Personal computer-based flight simulators have come a long way since the pixelated days of the original Microsoft Flight Simulator. Now a few hundred dollars worth of software replicates some of the most complex aircraft in the world, in a way that is so realistic that pilots are using these products to bolster proficiency and prepare for upcoming flights.
As the software grows more sophisticated, so too do the computing and graphics requirements, but a powerful enough laptop can easily run software such as Laminar Research’s X-Plane 12, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024, DCS, and others. A challenge, however, is deciding what flight controls to buy to connect to the computer, and there are many choices. Some home simmers are even building ultra-realistic cockpits that replicate their favorite airliners. Type-specific helicopter controls are available for fans of vertical flight.
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