X-Plane
| X-Plane
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|---|---|
 Current X-Plane logo of the current version. |
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| Basic data
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| developer | Laminar Research |
| Publishing year | first version 1993 |
| Current version | 11.41r1 (build 114100 64-bit) (December 2019) |
| operating system |
Android iOS Linux macOS Windows |
| category | Flight simulation , VR |
| License | Proprietary |
| German speaking | Yes |
| x-plane.com | |
X-Plane is a flight simulator by the US American Austin Meyer that runs on Windows as well as macOS and Linux . Versions for the Android and iOS mobile platforms are also available.
particularities
The flight behavior of various flying objects is precisely modeled by constantly calculating vectors of the forces that occur for all surfaces . This is achieved by the use of blade element theory (English: Blade Element Theory ) enabled. The program is therefore used by small aircraft manufacturers to develop real aircraft (e.g. in the development of the SpaceShipOne ).
Editors and interfaces
Every version of X-Plane comes with additional programs. So you can z. B. develop your own airplane with Plane Maker and check its flight capabilities in the simulator. Supplied editors are:
- Airplane Editor (Plane Maker)
- Scenery editor (World Maker, not included in version 10)
- Wing Profile Editor (Airfoil Maker)
- Flight planner (letter, not included in version 10)
The scenery editor has not been further developed for a long time and because of many changes that came with version 8 (scenery format etc.), its capabilities are very limited. In version 9, however, the scenery tools can be used again and, above all, have been greatly expanded. In version 10 this editor is no longer included. To get this problem under control, many users developed their own tools for specific tasks, e.g. B. Terrain texturing and made them available in the relevant X-Plane forums.
In addition, hundreds of aircraft and sceneries can be downloaded for free from the Internet. Using the programs XSquawkBox and X-IvAp, it is even possible to fly online with other X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator pilots. Virtual ATC usage is also possible.
With plug-ins available free of charge, it is also possible to fly online in various networks such as VATSIM or IVAO .
Flight physics, avionics and simulated world
X-Plane can, among other things, download weather data and update it at regular intervals (15 minutes and longer). A variety of weather effects such as rain, hail and snow can be displayed.
The elevation data ( SRTM data ) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission ( STS-99 ) are available as Global Scenery on 7 DVDs.
The runway properties are variable due to moisture, snow and ice, which can also be simulated in places. In addition, road traffic is mobile.
More than 40 systems are simulated, including freely definable failure probabilities. Even bird strikes can be simulated, especially in the vicinity of airports.
In addition, different flight systems can be simulated:
- Glider flight with thermals
- Simulation of subsonic and supersonic flight dynamics
- Simulation of fly-by-wire systems (with free plug-in)
There is modeling of the earth's atmosphere up to an altitude of 400,000 feet (approx. 130 km) . Turbulence , ground effects , propeller jets and downdrafts are simulated, and the flight condition and the physics or force vectors of the model, such as thrust, drag and lift forces, are visualized.
Vehicle types
X-Plane simulates different types of aircraft and vehicles:
| plane | genre | v10 | v11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 747-400 | Large area | Yes | Yes |
| Boeing 747-100 | Large area | Yes | Yes |
| Boeing 777-200 | Large area | Yes | No |
| Boeing 737-800 | Large area | No | Yes |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-80 | Large area | No | Yes |
| C-130 | Large area | Yes | Yes |
| KC-10 | Large area | Yes | Yes |
| F-4 | Fighter plane | Yes | Yes |
| FA-22 | Fighter plane | Yes | No |
| Viggen JA33 | Fighter plane | Yes | No |
| Baron B58 | Civil | Yes | Yes |
| Cessna 172SP | Civil | Yes | Yes |
| Cirrus SF 50 | Civil | Yes | Yes |
| Columbia-400 | Civil | Yes | Yes |
| KingAir C90B | Civil | Yes | Yes |
| P180 | Civil | Yes | No |
| Stinson L5 | Civil | Yes | Yes |
| ASK21 | Glider | Yes | Yes |
| Bell 206 | helicopter | Yes | No |
| Robinson R22 | helicopter | Yes | No |
| Sikorsky S-76 | helicopter | No | Yes |
| B52 | Mega tarpaulin | Yes | Yes |
| SR-71 | Mega tarpaulin | Yes | Yes |
| GP PT 60 | Remote controlled | Yes | No |
| Raptor 30 | Remote controlled | Yes | No |
| Canadair CL-415 | Seaplane | Yes | No |
| Space shuttle | Spacecraft | Yes | Yes |
| Marine Sea Harrier | Whiz kid | Yes | No |
| X-15 | Experimental | Yes | Yes |
In addition, other aircraft are available as commercial extensions, as enthusiast projects or as freeware, e.g. B.
- Whiz kid ( Harrier , V22 Osprey , F35 )
- Helicopter ( EC 120 , Hughes 500D, Chinook CH47D )
- Airships ( Hindenburg )
- Gliders (L 23 Super Blanik, Grob G 103 )
- Model airplanes
- Passenger aircraft ( Airbus A380 )
- Autogyros (RAF2000)
- Military aircraft ( Eurofighter Typhoon , A-10 Thunderbolt , Sukhoi Su-37 , MiG-25 )
- Ground vehicles ( VW Beetle )
- Watercraft (speed boats, seaplanes)
Beta versions
Updates of the simulator in the form of beta versions often contain significant improvements and innovations compared to the full version, e.g. B. More extensive weather simulation, changes in flight physics, etc. The software can be updated with a free download manager. Beta versions can easily be undone in the event of errors by automatically installing the current full version when downloading it.
X-Plane 10
The release X-Plane 10.0 , in which OpenStreetMap data is also used, has been delivered since December 7, 2011. From version 10.20 onwards, X-Plane used 64-bit processors natively, which meant that the program could use more than 4 GB of RAM . X-Plane 10 was released on December 17, 2014 under the name X-Plane 10 Mobile for iOS, and a version for Android has also been available since December 16, 2015.
Extensions, addons, sceneries & plugins
There are numerous free extensions, add-ons , sceneries and plug-ins for X-Plane . However, some extensions are only available from commercial providers for a fee. The latter are usually more complex and sophisticated than free alternatives. The most common free extensions include additional sceneries, such as detailed replicas of airfields, environmental improvements (e.g. lighting effects and cloud formations) and various types of aircraft. Some companies have entered the flight simulator market and are also offering various improvements for X-Plane. In particular, high-quality aircraft and extensive international airports can also be purchased for a fee.
The basic installation is usually less impressive for some newcomers, as X-Plane concentrates more on the technical aspects of flight than on high-end graphic refinements. However, if various extensions and plugins are used and combined with one another, flying in X-Plane can become an impressively realistic, graphical and technical experience.
There are also various plugins that allow you to fly with each other over online networks. With this possibility, very realistic flights can be simulated. The most important element here is a virtual air traffic control (ATC), which is carried out by volunteer enthusiasts.
Frequently used extensions, sceneries and plugins in Germany are: FF Library, FlyWithLua, Enhanced Runways, Enhanced Runway Lights, Europe Library by simHeaven, HD Mesh Scenery v3, OpenSceneryX, R2_Library, Real Terra Haze, RuScenery, SkyMaxx Pro v2, TAXI-HD Enhancement Pack, Tree Lines and Farms v2, World2XPlane and self-generated photo scenarios by G2XPL. (Status: October 2015, X-Plane 10.40, no claim to completeness)
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ X-Plane.Org Forum - Unreal Portal. Retrieved March 18, 2013 .
- ↑ Purchase X-Plane 10. X-Plane.com, accessed on March 18, 2013 (English).
- ↑ Phases of 64-bit Adoption. X-Plane Developer, accessed March 18, 2013 .
- ↑ X-Plane 10 for iOS. iPlayApps.de, accessed on December 8, 2014 .
- ↑ X-Plane 10 for Android. Google Play Store, accessed December 24, 2015 .