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 "FlightGear" is an Open
Source (aka Free) flight simulator program which I first wrote about in 2012. It
has come a long way - and was pretty dran good, aven back then - and is now a viable
competitor for Microsoft's Flight Simulator (MSFS). The leatest release
as of this writing is 2024.1.1. The graphics are superb and easily on par with MSFS.
FlightGear has a joystick interface, but I don't own a joystick, so my experience
with it using keyboard inputs. VR headsets are also supported now. The basic download
comes with a couple dozen aircraft, and there are many additional models available
as separate downloads. FlightGear runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Thanks to all
the folks who have spent their valuable time developing FlightGear!
Per the About page
on the FlightGear website:
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"Introduction to FlightGear FlightGear is an open-source flight simulator. It
supports a variety of popular platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.) and is developed
by skilled volunteers from around the world. Source code for the entire project
is available and licensed under the GNU General Public License.
The goal of the FlightGear project is to create a sophisticated and open flight
simulator framework for use in research or academic environments, pilot training,
as an industry engineering tool, for DIY-ers to pursue their favorite interesting
flight simulation idea, and last but certainly not least as a fun, realistic, and
challenging desktop flight simulator. We are developing a sophisticated, open simulation
framework that can be expanded and improved upon by anyone interested in contributing.
FlightGear is a free flight simulator project. It is being developed through
the gracious contributions of source code and spare time by many talented people
from around the globe. Among the many goals of this project are the quest to minimize
short cuts and “do things right”, the quest to learn and advance knowledge, and
the quest to have better toys to play with."
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These are the opening setup/configuration screens
Cessna 172 Skyhawk instrument panel (L) and chase plane view of takeoff
(R)
Chase plane view of Cessna 172 Skyhawk on runway (L) and final approach
view from cockpit (R)
Keyboard control menus
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