A Better Virtual Flight Deck

The mind behind X-Plane shares its origin story.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, August 07, 2023 at 12:44 PM ET

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Austin Meyer, the inventor of X-Plane. [Credit: Jeff Blake]

Key Takeaways:

Austin Meyer created X-Plane in 1995, inspired by a frustrating instrument proficiency check and the desire for a realistic home simulator based on the laws of physics and aircraft geometry.
X-Plane is highly regarded for its accurate flight models, which can simulate how any aircraft would fly, and features advanced elements like the volumetric, time-changing clouds introduced in X-Plane 12.
The software is utilized by both casual users and professionals, serving as a foundation for building certified flight simulators, with options for users to contribute custom scenery and hangars.
Meyer clarifies that X-Plane's primary focus is on providing an authentic aviation experience, emphasizing accurate flight dynamics, weather, and air traffic control over elaborate "Google Earth"-style scenery.

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Learning to fly is not like learning to play a musical instrument, in that for most of us, it is impossible to practice at home—but wouldn’t it be great if we could? Austin Meyer, the inventor of X-Plane, had this idea in the 1990s after a particularly frustrating experience involving an instrument proficiency check. Today, X-Plane is one of the top aviation simulation games in the world. You can put yourself at virtually any airport in just about any airplane. The game continues to evolve—X-Plane 12 was released just before the 2022 holiday season. FLYING caught up with Meyer to get the skinny on the development of the popular pastime that has evolved from game to simulation experience.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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