Skip to navigation | Skip to content

Share your knowledge. Make a difference.

Flight Simulators

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 4 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #141 in Games, #3390 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

A Review of Flight Simulation Software

 

This lens explores popular Flight Simulator software products. Microsoft's Flight Simulator X Deluxe Edition, the FAA approved X-Plane and the open source Flight Gear products. I have taken glider flight instruction and flown in gliders many times but until I can save up enough to complete my training, a good flight simulator helps me keep my skills up to date.

I have mostly worked with X-Plane but just picked up Microsoft's Flight Simulator X Deluxe edition. My first impression is I like X-Planes instrument panels better but Microsoft's product does include some nice flight instruction tutorials. The graphics and terrain in both products have been drastically improved and provide a nice flight experience.

Try demos of the products before you buy. Flight Simulator X, X-Plane, Flight Gear.

Purchasing a helicopter, plane or glider gift flight is a great idea for those that love to fly.

Microsoft's Latest, Flight Simulator X Deluxe Edition 

The deluxe edition contains additional aircraft.

The updated graphics are very nice. The tutorials are great and a voice walks you through your flight, providing tips on how best to perform tasks, which keys to use to take actions and also provides flight theory. I am impressed with this feature.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD

Amazon Price: $36.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick (963290-0403)

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

CH Products Flight Sim Yoke USB ( 200-615 )

Amazon Price: $99.24 (as of 10/13/2008)

Microsoft Flight Simulator X System Requirements 

It will not be fun to play if your system is too slow.

Windows XP SP2 256MB memory
Processor 1.0Ghz
Hard Drive Space 15GB
Video Card DirectX 9.0c Compliant with 32MB ram

I have seen a tiny bit of slowness on my 3.0Ghz Pentium 4 Dell E510 with 1GB RAM and a PCI express 256MB RAM video card.

Laminar Research's X-Plane 

This product if F.A.A. approved for flight training.

I really enjoy this product and there is a strong user community supporting X-Plane. X-Plane 8.6 also runs on Linux!

X-Plane Deluxe

Amazon Price: (as of 10/13/2008)

X Plane

Amazon Price: (as of 10/13/2008)

X-Plane System Requirements 

Works on a Mac & Linux

Windows Pentium 1ghz+ any chip, 2 ghz+
Macintosh PowerMac 800+ G4 or G5 1ghz+
Linux x86 any chip, 2 ghz+
Linux PPC ODW, 1ghz+
RAM 384 meg 1 gig for speed
Disk Space 4 gig 60 gig
CD/DVD CD DVD
3-D CARD OpenGL OpenGL
VRAM 16 meg 32 meg
Monitor 1024x768+ 1024x768+
Joystick/Yoke USB USB

Linux Flight Simulators 

Many people have given up on both Mac OS X and Windows, luckily there are chioces.
Flight Gear for Linux
FlightGear is an open-source, multi-platform flight simulator. They even have a boot from CDROM version. I will be testing the Bootable CD version soon and I expect to see much better performance.
X-Plane
Works with Linux!

Microsoft Flight Simulator Resources and Add Ons 

The Deluxe version contains 17 aircraft, but we always want more!

FsDome
A site with many planes and add ons for Flight Simulator.
Sim Radar
A Flight Simulator Community.
A deeper look inside Flight Simulator
This site provides a closer look at the Flight Simulator product.

X-Plane Resources and Add Ons 

Laminar Research's Main Site
Check out the specifications of X-Plane. Historically X-Plane has proven to have better flight dynamics than other products.
X-Plane.org
A nice X-Plane user community site with many resources.
Get the full experience
After you add your flight controls, get a platform to be able to sense the real motion associated with your flight experience.

Best Flight Simulation Software or Game 

Please put in your favorite!

Help others know which products are best by adding an amazon link to your favorite flight simulator product, then voting for it.
Thanks...

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD

Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD

Flight Simulator X will awe flight simulator fans more...1 point

Falcon 4.0: Allied Force

Falcon 4.0: Allied Force

Pilot three different variants of the F-16 Fightin more...0 points

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight

Flight Simulator 2004: A Century Of Flight celebra more...0 points

X-Plane 8.0 (DVD-ROM)

X-Plane 8.0 (DVD-ROM)

X-Plane 8 is the comprehensive flight sim availabl more...0 points

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: Pacific Theater

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: Pacific Theater

In Combat Flight Simulator 2, you'll expereince an more...0 points

X-Plane Deluxe Including 7 Double Layer DVDs (Mac)

X-Plane Deluxe Including 7 Double Layer DVDs (Mac)

X-Plane 8 Deluxe is the most comprehensive flight more...0 points

Wii Flight Simulation on Amazon 

I've just started testing Wii flight simulation games.
Tom Clancy's HAWX is due out in 2009 for the Wii and I can't wait.

Rebel Raiders: Operation Nighthawk

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII

This game is OK but the control response is a little slow.

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

WWII Aces

Amazon Price: $25.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

MiniCopter: Adventure Flight

Amazon Price: $27.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

Check for Reviews of Flight Simulator Software 

Game Spot
Gamespot has well written reviews of software products. Microsoft Flight Simulator X deluxe edition rated 8.4 out of 10. X-Plane version 8 7.9.

Flight Controls 

CH products are recommended for flight controls

Be sure to check out the low cost motion simulator from X-Plane to get the most realistic experience. Be sure to also check Flight Control reviews before you buy.

I can use both my sidewinder pedals as well as my joystick with X-Plane, but I have not figured how to use both in flight simulator.

CH Products Fighterstick USB

Amazon Price: $100.43 (as of 10/13/2008)

Saitek X52 Flight Control System

This is the product I use and the price on this unit has fallen quite a bit.

Amazon Price: $93.12 (as of 10/13/2008)

Saitek Aviator Dual Throttle Joystick ( PS33 )

Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 10/13/2008)

Experience the Atmosphere - Take a Glider Ride 

I got a good understanding of what is happening in the sky when I took my first glider ride. At the time I was studying Aviation Meteorology in college and it is amazing to experience how chaotic the air is, even if the sky is blue.
Soaring Society
I have taken glider flight lessons and have flown in a glider 6 times, once with my 3 year old. I hope to get a glider license in the future, but for now I keep practicing with my flight simulator software.
Mile High Gliding
This is where I have taken flight instruction and take glider rides with my kids.

Flickr Glider Pictures 

Glider airborne by cjmorrellphotos

614 VGS

Glider Cockpit by sdabel

Uploaded 25-Jun-2000

Glider by Jeffrey & Mami

Glider taking off at Harris Hill, in Elmira, NY by Jeremiah Kellogg

Glider in tow at Harris Hill.

Descending glider by JonTait2002

Glider on the way back home. Pocklington Gliding Club.

Experience the Atmosphere - Helicopter Rides 

I have always wanted to learn how to fly a helicopter.

My Father's day gift might be a Helicopter ride and flight instruction!
Rotors of the Rockies Helicopter Rides!
While gliders provide a quiet flight, Helicopters are very cool. Maybe I have seen too many Magnum P.I. episodes.

Helicopter Flickr Plexo 

Pick your favorite or add a new one!

Don't forget to vote.

LAFD Helicopter Battles Wildfire Near Forest Lawn
LAFD Helicopter Battles Wildfire Near Forest Lawn

#1

0 points
Helicopter
Helicopter

#2

0 points
Helicopter in the Grand Canyon
Helicopter in the Grand Canyon

#3

0 points
Fire Helicopter Refills it's Water
Fire Helicopter Refills it's Water

#4

0 points
Schweizer300
Schweizer300

#5

0 points

New Quick Flight Poll 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Flight Simulator Stuff on eBay 

Microsoft's Flight Simulator 2004 was a highly rated product.

Keep an eye out for less expensive flight simulator controls and software

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

New Guestbook 

carmine

this game rocks!



university of miami apparel

Posted June 10, 2008

BFuniv.com

Lots of info, well worth the read, thank you.

Posted May 02, 2008

hgjhg

Hi, Edmands Great Lens ? . I have also created a lens in the same niche.Hope u like it ???
ClickHere!

Posted September 12, 2007

vbbv

Hi, Edmands Great Lens ? . I have also created a lens in the same niche.Hope u like it ???
ClickHere!

Posted September 12, 2007

Conclusion 

Thanks for taking the time to look at my lens. I will add content as I continue to explore these products.

What is your favorite flight simulator software? Build a lens and share your opinion. It's easy!

After a long flight simulation, be sure to get some exercise by flying a kite or rocket. Check out my Lensography to see my other contributions to Squidoo if you have time.

--Todd
X
Edmands

About Edmands

Todd is a Systems Engineer with a Masters Degree in Systems Engineering/Information Assurance and an undergraduate degree in Geography. When time permits, he builds quality Squidoo lenses or practices his hobbies (Lego Robotics, rocketry, kites and studying creativity). His lenses support National Public Radio (NPR).

Edmands's Pages

See all of Edmands's pages