As one of the worlds largest and most sought after flight simulators on the planet, X-Plane continues to dominate the flight sim market to this very day. While many people are perfectly happy only using the aircraft that come stock with X-Plane 11, many others are not aware that there are literally thousands of other aircraft for X-Plane just waiting to be flown. This is great if you’re worried about ever getting bored with the stock X-Plane aircraft, but it can also be rather overwhelming. If you’ve been looking to upgrade your X-Plane experience but don’t know where to start, keep reading! I’ll go over what I think are the best add on aircraft for X-Plane 11 in 2021 in today’s post!

1. Carenado PC-12

Starting off this list with one of my all time favorite aircraft, the PC-12 add on by Carenado is by far one of the best choices for a beginner to get into pay-ware aircraft for X-Plane 11. Not only is the aircraft fairly easy to learn, but it’s a great way to transition into much more complicated aircraft. The physics of the Carenado PC-12 are specifically designed to work with the X-Plane 11 engine and are incredibly realistic. Coming from someone who occasionally gets to fly PC-12s in real life, I love this add on for X-Plane. Not only does the PC-12 function well, but it looks gorgeous! Carenado incorporated full PBR modeling into the PC-12 giving it an incredibly realistic look. Included in the PC-12 add on are 6 HD liveries to choose from as well as one blank livery if you want to make your own! It also includes a PC-12 electronic flight information system, checklists, and performance tables. If you want to check out the PC-12 for yourself, it can be found here!

2. Airfoil Labs King Air 350

Another great aircraft add on for beginners (or even advanced folks) is the King Air 350 by Airfoil Labs! Similar to the PC-12, the King Air 350 is a great way to transition into more complicated aircraft. The difference between the two is that the King Air is a multi-engine aircraft. If you’ve been wanting to step up your game and transition into a multi-engine aircraft, the King Air 350 could be perfect for you. The King Air 350 is a study sim level aircraft, meaning it’s main goal is to achieve the utmost amount of realism possible. The weight and balance aspect of the king air is even derived from real weight and balance information in the King Air Manual! It would take days to name everything that is modeled in this aircraft which should tell you how  much work has gone into its production. If you’re looking for a realistic, and semi-complicated aircraft to add to your collection, check out the King Air 350 here!

3. Carenado S550 Citation II

Yet another aircraft by Carenado, the S550 Citation II is a great aircraft to consider if you’ve been wanting to transition into a jet aircraft. For a jet, the Citation isn’t terribly complicated but it still has incredible performance. The Citation II is modeled incredibly realistically. It is modeled essentially the same way that the PC-12 by Carenado is modeled and comes with the same features. For those of you wanting to get into jets, but don’t want to get in over your head with an over complicated aircraft, the S550 Citation II is a great choice! It can be found here.

4. Toliss A321

The previous 3 aircraft have all been business class aircraft and are relatively small compared to even small airliners! I knoe that many of you fly Xplane for the large, complex airliners that the simulator has to offer. The A321 by Toliss is an amazing option if you’re wanting to try something other than the MD-82 or 737 that comes with X-Plane. One thing I really like about the Toliss A321 is how customizable it is. You essentially are getting multiple aircraft for the price of one! The options to customize your A321 include a choice of CFM or IAE engine, affecting aircraft performance and fuel burn and a choice of sharklets or classic wing tip fences! If you’re someone that likes to practice emergencies in X-Plane, this A321 comes with detailed systems including fault injection for currently about 90 failures! All that to say, I think that the A321 add on by Toliss is an amazing way to enter the wonderful world of airliners. If you want to pick up a copy for yourself, you can get it here!

5. Colimata Concorde FXP V2

This one is meant to be more of a novelty than a training platform, but it is still an amazing plane to have in your X-Plane arsenal! the Concorde FXP X2 by Colimata is an amazing model of the ever famous Concorde. The number 1 goal with this add on is realism. In the words of the developer: “This add-on aims to do justice to real-life Concorde and its developers. How could a great flight simulation like X-Plane not have a payware quality Concorde available?” The Concorde is an extremely complex aircraft and is not necessarily for beginners, but will definitely keep anyone who flies it busy! If you want to check it out for yourself, it can be found here.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, all the add ons I’ve listed here today are great choices for anyone looking to upgrade their X-Plane experience. The module you choose depends entirely on your needs/wants, but I hope this article was able to provide some insight to those of you who were looking for suggestions on which aircraft to purchase! If you enjoyed, feel free to share, like or comment, and I’ll see you all in the next post!

Check out my post on the best yokes for X-Plane here!

The post Best Add On Aircraft For X-Plane 11 2021 appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

Updated Weather Engine

For many simulator pilots, one of the biggest elements when it comes to a flight simulator’s realism, is the weather. Xplane 11 already has a decent weather engine as it is, but with the coming Xplane12 update, it will definitely be kicked up a notch. Perhaps the best part of the new weather engine will be its ability to read local METAR data and realistically model the weather for any area! To me personally, this is a big deal. I have always liked my simulators to be extra realistic and one of the things that always bothered me with Xplane 11 is that I could practice at my airport and use its local time, but I couldn’t practice with the current weather in my area. It isn’t a huge deal as you can try and replicate yourself in the  weather settings, but it will be quite nice to have accurate local weather modeled in Xplane 12! Another function being added to the Xplane weather system will be the introduction of seasons! Any pilot knows that air temperature can make a huge  difference in the way your plane operates. Having seasons being added to Xplane’s weather will also be a nice addition to its realism. It’ll make for some good looking scenery too!

Graphical Updates

Perhaps the largest part of the Xplane 12 update is going to be the graphics. I have been a long standing user of Xplane but one thing I (and many others) can say about it is that visually, Xplane lacks greatly. Even in 2016 when it was first released the graphics seemed out of date. Xplane has consistently looked like it was made in 2010. I think the team over at Xplane has finally realized this, following the massive popularity in Microsoft Flight Simulator. In order to try and keep up, the Xplane team is going to be releasing quite a few graphical updates in Xplane 12. Most of them have to do with the way the scenery and atmosphere look, but some of the updates change the way the graphics engine functions. Some of the visual updates include: new fully modeled clouds, raindrops and prop-wash, highly realistic water, and a new forest engine. The clouds and raindrops coming with Xplane 12 are going to be amazing for anyone using Xplane to practice IFR. I’m quite excited about them myself.  When it comes to VFR pilots, especially in tropical regions, the way water will be modeled in Xplane 12 will be a vast improvement. According to the presentation, Xplane 12 will model not only the color, but also depth and wave size based on different bodies of water. This will make deciding your altitude visually easier and more realistic when flying over water. Last but not least, there will be a completely new forest engine in Xplane 12! As much as I hate to say it, Xplane 11 has some of the worst looking trees I’ve ever seen. According to the presentation, all trees will be modeled as you get closer in order to make them much better looking and more realistic. I’m quite excited to see how they look! In regards to how Xplane 12 will produce it’s graphics, it will compute graphics data with the GPU before using the CPU. In other Xplane titles, it has been the other way around, using the CPU first. This will be excellent for anyone using high end graphics processors as you will now be able to use it to its fullest extent.

Sound Updates

One thing about Xplane 11 I have always hated is how quiet it is. The only thing that ever makes any noise is the aircraft. When you’re flying this isn’t such a big deal but when you’re on the ground, it feels awkward. Thankfully, Xplane 12 will bring a variety of ambient sounds to the table, finally making Xplane a bit more immersive. One thing Xplane 12 is not fixing, is the annoying computerized voice of air traffic control. There will be a new ATC interface that will make talking to air traffic control more interactive, but the voice remains the same; making me feel like I’m listening to Ok Computer. This is definitely not a huge problem, but it is a pet peeve of mine.

Aircraft

Perhaps what most people are excited for is the new default aircraft that are coming to Xplane 12. According to the presentation, there will be four new aircraft: a fly by wire A330,  a Citation X business jet, a new Cirrus plane, and an F-14. The first three listed will be great! But I do have an issue with the F-14. I have no doubt that it will be a great model, but there is already an incredible F-14 Simulator out there that is incredibly realistic. This is none other than the DCS World F-14. If you’ve never heard of DCS World or want to learn more about it, check out this article here! Xplane may be trying to catch up to DCS World and I don’t blame them, but considering the F-4 phantom that is in Xplane 11 right now, I’m not expecting anything special. With that being said, the A330, Citation, and Cirrus will be three more great aircraft to have at your disposal!

Conclusion

I know that many people were quite disappointed by the Xplane 12 presentation as they were expecting a lot more out of it. But personally, I’m quite excited to see what Xplane 12 brings to the table. I’ve loved Xplane for its realism but never enjoyed the way it looked, if Xplane can get its graphics on par with Microsoft Flight Simulator, I will be over the moon. Ultimately, we can’t make any judgments about Xplane 12 until it is actually released. But until then, fly safe.

-Camden Crace

The post Xplane 12: What’s New? appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

Logitech G Pro

A very popular control surface among flight simulator enthusiasts, the Logitech G Pro is a very decent option for your setup. Unlike many other yokes, the G Pro comes with its own throttle quadrant. Having a good throttle quadrant is, in my opinion, a vital aspect when it comes to realism. The difference between using buttons on a keyboard and actually having a throttle in your hand is night and day. Aside from this, the G Pro has a small screen on the front to display times or frequencies which can be very helpful. The G Pro however, is not all perfect. The biggest issue i have seen with the yoke myself is the build quality. The G Pro feels a bit flimsy at times and makes quite a few noises. This however doesn’t impede its usability. If you want to check out the G Pro, the link can be found below!

Honeycomb Alpha

Coming up next is the Honeycomb Alpha yoke by Honeycomb aeronautical. The Honeycomb Alpha is made for student pilots and thus, designed to have the utmost realism. Aside from being an incredibly realistic control surface, the Alpha meets a very high standard of build quality. This is a yoke that will last you a very long time. A vast majority of the reviews in regards to this yoke are overwhelmingly positive. The Honeycomb Alpha truly lives up to its name. The only issue I can see with this yoke is its lack of buttons and a throttle quadrant. These can easily be purchased separately, but it can be rather inconvenient. If you’re looking for a very high quality yoke check it out with the link below!

CH Products Yoke

Third on the list is the yoke by CH Products. Another extremely popular control surface among desktop aviators, this yoke is probably the best bang for you buck. The CH Products yoke has several basic buttons and a throttle quadrant built in! It’s very difficult to find all  of these features in one yoke at this price. This yoke is one that I believe is perfect for beginners who don’t want to spend too much money up front. It has everything you need to get started and at a relatively low price! This low price does however come with a few caveats. The biggest one being the build quality. The CH Products yoke is made almost entirely out of plastic and is a bit flimsy. This is expected however considering the price. If this doesn’t bother you, or you’re a beginner looking to get started, check it out via the link below!

Conclusion

My goal with this post is to help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing a yoke for your setup. The three yokes I have listed are all very decent, they just have strengths in different areas! If this post did help you make a decision on a yoke, make sure you use our affiliate links! It really helps us out and helps us help you by supplying more content! Feel free to comment and share!

-Camden Crace

The post 3 Best Yokes For Microsoft Flight Simulator and Xplane 11 2021 appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

Checklists

Perhaps the best way I have found to use a flight simulator in my pilot training is to use it practice my checklists! If you’ve even flown just a little bit you know just how important checklists are to aviation. If there is a task in a cockpit, there is a checklist for it. Because of this, there is a mountain if information pilots need to be familiar with and better yet, have memorized. For most people, sitting down and memorizing the hundreds of tasks in order for all of your checklists is extremely  difficult on its own. This is where using a flight simulator comes in. I’ve personally found that practicing your checklists at home with a simulator has helped me out tremendously. I no longer have to constantly flip through my checklist booklet to find what I need to do. After just a few days of at-home practice, I essentially have my checklists memorized! A flight simulator helps you memorize your checklists by having you associate each task with a physical action rather than trying to shove it all into your mind and risk forgetting it later.  I highly recommend using a flight simulator to help you get familiar with your checklists if you’re having trouble with them.

Traffic Patterns

Another very helpful use of flight simulators for pilots, especially beginners is using them to practices different traffic patterns! I know for me personally, when I was starting out, traffic patterns for different airports where pretty confusing and rather intimidating. Using a simulator to help me practice and understand the different procedures has helped me out quite a bit. The benefit to using a simulator is that you don’t have the pressure of real traffic to worry about so you can focus on what turns you need to do, and when.

Basic Maneuvers

The biggest part of your flight training when you’re starting out is going to be maneuvers. These include steep turns, ground reference maneuvers, stalls, etc. While these are great to practice in a real plane, the biggest issue many people run into is the cost to fly. Flying for any amount of time can get very expensive very fast. While nothing can replace practicing in a real aircraft, if you’re having trouble with something, using a flight simulator to help you practice basic thing on your own time can help tremendously. Like I said before, no simulator can replace practicing in a real aircraft. You can’t feel  your plane in a simulator like you can in a real plane. You should always practice in a real plane if you can. However using a simulator as a supplement is always helpful.

New/Different Aircraft

Last but certainly not least, you can use a simulator to try out new aircraft! Eventually in your aviation career, you will have to change aircraft. Consistently changing up which aircraft you’re flying is extremely beneficial to your general knowledge of aviation. Practicing your skill and knowledge of different aircraft models and systems will make you a more well rounded pilot. The awesome thing about flight simulators is that you have hundreds of different aircraft at your fingertips. With these aircraft you can study their systems, flight characteristics and general information. Like I said before, knowing how to operate a variety of different aircraft will make you an extremely well rounded pilot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using a good quality flight simulator (such as X-Plane or MSFS) can be extremely beneficial to both your student pilot career and professional pilot career. With that being said, it is not a replacement for your training in the real world. Flight simulators should be treated as a supplement to your training. They are however, still very beneficial to your general aviation knowledge and skill. If you enjoyed, feel free to drop a comment and share!

-Camden Crace

If you’re wondering what simulator to use, feel free to check out my other post on Microsoft Flight Simulator and Xplane 11 Here!

The post How To Use a Flight Simulator In Your Flight Training appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

It’s Free! (sorta)

Perhaps the number one reason you should start playing DCS World is that it’s free! The idea of any flight simulator being free is impressive on its own. But the fact that a simulator of DCS’s caliber is free is astounding at the very least. The base copy of DCS World is completely free of charge and comes with two aircraft and two maps to fly around in. The two aircraft included are the TF-51D and the SU-25T Frogfoot. The TF-51 is what is called a ‘high fidelity’ model meaning that most, if not all of an aircraft has been modeled.  The SU-25 is still a high quality and well modeled aircraft, just not as much as the TF-51. Both of these aircraft being included in the base model of DCS World is incredibly generous of the Eagle Dynamics team and are an amazing way to get started in DCS World! This however is only the tip of the iceberg. DCS World has lots of other modules and maps that are available for purchase. On top of that, there are many more community made mods for DCS world and many of them are free! Buying some of these modules, especially the high fidelity ones, allow you to squeeze the full potential out of the simulator. It’s also a great way to pay your respects to the team at Eagle Dynamics and support the evolution of the simulator in the years to come!

It Improves Your Technical Learning Abilities

Like I mentioned before, DCS World was the first flight simulator I ever got to play with. After a few months of piddling around in DCS World I started my flight training in the real world. Right off the bat I could tell that it had given me a considerable head start. I already knew most, if not all of the instruments in the cockpit, how to use them, and some basic flight maneuvers. I attribute most of this knowledge to my time spent in DCS World. This is because, for the most part, you have to teach yourself how to fly and operate the aircraft in DCS World. The module I spent the most time in was the F-5E Tiger II. This is an extremely realistic high fidelity model. Whats more is that each aircraft module comes with an in-depth manual to help you out! Learning about each aircraft and putting fourth your knowledge is very good for not only pilots, but anyone who does anything that requires any sort of critical thinking or technically based knowledge. Because military aircraft are inherently complicated, it makes figuring out less complicated aircraft MUCH easier.

The Community

One thing I have noticed during my time playing DCS World is how welcoming and close-knit the DCS community is. The DCS community is very similar to that of the aviation community! Everyone is friendly, seems to know each other and are all generally just there to have a good time. Not only outside the game, but even in public servers people are generally respectful and try to make sure everyone is having a good time. It’s not often you find a niche community that has a welcoming presence like DCS’s does. What’s nice about this is that for beginners, any questions or concerns will promptly be addressed. I know this first hand. Not only is the surrounding community a great place, but the company Eagle Dynamics is very good about listening to its users and doing its best to address their needs. All in all, the DCS community is a great place and a wonderful addition to the simulator itself.

DCS World Is Fun!

Last but certainly not least, is another reason you should try your hand at DCS World. It’s fun! Almost none of us will ever have the chance to pilot a fighter aircraft in real life. With the addition of virtual reality and highly realistic models and graphics, DCS World brings the experience of being a fighter pilot into your own home. It’s also a great way to meet new people with similar interests! To me and many others, DCS is more than just a game; it’s a hobby. For all military aircraft enthusiasts and the like, DCS World is an amazing experience that’s unmatched by any other program.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for a game to pass the time, or a highly realistic simulator, DCS World can fulfill both of these needs. It is a wonderfully developed simulator with an equally wonderful community surrounding it. I hope that more people come to discover Digital Combat Simulator over time and help grow the community over the years. Hopefully this article was able to provide you with some decent insight regarding the world of DCS. If you enjoyed, feel free to share, drop a comment or both! it really helps us out!

***(disclaimer: Do not use DCS World or any other simulator as a replacement for real life flight training. Only conduct flight training under the supervision of certified persons)***

-Camden Crace

The post DCS World: Why You Should Start Playing appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

5. Thrustmaster T16000 M

First up on the list is the Thrustmaster T16000 M.  One of the main reasons I’ve picked the T16000 for this list is its price. These can easily be found for around $150 dollars. For a decent throttle and stick, this is a steal! The T16000 M features hall effect magnetic sensors, making it extremely accurate. The build quality for its price is alright, but like any stick in its price-range, it’s not perfect. This HOTAS also doesn’t have as many buttons to map as other sticks, but it has enough to get the job done! Because of this, it has made number 5 on this list. If build quality and mapping aren’t too much of an issue for you, this could be a great option! The T16000 M can be found below!

4. Logitech G X56

Next up on the list is the Logitech GX56.  With plenty of buttons and switches for you to map, good and ergonomics, the GX56 is a great option for a HOTAS. Logitech has been in the joystick and HOTAS game for a very long time so they know what they’re doing! The X56 is designed to be customizable and fit the needs of all simulator pilots. The spring in the X56 is fully adjustable for accuracy and has 189+  programable surfaces.  One of the great things about this stick is that it has an independent double throttle, allowing for great control of multi-engine aircraft. All this sounds great, and it is! But the G X56 doesn’t come without its flaws. The number one flaw that comes up in many online reviews is the build quality. For the price,  Logitech seems to have slacked a bit when it come to making a solid build. It is for this reason it has made number 4 on the list. If build quality isn’t your main concern however, this could be a great pick for you! You can find this HOTAS below.

3. Microsoft Sidewinder

Third on the list is the Microsoft Sidewinder Precision Joystick. At first glance you may be wondering why it is on this list as it doesn’t have nearly as many mapping surfaces as other sticks, and doesn’t have a  full throttle quadrant. You would be correct, but the reason I’ve put this stick at number three is because, in my opinion, it’s the best stick for someone just starting out in DCS World. If you don’t already know, DCS World, if you’re serious about it can be quite the investment. Although it’s a free game, you have to pay for more, better, aircraft modules, and have to put some money into a decent HOTAS. In many cases, the HOTAS is what makes up the majority of the cost. If you’re just starting out and (understandably), don’t want to drop $200-$500 dollars on a HOTAS to play with, the Microsoft Sidewinder I believe is  your best option.  It has just enough buttons to map your basic controls, like weapons systems, flight configuration and trim. It also has a decent build quality for its price. These can many times, be found for less than 50 bucks! Because of this, it has made number three on the list. If you want to pick one of these up, I’ll drop the link below!

2. Logitech X52

Making second place on the list is another Logitech HOTAS; the X52. Although an older stick like the sidewinder, the X52 can still hold its ground. The X52 has plenty of surfaces to map your controls on, but perhaps the greatest feature of this HOTAS is its MFD (Multi Function Display). Whats cool about having an MFD on your HOTAS is that it can create a very Immersive experience. The build quality of this stick isn’t too bad and its priced relatively modestly at around $150 dollars. Like I said, the number one selling point of the X52 is the MFD, and personally I think its an incredible feature. Like the others, the link for this HOTAS is below if you’d like to pick one up.

1. Thrustmaster Warthog

Taking first place on the list is undoubtedly the king of all HOTAS systems, the Thrustmaster Warthog. With 18 mappable surfaces, magnetic hall-effect sensors, dual throttle, and weighted base, the warthog is the end all be all of home simulator HOTAS systems. The Warthogs built quality is unmatched, with most of its construction being metal. Another thing to note about this HOTAS is its weighted bases. This may not seem like much, but if you’ve ever tried to play DCS, or any other simulator with a light HOTAS, it can end up being a pretty bad experience sometimes. The Warthog features a replica of the HOTAS used in real life A-10 attack aircraft; hence the name. Whats nice about the Warthog stick is that you can change it out for other sticks such as the F-18 stick if you wanted! This HOTAS however, is quite pricey, but I believe its worth it, considering it will probably be the only HOTAS you’ll ever have to buy. All in all, the Warthog is one of the best options if you’re serious about DCS and you can find a link to it below.

In conclusion, the best HOTAS for you is the one that best fits your needs. I do hope however, this post was able to provide some insight on todays HOTAS market and maybe even help you make a choice! If you enjoyed feel free to drop a comment or get in contact with me!

-Camden Crace

The post 5 Best HOTAS for DCS World 2021 appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

1. Graphics

Microsoft Flight Simulator:

In recent months Microsoft Flight Simulator has taken off in popularity. With its platforms spanning across PC and  Xbox, it has the ability to reach a very wide range of audiences. But how much of Microsoft Flight Simulator is a realistic flight simulator and how much of it is just a video game to  pass the time?  When it come to Microsoft Flight Simulator, it is undoubtedly the king when it comes to how its looks. Bear in mind, that’s not to say that X-plane looks bad at all! X-plane 11 can still look absolutely gorgeous, Microsoft Flight Simulator just looks better.  In fact, Microsoft Flight Simulator models real world objects down to a stunning 3cm of accuracy! This gobsmacking graphics do however come with a cost. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a top of the line system, you are not going to get top of the line graphics.  So if your number 1 priority is for your flight simulator to look as beautiful as it can be, but don’t have the system to run it, Microsoft Flight Simulator may not be the best option for you. If you’re wondering how you can get your hands on a system that can, check out my last post here! If you do happen to already have hefty computer and want insane photorealism out of your simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator may just be your best bet.

X-Plane 11:

Although Microsoft Flight Simulator is known for its insanely realistic graphics, X-Plane 11 can still hold its ground. If given enough computing power and optimized correctly, X-Plane 11 can still look quite stunning! This is however, more aimed at the graphics of the aircraft itself. X-Plane 11 still looks great but severely lacks in photorealist modeling of ground objects and ground textures. If doesn’t bother you however, X-Plane could still be a very serious contender.

Winner: Microsoft Flight Simulator

When it comes to how the simulator looks and how realistic its graphics are, Microsoft Flight Simulator easily takes the cake. With its insanely detailed ground modeling as well as its stunning graphics inside the cockpit, Microsoft Flight Simulator beats X-Plane 11 to the punch. Like I said before, That’s not to say the X-Plane 11 looks bad! Microsoft just looks better.

2. Realism

Microsoft Flight Simulator:

Although Microsoft Flight took the lead with the last category it does have its drawbacks. Microsoft Flight Sim might have very real looking graphics and very realistic system to model ground object, it’s not exactly the most realistic simulator out there. As a real life pilot, I am rather disappointed at how unrealistic Microsoft Flight Simulator’s flight models  can tend to be. Not everything about them is bad, but there are small things that make the experience more unrealistic and feel more like a video game than a simulator. Some basic aerodynamic maneuvers that can be performed in real life are very difficult, if not impossible to do in  the Microsoft flight sim.  Aircraft react differently, or not at all to situations (such as stall and takeoff speeds) unlike their real life counterparts. The flight models feel good to fly, but aren’t exactly realistic. Keep in mind this varies from aircraft to aircraft as each model is different, but with my experience, I was left a little disappointed. With that being said, if you’re wanting a simulator you can use to practice for flying in real life, I cant exactly say I can recommend Microsoft Flight Simulator. If you are however, just wanting a gorgeous looking game you can use to take virtual joyrides, Microsoft Flight Simulator will do just fine.

X-Plane 11:

What X-Plane lacks in graphics, it definitely makes up for in realism. Although it may not have the most realistic ground graphics, the flight models in most X-Plane 11 aircraft are arguably unmatched. It’s easy to see that realism was the primary goal of the X-Plane team as there are settings to optimize the flight modeling built directly into the program.  In fact, X-Plane was seen as a game changer in the simulation world when it first came out as it uses what is called “Blade Element Modeling”, which is far more realistic than standard flight modeling. Like I had mentioned with Microsoft Flight Simulator, the flight models can vary between different aircraft modules, especially if they are community-made. But with my experience (especially with the aircraft the came with my copy of X-Plane), they were all quite realistic. If you are wanting a simulator you can realistically use to practice your flying skills, X-Plane 11 is probably your best option. This program is used by many pilots (including myself); which is probably why it has maintained its seniority in the flight simulator community.

Winner: X-Plane 11

When it comes to the realism of both simulators, X-Plane 11 is crowned king. The X-Plane team has done, and continues to do an incredible job providing a realistic flight simulation experience that is relatively unmatched in the simulation world. If you want a realistic flight simulator, I can easily recommend X-Plane 11.

3. Cost

Microsoft Flight Simulator:

At first glance, both Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 11 appear to cost the same; but this is not so. Although both programs have the initial price tag of around 60 USD, if you want to get the full potential out of each program, you are going to want to dedicate a little extra money to purchasing extra aircraft modules. With the initial purchase, Microsoft Flight Simulator includes 20 aircraft modules. A list of these aircraft can be found with a simple google search, but the included aircraft generally is well rounded with a mix of large airliners, private jets, and small prop driven aircraft. Both Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 11 have a community of developers pumping out plenty of freeware modules that you don’t have to pay for. Microsoft Flight Simulator has a very wide selection of freeware but also has plenty of extra aircraft that you can pay for. Are those modules worth the money? That’s for you to decide!

X-Plane 11:

While Microsoft Flight Simulator has plenty of freeware, X-Plane 11 has a plethora of paid flight modules that are well worth the money. One of my favorites is the Pilatus PC-12 Module. I work on, and eventually will be flying this aircraft in real life and really enjoy the realism of the model. X-Plane still has plenty of freeware to offer, but I personally think your time is better spent spending a few extra bucks on some decent paid modules.

Winner: It’s A Tie!

Both X-Plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator will work just fine without any financial investments other than the initial purchase. However, if there are certain aircraft you are wanting to fly in either simulator that are not included, you are going to have to spend some money. With that being said, the amount of money you need to put into each program for it to be a worthwhile experience is completely subjective, and is the reason I am calling it a tie in this category.

Final Remarks

To sum things up, both Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane 11 are wonderful simulation programs. Depending on what you intend to get out of a simulator is where consideration between the two comes into play. This is precisely the reason I have written this article. I hope it was able to aid you in making a decision on which simulator you decide to go with. If it has, feel free to drop a comment below telling me what you chose, I really appreciate your feedback! Thanks for reading! 

The post Microsoft Flight Simulator VS Xplane 11. Which is better? appeared first on The Desktop Aviator.

1. Decide What You Want From Your Computer

I’ve always said that the very first step in building any computer is to decide what exactly you want from your computer and how you want it to perform. This holds just as true with flight simulation as it does with any other computing task. Although they all do the same thing, not all flight simulators are created equal.  Some simulators can tend to be extremely CPU heavy while others will be GPU heavy and visa versa. It is very important to learn about the program(s) you want to run with your computer so that you can make well educated decisions when purchasing your parts. Learning about what each program requires in regards to computing power is also important so that you can avoid bottlenecks. If you don’t know what a bottleneck is, I’ll link a very helpful article here. But to put it simply, in the PC world a bottleneck is when one part of the PC (such as the CPU) slows down everything else because it lacks the power to keep up with everything else. This means you could spend several thousand dollars on a very high end GPU and only get a fraction of its performance because you skimped on your CPU not knowing the program you intended to run was much more CPU heavy.  Once you have determined the specific program(s) you would like your PC to run, take some time to learn about their minimum system requirements and make sure that your planned system is up to par. Following this you should be well on your way to building your very own flight simulation PC.

2. Budget

I know I know.. no one likes to talk about spending their hard earned cash. But I have to be brutally honest. Building a solid, long lasting system can be EXPENSIVE. Especially at the time of writing this article. But even if you have the extra cash to throw at a shiny new computer, a budget is still a very useful tool when constructing your system. A good budget helps to keep everything organized when picking and ordering parts, and also helps by adding guidelines to certain parts you should go for if your budget is rather limited.  Either way, if you want to keep your money and parts organized during the process of constructing your system, a budget is a simple, but very useful tool.

3. Part Picking

Now comes the fun part! You’ve figured out what you want your computer to do, you’ve set up your budget and now you get to start ordering some parts! If you’ve never built a computer before, the task may sound daunting but in reality, its quite simple. PCs are pretty much Lego for grownups. You get all of your parts and you stick everything together (sorta).  When it comes to building a computer there are 9 main parts that make up the PC. These are:

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Motherboard
• Memory (RAM)
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
• Power Supply Unit (PSU)
• Storage
• System Cooling
• Peripherals
• Case
• Operating System (OS) i.e. Windows, Mac, Linux…

These 9 main parts are what make every computer system.  After studying the minimum system requirements for the flight simulators you would like your PC to run, picking your parts should be a breeze. Pretty much all of the important parts for running the programs is listed in the system requirements. Just pick the parts that perform equal or better than the program requires. Like I said before, be careful about bottlenecks! You don’t want to waste all your money on a high end part only for it to be dragged down by the rest of your system. A couple of good places to look for parts are http://newegg.com and http://bestbuy.com.

4. Put it all together!

By now you should have all your parts together and be ready to construct your system. If you have never constructed a PC before that task can be rather daunting, but I can assure you it’s much easier than most people think. It’s a lot like Lego for grownups! You get all your pieces and put everything together! There are literally hundreds if not thousands of videos on YouTube explaining how to properly construct a PC. I recommend you watch a couple of these before you start messing around with all your shiny new parts. PC parts are VERY delicate and I am not responsible for any damage you do to your computer or parts within it. I urge you to be careful when putting your computer together and maybe spend a few extra bucks on some specialized tools such as a static wristband to make your process easier and safer for you and your computer.  Once you’ve got everything together it’s time for the first boot!

5. Start ‘Er Up!

After assembling your computer parts and spending a few minutes to admire your work, it’s time to boot up your computer for the first time. This can be a little scary as it may not work properly (or at all) the first time you power it on. Don’t freak out! Usually  haven’t broken anything and there is just a disconnected cable. However, before your first boot, I urge you to double check that everything is connected properly and securely to increase your chances of a successful first boot! Once you finish troubleshooting and get your PC working, just load up your programs and your good to go and have fun flying from your desk!

Conclusion:

Weather your flying around the world in X Plane, or flying intense dogfights in DCS World, we can all agree that without our computer, none of it would be possible. I hope I was able to provide a good amount of insight to those building for the first time or at the very least, an entertaining read for those of you who are experienced builders. If you’re looking for a good simulator to run on your shiny new PC you can check out this post here!

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