VR flight simulators are a great way to learn how to fly an airplane and can be a lot of fun. These games use a PC and VR headset to give you a completely immersive experience.
Virtual reality also has practical uses for the aviation industry, like training engineers to repair aircraft engines. These engineers can practice their skills with expensive and complex equipment that wouldn’t be available in real life.
X-Plane 11
X-Plane 11 is a modern, realistic flight simulator ideal for casual and professional pilots. It features an intuitive user interface, 3-D cockpits, worldwide scenery, and a new effects engine for lighting, sounds, and explosions.
One thing that makes X-Plane 11 stand out is its native virtual reality support. If you have a VR headset like the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, or Windows “Mixed Reality,” then you can experience immersive flights with X-Plane 11.
In addition to a more detailed and realistic environment, X-Plane 11 also brings a new rendering engine that uses Physically Based Rendering. This technique allows illumination and reflections to behave physically correctly, improving performance.
The game has also been updated to include nine new aircraft in the default fleet, including the Airbus A330 and Cessna Citation X. All these aircraft feature stunning exteriors and completely functional 3D cockpits.
Ultrawings 2
The sequel to Ultrawings is a bit bigger, with many islands to fly over and many unique landmarks to discover. It still has a little of that arcade/sim hybrid feel and is a good option for fans of VR flight games.
It also has some genuinely interesting gameplay variations. You can pop balloons with a dart gun, participate in thrilling air races, and even participate in military-style combat missions.
But the real progression in Ultrawings 2 comes in completing more missions to unlock new planes and airports. It’s a 40-60 hour experience worth the investment.
The game’s motion controls are incredibly responsive and work better than they deserve. At the same time, the neo-realistic handling means it never dips into sim territory and is a great way to experience flying in VR. We’re looking forward to seeing more of the game in the future!
War Thunder
War Thunder is an MMO military simulation game that lets you take part in major battles on land, in the air, and at sea, with millions of players worldwide. It covers various armored vehicles, aviation, and naval vessels from the early 20th century to the most advanced modern combat units.
War Thunder VR is a free-to-play flight simulator built for VR that allows you to pilot advanced multi-role jets using tracked controllers. Fly through intense missions, including delicate vertical landings, aircraft carrier operations, aerial refueling, and more.
Aces of Thunder, a spin-off of War Thunder, will be available for PlayStation VR 2. This flight sim is said to be centered on World War II planes such as the American fighter P-51 Mustang and British Spitfire, but future add-ons will also bring combat aircraft from other eras. The game will feature competitive online battles in various formats (team versus team, single duels with custom settings) and a physically accurate flight and damage model.
Test Pilots
Test Pilots conduct the production and experimental flight tests to ensure the safety and operation of aircraft and its systems. They may recommend changes to the cockpit or aircraft, test features, and perform maneuvers to confirm compliance with federal regulations and product specifications.
A career as a test pilot requires four to seven years of related experience and an FAA commercial pilot’s license with appropriate ratings. Some positions require a bachelor’s degree.
Getting comfortable with your simulator is key to frustration-free flying. This section teaches you how to manipulate your virtual cockpit, set up keyboard shortcuts, and create views that mimic what a real pilot would use.
You’ll learn to select an aircraft, start location, fuel and payload, weather, GPS navigator, and more. Then you’ll work on landings, taming crosswinds, and pattern work to build your sim proficiency.
As a test pilot, your job is not easy–you’re expected to push your aircraft to its limits to force issues and emergencies out of the cockpit before production begins. But it’s also a rewarding career–you’ll be able to fly some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.