Flight Simulator Guides
Plain-English guides for sim pilots: which simulator to fly, what PC it needs, which controls to buy and how to set up a cockpit, from your first joystick to a full home sim.
Start here: choose your simulator
Which sim to fly, on which device, and how the big two compare.
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Includes a toolThe 8 Best Flight Simulators in 2026 (PC, Xbox, PS5, Mac)
The 8 best flight simulators of 2026, ranked: MSFS 2024, X-Plane 12, DCS World and the best free sims, with what each costs, runs on and needs.
Updated October 6, 2026
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Includes a toolX-Plane 12 vs MSFS 2024: Which Flight Sim Should You Buy?
X-Plane 12 vs Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (and 2020): flight model, scenery, VR, PC needs and price compared, with a quick quiz to pick yours.
Updated October 7, 2026
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Google Earth Flight Simulator: How to Use It + All Controls
Google Earth's free flight simulator now runs in your browser, too. How to open it on the web or in Earth Pro, every control for PC and Mac, and how to land.
Updated October 8, 2026
PCs and components
What a flight sim PC needs, complete builds, and how much storage the sims take.
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Best MSFS 2024 PC Builds (2026): Parts Lists for Every Budget
Three complete MSFS 2024 PC builds for 1080p, 1440p and 4K/VR. Every part is checked to fit together and explained for first-time builders.
Updated October 6, 2026
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Includes a toolHow Many GB Is Microsoft Flight Simulator? 2024 & 2020 Sizes
MSFS 2024 needs 50GB and MSFS 2020 needs 150GB. See what add-ons and the rolling cache add, which SSD to buy, and work out the space your setup needs.
Updated October 6, 2026
Controls and home cockpits
Yokes, sticks, pedals and throttles: what works where, and how to build a setup step by step.
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Includes a toolHow to Build a Home Flight Simulator Cockpit (2026 Guide)
Everything a beginner needs to build a home flight simulator: the sim, PC or console, controls, screens, VR and seats, plus three complete setups to copy.
Updated October 6, 2026
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Includes a toolMicrosoft Flight Simulator Controllers for PC, Xbox & PS5
Check any joystick, yoke or pedals for MSFS 2024 on PC, Xbox or PS5 in seconds. See what works, what needs a hub, and our best picks for each platform.
Updated October 7, 2026
Virtual reality
VR headsets for flight sims and the graphics cards that drive them.
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Includes a toolTypes of VR Headsets for Flight Sims: Which to Buy (2026)
Standalone, PC-tethered or PS VR2? The types of VR headsets explained for MSFS 2024 and X-Plane 12, the PC you need, and the right headset for your budget.
Updated October 7, 2026
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Best GPU for VR in 2026: 5 Graphics Cards for Every Headset
The best graphics card for VR in 2026, by headset: Quest 3, PS VR2 and Pimax. Five picks, how much memory VR needs, and which cards to skip.
Updated October 8, 2026
History and background
Where flight simulation came from.
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Microsoft Flight Simulator History: Every Version (1982–2024)
Microsoft Flight Simulator came out in 1982, three years before Windows. Every version since, the 40th Anniversary Edition, and what each one needed to run.
Updated October 8, 2026