# FlightGear

> free, open source multi-platform flight simulator

**Wikidata**: [Q1163986](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1163986)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FlightGear)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flightgear

## Summary
FlightGear is a free, open-source, multi-platform flight simulator that allows users to experience realistic flight simulation across various operating systems. It is developed and maintained by a global community of contributors and is available under the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1997 as a free and open-source flight simulator
- Available on Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Classic Mac OS platforms
- Licensed under the GNU General Public License
- Current stable version as of 2018.3.1 was released on December 6, 2018
- Features multiplayer capabilities allowing users to see other players in-game
- Uses PLIB and OpenSceneGraph as its software engines
- Rated USK 0 (suitable for all ages) on personal computers
- Has over 30 Wikipedia language editions covering the software

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms can FlightGear run on?
A: FlightGear runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Classic Mac OS operating systems.

### Q: Is FlightGear really free to use?
A: Yes, FlightGear is completely free and open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License.

### Q: Can multiple people play FlightGear together?
A: Yes, FlightGear supports multiplayer functionality where users can see other players in-game and track their flight paths using the online multiplayer map.

## Why It Matters
FlightGear represents a significant achievement in open-source software development, providing a sophisticated flight simulation experience without the cost barriers of commercial alternatives. As a community-driven project, it has democratized access to flight simulation technology, allowing aviation enthusiasts, students, and professionals to practice and learn without expensive hardware or software licenses. The simulator's cross-platform compatibility ensures accessibility across different computing environments, while its open-source nature encourages continuous improvement and customization by developers worldwide. FlightGear serves educational purposes, helps train pilots, and provides entertainment for simulation enthusiasts, making complex aviation technology available to anyone with a computer.

## Notable For
- Being one of the most comprehensive free and open-source flight simulators available
- Supporting a wide range of aircraft models and realistic flight dynamics
- Maintaining active development and community support since 1997
- Offering extensive customization options through its open-source architecture
- Providing realistic scenery and terrain data for global flight simulation

## Body
### Development and History
FlightGear was first released in 1997 as a free, open-source flight simulator project. The software has been continuously developed by a global community of contributors since its inception, with regular version updates released over the years. The project's commitment to open-source principles has allowed it to grow and evolve through community contributions rather than commercial development.

### Technical Architecture
The simulator utilizes PLIB (Portable Game Library) and OpenSceneGraph as its primary software engines, providing the graphical and simulation capabilities necessary for realistic flight experiences. This technical foundation supports complex flight dynamics, detailed aircraft modeling, and realistic environmental rendering across different platforms.

### Platform Availability
FlightGear is designed to be cross-platform, with official support for Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Classic Mac OS. This broad platform compatibility ensures that users can access the simulator regardless of their preferred operating system, making it one of the most accessible flight simulation options available.

### Multiplayer Features
The software includes multiplayer capabilities that allow users to connect and interact with other pilots in real-time. Players can see each other's aircraft in-game and track flight paths using the integrated online multiplayer map system. This feature enables collaborative flying experiences and virtual air traffic scenarios.

### Licensing and Distribution
Distributed under the GNU General Public License, FlightGear ensures that users have the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. This licensing model has been crucial to the project's longevity and community-driven development approach, allowing for transparent development and widespread adoption.

### Community and Ecosystem
The FlightGear community maintains extensive resources including documentation, aircraft models, scenery packages, and third-party add-ons. The project is hosted on platforms like SourceForge and GitLab, with active development repositories and contribution channels that support ongoing improvement and feature additions.

## References

1. [Source](http://mirrors.ibiblio.org/flightgear/ftp/Source/)
2. [Source](http://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2016.1/)
3. [Source](http://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2016.2/)
4. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2017.1/)
5. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2017.2/)
6. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2017.3/)
7. [Source](http://home.flightgear.org/)
8. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2018.1/)
9. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2018.2/)
10. [Source](http://wiki.flightgear.org/Changelog_2018.2)
11. [Source](http://wiki.flightgear.org/Changelog_2018.3)
12. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2019.1/)
13. [Source](http://wiki.flightgear.org/Changelog_2019.1)
14. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2018.3/)
15. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2020.1/)
16. [Source](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2020.3/)
17. [FlightGear - Flight Simulator - Browse /release-2020.3 at SourceForge.net](https://sourceforge.net/projects/flightgear/files/release-2020.3/)
18. [FlightGear 2024.1.1 - FlightGear Flight Simulator / Build and Deployment Tooling - GitLab](https://gitlab.com/flightgear/fgmeta/-/releases/v2024.1.1)
19. [Source](https://gitlab.com/groups/flightgear/-/packages/45903533)
20. [Source](https://www.flightgear.org/blog/release-2024-1-3/)
21. [FlightGear 2024.1.4 released](https://www.flightgear.org/blog/release-2024-1-4/)
22. [FlightGear 2024.1.5 released](https://www.flightgear.org/blog/release-2024-1-5/)
23. [Source](https://www.flightgear.org/download/)
24. [Source](http://plib.sourceforge.net/)
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. [USK Classification Database](https://usk.de/usktitle/38890/)
27. Quora
28. GameSpot
29. Q124398839
30. GOG Dreamlist