FlightGear

Very complete open source flight simulator.

One of the problem when it comes to developing flight simulators is that they are really complex games, due to the quantity of small details that their users ask for, and due to this fact they aren't always profitable. So the option of FlightGear is a very good alternative. This free software application is on of the most complete flight simulators that can be found.

  FlightGear has up to three models of primary flight dynamics:  JSBSim, YASim and UIUC, each one with its own features and all developed by professional (UIUC is based on the ones used by the NASA for their computer simulations). What's more, it includes more than 20.000 personalized airports with all kinds of minor details like lights, taxiways, runways and approximation lights, detailed coverage of the full World map with special emphasis in the placing of rivers, cities and other visual elements, and many features that make FlightGear one of the most complete simulators.

  In what refers to planes, since its a free application any user can create their own models for FlightGear. The game includes a Wright Flyer of 1903 (the first plane), a Boeing 747 and an Airbus A320, as well as some light civilian planes and military planes. All of them with detailed  cockpits and animated modeling.

  What's more, one of the advantages of this simulator is that it doesn't need an extremely powerful computer to work, even though like in the majority of simulators, it is advisable to play with various screens and the proper control adapters.