Flight Simulation

Key.Aero is home to PC Pilot, the world’s favourite flight simulation magazine which brings sense and expert opinion to the exciting and often daunting world of flight simulation. Contributors include many real-world pilots and aviation professionals to ensure what you read is as real as it gets. Articles cater for those interested in both civilian and military aircraft and include news on the latest standalone and add-on software products, news and reviews of flight sim hardware, tutorials, features and interviews.

Challenging Airports: Toronto City Airport (CYTZ) Feature Premium

Challenging Airports - Toronto City Airport, Canada (CYTZ)

Some airports are conveniently located in city centres and provide measurable savings for those who value time as a commodity. In this issue, we take a look at a popular near-city airfield that serves the bustling Canadian metropolis of Toronto: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

FlyingIron Simulations Spitfire L.F Mk.IXC Review Premium

FlyingIron Simulations’ Spitfire L.F Mk.IXC 

The Supermarine Spitfire has been represented in flight simulation since the very beginning of the hobby. In this review, we will be examining the FlyingIron Simulations’ Supermarine Spitfire Mk.IX for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Fabio Merlo Flight Control Replay Review Premium

Fabio Merlo’s Flight Control Replay

In flight simulation, most of the in-built replay functions are limited in the features they provide. Flight Control Replay is a way of bridging that gap. What’s more, it offers many other advanced features, particularly when compared with replay functions natively provided by some of the other platforms.

Just Flight PA-28R Arrow III Review Premium

Just Flight’s PA-28R Arrow III

We take a look at the first GA aircraft from the Just Flight team designed for Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Building a 737 Home Cockpit Feature Premium

Building a 737 Home Cockpit

Joe Lavery explains how he made the centre pedestal and highlights some of the challenges, such as fitting the radio equipment and the emergency engine fire handles.

​Carenado WACO YMF5 Review Premium

Carenado’s WACO YMF5

The 1930s inspired general aviation biplane from Carenado

Microsoft France Benelux World Update Review Premium

Microsoft’s France/Benelux World Update

The Microsoft/Asobo team has presented us with yet another World Update, this time featuring France and Benelux.

Aerosoft’s CRJ 550/700 Review Premium

Aerosoft’s CRJ 550/700

Almost seven months to the day after the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator, the long wait for a complex, airline category add-on came to an end in March when Aerosoft released its CRJ 550/700. Let’s take a look at this exciting release.

VelocityOne Flight Simulation Control System Coming this Summer

Turtle Beach Corporation has announced its entry into gaming simulation hardware with the VelocityOne Flight Simulation Control System.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Coming to Xbox

Asobo Studio has announced Microsoft Flight Simulator is coming to the Xbox Series X|S and with Xbox Game Pass on July 27.

All the latest news and updates from the world’s favourite Flight Simulators

Whilst flight simulators have been around for over a century in one form or another, it is only since the advent of the home computer that hobbyists and home users have been able to get a taster of what it’s like to fly the real thing.

Since before World War One, military commanders have been using land-based facilities to train their pilots, these mechanical simulators are now seen as the precursors for modern computer simulators. In the late 1970s, the very first flight simulators using 3-D graphics were launched and they’ve been a staple of the home PC market ever since.

With more than 4 decades of advancements in computer processing power, the flight simulators of today are almost unrecognisable compared to those early versions, but the principles remain the same. Modern flight sims bring photo-realistic graphics, realistic weather conditions and faithful recreations of an enormous range of aircraft including civilian, military and historic aircraft.

Key Aero is the only place you need to go to find out all the latest news, updates and big new releases from the world’s most popular flight simulators including Microsoft, X-Plane and Aerofly FS 2.

Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator has been around since the early 1980s with multiple versions, making it a popular choice amongst home and pro users. The latest version of the famous flight sim has taken the whole industry to another level, faithfully recreating the entire planet down to an accuracy of a centimetre and delivering this level of data via an online streaming connection. Serving data via a streaming service also opens up more avenues including real-time weather conditions and up-to-date maps and locations.

Discover great articles about all the latest updates and releases from Microsoft Flight Simulator.

X-Plane

Since the mid-90s, X-Plane has separated itself from the competition thanks to its use of real-world physics. This implementation has made it one of the most realistic simulators in terms of weather conditions, aerodynamics and user experience. However, the same algorithms that have made it possible to recreate the physics of the real world also enable users to create their own hypothetical aircraft and environments. In fact, X-Plane has even aided in the design and development of aircraft in the real world.

Read more about X-Plane.

Aerofly FS 2

Aerofly FS 2 has delivered some truly stunning, photo-realistic scenery as well as incredibly detailed cockpits and controls. As a result, the user experience is second to none. Aerofly have also built-in support for Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, allowing the user to fully immerse themselves into the virtual world.

Browse our flight simulation articles to find all the latest news from Aerofly, including new releases, software updates and forthcoming releases.

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