xplane

X-Plane is a commercial flight simulator developed by Laminar Research. It is used by aviation enthusiasts, pilots in training, and researchers for a realistic cockpit and flight behavior experience. The software runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with X-Plane 12 serving as the current major release as of 2024.

Its core is a physics-based flight model that uses blade-element theory to calculate lift, drag, thrust, and control responses for individual airframes. This approach provides aircraft-specific performance and handling that differ from fixed, pre-programmed flight profiles found in some other simulators.

X-Plane includes global scenery, airports with multiple levels of detail, weather, and lighting that responds to time of day and atmosphere. The platform supports extensive third-party content, from aircraft and scenery to plugins, and provides built-in tools such as Plane Maker for aircraft design and World Editor for terrain and scenery creation. Virtual reality is supported, and input can be customized via joysticks, yokes, and pedals.

It is distributed as a paid product with periodic updates; a strong community maintains a large library of user-generated content and plugins. The ecosystem includes official stores and third-party developers, making the project popular for hobby flight, professional training, and research simulations.

History: X-Plane originated in the 1990s under Laminar Research, evolving through major version updates that expanded 3D graphics, 64-bit support, and cross-platform compatibility. The project emphasizes realism and extensibility, distinguishing it from other consumer flight simulators through its open content and scripting options.