current selection.

Sliding into shot with aptly orchestral music, it was revealed that gliders will shortly be available for Microsoft Flight Simulator too. The model seems to be a Glaser-Dirks DG-808.

Having left rotorheads waiting since the release of the simulator, the developer also showed off helicopters for the first time. A Bell Jetranger and a Cabri G2 look to be the default additions and the video also showcases a number of helipads in the sim.

Finally, right at the end of the video and even after the credits, the developer teased the UNSC Pelican -- an aircraft from Microsoft's Halo franchise -- which will also be making an appearance in the update.

Microsoft Flight Simulator's 40th Anniversary Update will be available in November to all users.

See the source video for this article here.