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

Verified

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

Key Takeaways:

X-Plane was invented by Austin Meyer in the 1990s out of a personal need for realistic at-home flight practice, developing a unique simulation approach based on mathematical modeling of aircraft geometry and physics.
The software prioritizes accurate flight dynamics, avionics, weather, and air traffic control for a comprehensive flight management experience, rather than extensive scenery, and allows users to contribute content like airports.
Latest iterations, such as X-Plane 12, feature advancements like volumetric, time-changing clouds and cater to both individual enthusiasts and professional simulator builders, with a future focus on professional applications.

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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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