Compare the best fighter jets in DCS, Falcon BMS and Microsoft Flight Simulator, with picks for realism, beginners, VR and carrier flying.
The best fighter jets to fly in a flight simulator are the DCS F/A-18C for all-round capability, DCS F-16C for fast modern combat, DCS F-14 for carrier flying, and Falcon BMS F-16 for a dynamic campaign. For non-combat sightseeing, Microsoft Flight Simulator’s F/A-18E is the more accessible choice.
Best fighter jets by flying style
| Jet and simulator | Best for | Why choose it | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| F/A-18C Hornet — DCS | Best all-round combat jet | Carrier and land operations, air-to-air combat, precision strike and a clickable cockpit provide years of learning. | Its radar, sensors, weapons and carrier procedures create a large syllabus. |
| F-16C Viper — DCS | Fast land-based combat | Excellent visibility, responsive handling and an efficient HOTAS workflow suit air combat, suppression of air defences and strike missions. | It cannot operate from carriers, and careless throttle use quickly consumes fuel. |
| F-14A/B Tomcat — DCS | Carrier flying and multicrew | Analogue handling, variable-sweep wings and separate pilot and radar-intercept-officer stations make every sortie involving. | It demands more hands-on flying than a fly-by-wire jet; solo pilots must also work with the simulated AI crew member. |
| F-16 — Falcon BMS | Dynamic campaign operations | The attraction is not just the aircraft. Package planning, airborne threats, ground forces and campaign consequences give each mission context. | BMS is an F-16-centred simulator, so it offers less freedom to switch among unrelated aircraft types. |
| F-5E Tiger II — DCS | Cold War flying and basic systems | Simple radar, conventional instruments and manual handling teach energy management without a wall of multifunction displays. | Its limited sensors and weapons put it at a serious disadvantage against modern fighters. |
| F/A-18E Super Hornet — Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 | High-speed touring | It combines fighter-like performance with Microsoft Flight Simulator’s detailed world, weather and navigation environment. | MSFS does not provide a native combat environment comparable with DCS or Falcon BMS. |
For one aircraft that covers the widest range of realistic missions, we would choose the DCS F/A-18C. Pick the F-16C when land-based speed and HOTAS-driven combat matter more than carrier operations, or the F-14 when naval aviation and multicrew are the main attraction.
Which fighter jet is easiest for beginners?
A simplified Flaming Cliffs aircraft such as the DCS F-15C is the quickest route into modern air combat, while the F/A-18C is the better long-term choice for someone who wants a fully clickable cockpit.
There is a catch: a non-clickable cockpit does not necessarily mean fewer controls. Many functions must be assigned to a keyboard or HOTAS because they cannot be operated directly with the mouse. Full-fidelity modules take longer to learn, but switches and controls are usually where a pilot expects to find them.
- Choose the F-15C for simplified radar and weapons operation without a lengthy start-up procedure.
- Choose the F-5E for manual flying, basic navigation and short-range Cold War combat.
- Choose the F/A-18C if one detailed aircraft must cover air combat, ground attack and carrier landings.
- Choose VTOL VR’s fictional jets when native tracked-controller interaction matters more than operating a licensed real-world aircraft.
Which simulator has the most realistic fighter combat?
DCS is the strongest choice for detailed individual aircraft, while Falcon BMS is particularly strong at placing the F-16 inside a persistent operational campaign. DCS models clickable cockpits, sensors, weapons and aircraft-specific procedures; BMS makes mission planning and the wider air war central to the experience.
Neither is perfect replication. Classified performance and electronic-warfare data must be estimated or omitted, and fidelity varies by aircraft module. Our comparison of PC combat flight simulators explains where DCS, Falcon BMS, War Thunder, VTOL VR, Nuclear Option and IL-2 fit.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator good for fighter jets?
Microsoft Flight Simulator is good for visual flying, navigation, formation practice and experiencing a fast jet over a detailed world, but it is not a substitute for a dedicated combat simulator.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 includes the F/A-18E Super Hornet, while other military aircraft depend on add-ons and platform availability. Our guide to included and add-on fighters in MSFS 2020 separates the stock choices from optional aircraft.
A mistake we see constantly is buying an MSFS fighter and expecting functional missiles, tactical AI and a complete damage model. Individual add-ons may animate weapons or provide custom effects, but MSFS itself is not a combat platform. On PlayStation, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the applicable release; MSFS 2020 was never released there, and console pilots should confirm that a specific aircraft is available on their platform.
What about FSX and Prepar3D fighter jets?
FSX and Prepar3D still suit pilots who want freeware aircraft, naval aviation or less demanding hardware, although most add-ons cannot reproduce an integrated combat environment. The freeware F-14D package for FSX and Prepar3D is a practical choice for variable-sweep-wing flying and carrier-themed operations.
How should you choose a fighter jet?
- Decide whether combat must work. Choose DCS or Falcon BMS for sensors, weapons and tactical opponents. Choose Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, FSX or Prepar3D mainly for flying and navigation.
- Pick the mission. The Hornet and Tomcat suit carrier operations; the F-16 suits land-based multirole missions; the F-5E suits visual Cold War combat.
- Choose the cockpit workload. Simplified aircraft get airborne quickly, while full-fidelity jets require start-up, navigation, radar and weapon procedures.
- Check solo and multicrew requirements. The F-14 is designed around two crew positions, even though an AI crew member permits solo operation.
- Confirm platform compatibility. PC has the broadest combat-simulator and add-on selection. Never assume that a PC fighter module is also sold or supported on a console.
What controls do fighter jets need?
A joystick and separate throttle are the useful minimum for serious fighter flying. Rudder pedals help with crosswinds, formation corrections and older aircraft, while head tracking or VR makes it much easier to maintain sight of another aircraft.
Bind pitch, roll, yaw, trim, throttle, speed brake, weapon release, countermeasures, sensor controls and view movement before learning combat systems. Trying to assign controls during a mission is one of the fastest ways to make a capable aircraft feel needlessly difficult. Start with one jet and one mission type; switching aircraft repeatedly prevents cockpit flows and HOTAS commands from becoming familiar.