X-Plane

X-Plane is a realistic flight simulator developed for Windows. X-Plane includes several commercial, military and other aircraft, as well as a global scenario that covers most of the earth. Also included with the flight simulator is software for creating and customizing model aircraft. X-Plane has a plug-in system that allows users to create their own modules to extend the functionality of the software, allowing users to create their own worlds or copies of places on the ground.

X-Plane differs from other simulators in its use of blade element theory, developed to evaluate propeller behavior. Each wing and propeller blade is broken down into small sub-elements, the acting aerodynamic forces and moments are calculated for each of them, then they are all added up and the overall result is obtained. X-Plane extends this model to the entire airplane (helicopter and other aircraft), working with the fuselage, wings and tail as the elements that create lift.

The advantage of this method compared to models using pre-calculated data sets is, theoretically, that no data about the behavior of the real vehicle needs to be recorded. X-Plane itself models its behavior based on geometry, mass, location, and motor characteristics. X-Plane also works better when flying at critical conditions - unacceptable angles of attack, close to zero speeds. It supports orbital and Mars orbital flights without any additional adaptation.

X-Plane features

• built-in airplane and airport editors;
• highly realistic modeling of planes, helicopters, gliders and airships;
• relief of the Earth based on SRTM data directly in the installation package (mesh spacing (depends on SRTM) - 100 m, coverage - from the equator to 70° latitude);
• Runways, Airports, roads follow the curves of the terrain;
• shader support, pixel-by-pixel lighting, dynamic aircraft shadows, cloud shadows;
• ability to enter and exit Earth's orbit, landing the American Shuttle and placing a non-existent prototype aircraft into orbit;
• flights in the atmosphere and in orbit around Mars, fictional airports on Mars;
• flexible adjustment of a large number of joystick axes and buttons.