How to Build Your First Home Flight Simulator

Here are some essential equipment recommendations for real-word pilots and enthusiasts.

Sean Siff

Monday, May 11, 2026 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A home sim allows access to ‘study-level’ cockpits, like this Beechcraft Duke (MSFS). [Credit: Sean Siff/MSFS2024]

Key Takeaways:

Build your first home flight simulator around a dedicated gaming PC with a powerful graphics card and a large 4K 120Hz monitor or TV for optimal visual immersion.
Select flight simulation software between *Microsoft Flight Simulator* (for graphics/realism) or *X-Plane* (for flight model/ease of setup) based on your real-world flying goals and preferred aircraft.
Invest in core hardware like a flight yoke (e.g., Honeycomb Alpha), a versatile throttle quadrant (e.g., Honeycomb Bravo), rudder pedals, a gaming headset, and the essential Octavi IFR-1 controller for intuitive navigation and autopilot management.
Dedicate initial time to configuring controls, familiarizing yourself with camera views, utilizing checklists, and consider resources like FlightSimCoach.com for technical support and training.

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Are you interested in building your first home flight simulator? Before beginning, I assume you have a sturdy desk or table dedicated to flight simulation so that you don’t have to disassemble the components after each flight. I also assume you are approaching the use of your home setup as a tool to assist you in the pursuit of your real-world flying goals.

You can always build a flight sim for exploration and fun, but my equipment recommendations are focused on products that, when assembled, will allow you to complement your real-world
flying. In addition, my product recommendations focus on equipment that I have actually used in my home flight simulator.