Compare flight training software for student pilots: X-Plane, MSFS, ground school and EFB tools, plus setup advice and logging limits.
For most student pilots, X-Plane 12 is the best all-round desktop simulator for repeatable cockpit and procedure practice, while Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is stronger for visual route and airfield familiarisation. Pair either with a structured ground-school course and your instructor’s preferred EFB; home software does not replace approved training.
Which flight training software is best for each task?
The best software depends on the skill being trained rather than graphics, aircraft count or the size of a question bank. For general aviation students, a useful training setup normally combines several focused tools.
| Training need | Best type of software | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Ground knowledge | Structured ground-school course | A syllabus appropriate to your licence and jurisdiction, clear explanations, progress tracking and support from your school |
| Cockpit procedures | X-Plane 12 | An aircraft and avionics fit matching the aeroplane you fly |
| VFR route familiarisation | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Recognisable terrain and airports, checked against current charts rather than trusted as an authoritative source |
| Planning and charts | Your instructor’s preferred electronic flight bag | The same workflow, chart coverage, units and data cycle used during lessons |
| Radio rehearsal | Dedicated phraseology trainer | Terminology and procedures appropriate to your country and local airspace |
| Free simulator practice | FlightGear | A well-modelled training aircraft and time to configure controls correctly |
A course should teach the subject, not merely drill answers to examination questions. Our comparison of ground-school, EFB, radio-training and simulator apps explains how those categories fit together.
Is X-Plane or Microsoft Flight Simulator better for students?
Choose X-Plane 12 for repeatable procedure and instrument practice; choose Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 when visual route recognition and airfield familiarisation matter most.
| Priority | Better fit | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| Flows, checklists and instrument procedures | X-Plane 12 | The selected aircraft must match the real cockpit closely |
| VFR landmarks and route preview | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 | Buildings, obstacles and airport details can be inaccurate or outdated |
| No-cost procedural practice | FlightGear | Aircraft quality and system depth vary |
Neither simulator reproduces control forces, peripheral vision, vibration or the consequences of poor trim as accurately as an aircraft. A desktop joystick or yoke can also encourage excessive control movement. Treat the simulator as a procedure trainer, not proof that an exercise has been mastered.
Aircraft configuration matters more than the simulator brand. A student learning in a conventional-instrument Cessna should not rehearse every lesson in an unrelated glass-cockpit model; our explanation of why the Cessna 172 suits foundational simulator practice covers the skills that transfer well.
What should a student pilot practise in a simulator?
Student pilots should use flight training software for procedures, instrument scans, navigation and decision-making rather than trying to learn physical control feel.
- Cockpit flows: rehearse pre-start, start, taxi, before-take-off, cruise and shutdown flows, then verify each flow with the correct checklist.
- Attitude and power changes: practise the sequence for climbs, descents and level-offs while observing trim and instrument indications.
- Navigation: prepare a route, identify checkpoints, intercept tracks and recognise when the aircraft is drifting off plan.
- Instrument procedures: repeat holds, intercepts, departures and approaches after an instructor has explained the technique.
- Radio scripts: pause at each reporting point and say the complete call aloud before comparing it with the expected format.
Repeated take-offs and landings are less useful than many students expect. Monitor limitations, an incorrect eye position and unrealistic control forces can teach the wrong sight picture. Use circuits mainly for checks, calls, spacing and configuration changes; learn the flare and crosswind control in the aircraft with an instructor.
How should flight training software be configured?
Configure the simulator to match the real lesson closely, while keeping the scenario simple enough to isolate the skill being practised.
- Match the aircraft: select the same engine type, instrument layout, flap system and avionics family where possible.
- Calibrate the controls: remove unwanted assistance, correct reversed axes and use only enough dead zone to stop noisy hardware. Excessive sensitivity curves can hide poor inputs.
- Set the seating position: place the virtual eye point where the pilot’s head would be and use a sensible field of view. A distorted view changes the apparent attitude and runway picture.
- Control the conditions: begin with known wind, visibility and aircraft weight. Add weather or failures only when they serve a defined lesson objective.
- Brief and debrief: state the exercise, tolerances and stop point before starting. Afterwards, record specific errors instead of simply repeating the flight.
A mistake we see constantly is changing aircraft, weather and control settings at the same time. Consistency makes errors easier to identify. Beginners can use our guide to configuring a simulator and building core skills progressively.
Can home simulator time count towards a pilot licence?
Ordinary home simulator sessions cannot normally be logged as flight time or credited towards a pilot licence. Creditable training generally requires an approved complete device, any required instructor supervision and records that meet the rules of the relevant aviation authority.
Owning the same software used inside an approved device does not make a home computer approved. The certification applies to the complete hardware-and-software installation and its operating conditions, not just the simulator program. Ground-school completion and examination eligibility also vary by jurisdiction, so confirm those requirements with the school delivering your training.
What should a student pilot buy first?
Buy the software specified by your flying school first, because matching its syllabus, EFB and aircraft saves more time than choosing a technically impressive but different setup.
If the school has no preference, choose X-Plane 12 for structured procedural work or Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for VFR visual familiarisation. Students who need a no-cost starting point can consider using FlightGear for free procedure practice. Avoid buying complex aircraft add-ons until an instructor confirms that their cockpit and systems resemble the aeroplane used for lessons.