Get Started in the World of Flight Simulation

Step 1: Choosing a simulator platform

The three platforms used by most civilian desktop flight simmers are Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS), X-Plane, and Prepar3D. For most students and pilots in 2026, the choice is really between the first two:

• Microsoft Flight Simulator /MSFS 2024: Visual flying, GA, airliners, Xbox/PlayStation (Excellent VFR proficiency, strong add-on aircraft ecosystem)
• X-Plane 12: General aviation, instrument training, realistic flight model (Industry standard for procedural training; supports ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot)
• Prepar3D: Legacy add-on ecosystem, institutional use (Solid but losing developer support to MSFS and X-Plane)

Important: Consumer-grade simulator software — including MSFS and X-Plane on a standard home PC — cannot be logged toward FAA certificate requirements. They are not FAA-approved Aviation Training Devices (ATDs). Their value is procedural practice, not logbook credit.

Step 2: Hardware & system requirements

You don't need a dedicated gaming PC to get started. The best first step is to install your chosen simulator on the computer you already own and see how it performs. Most modern laptops or desktops from the last 3–4 years can run MSFS or X-Plane at acceptable settings.

If you find you're hitting performance limits and want to upgrade, simmers consistently recommend building or buying a custom flight simulation PC over a standard Dell or HP gaming machine — not because of cost, but because you'll be able to upgrade components individually over time rather than replacing the whole system.

• Entry-level ($0 – $200): Use your existing computer. Add a basic joystick ($40–$80). Simulator software only ($60). Focus on learning what type of flying you enjoy before investing further.
• Mid-range ($500 – $1,500): Quality yoke or joystick ($150–$400) + rudder pedals ($100–$250) + throttle quadrant ($150–$300). Focus on the hardware that mirrors what you fly in real life.
• Advanced ($1,500 – $3,000+): Dedicated flight simulation PC + multi-monitor or VR headset + full hardware suite. Build this gradually over time — don't start here unless you're already certain about your goals.

Step 3: Flight controls

After choosing your simulator and ensuring your PC can run it, the most impactful upgrade you can make is adding physical flight controls. Flying with a keyboard and mouse works — but it removes most of the procedural learning value that makes simulation useful for real pilots.

• Yoke or joystick Essential: Controls pitch and roll. Choose a yoke if you fly Cessna, Piper, or Boeing-style aircraft. Choose a joystick for fighter-style, Airbus, Cirrus, or helicopter.
• Rudder pedals Recommended: Controls yaw and ground steering. If you're training for a real certificate, rudder pedals significantly improve ground handling and crosswind technique.
• Throttle quadrant Recommended: Adds mixture, prop, and throttle controls. A natural second or third purchase after your yoke.
• VR headset Optional: Dramatically increases immersion and spatial awareness. Pairs especially well with instrument training — the ability to look around the cockpit naturally changes how you scan instruments.

Step 4: Using your simulator for real training

Even a non-approved home simulator on a standard PC delivers real training value when used with intent:

• Checklist discipline: Run the full pre-flight, run-up, and shutdown checklist every session. This builds habits that carry directly into the cockpit.
• Instrument scan technique: Practice the scan pattern before your first instrument lesson. Students who arrive having already built a scan routine learn faster and waste less instructor time.
• Approach and departure procedure familiarization: Pre-fly your planned routes. Know where the airspace boundaries are, where the traffic patterns are, and what the airport looks like before you get there.
• Emergency procedure rehearsal: Engine failures, electrical failures, divert scenarios — practice these until the response is instinctive. The simulator is the only safe place to do this repeatedly.

Skyfarer tip

Many Skyfarer online instructors incorporate simulator sessions into their teaching — either using a school's training device or by reviewing a student's home sim recordings. Find an instructor who can help you structure your simulator practice around your real training syllabus.