Download FlightGear (Windows) – Download & Review Free

flight equipment is a comprehensive yet simple flight simulator for aircraft designers and soon-to-be pilots. Its main goal is to create a complex and realistic flying environment in research or pilot training.

Since it comes with three main flight dynamics models (FDMs), namely “JBSim”, “YASim” and “UIUC”, the application is designed to simulate and build a reasonable aircraft without actually configuring all conventional aerodynamics learning test data.

The first model is written in C++ and enables you to define the motion of the aircraft or rocket and model the current aircraft in an XML configuration file. Because variables such as mass properties, aerodynamics, and flight control properties are defined in XML documents, you can easily configure flight control systems, propulsion, and landing gear placement.

A second model called YASim uses a different approach than JBSim because it simulates the corollary effects of airflow. The main advantage is that you can perform the entire simulation process based on geometry and mass information.

The last mod, the UIUC (based on LaRCsim) extends the entire flight simulation to a new level that pilots and aircraft designers will know how to play. The model is plugged with code for simulating the aircraft in icing conditions.

As far as the external environment is concerned, FlightGear includes a variety of real-world airports, accurate global terrain, detailed sky models with correct placement of the sun, moon, stars and planets for the specified time and date, and correct runway markings and placement.

The program’s main window allows you to select the aircraft you are interested in, from small models to very large aircraft. After selecting a location and configuring display settings, the application will begin the simulation process.

Despite its powerful features and advanced functionality, FlightGear is not as resource-intensive as you might expect given the scale of the installation process. During our testing, we found the emulation process to run smoothly — however, with modest hardware requirements.

All in all, FlightGear proves to be a solid and effective flight simulator solution worth having when you need to learn more about aircraft, airports and piloting.