Question 1

Is FlightGear free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FlightGear is open-source under the GPL. There is no purchase, subscription, or scenery shop required to fly.

Question 2

How much disk space does FlightGear need?

Accepted Answer

The base simulator is a few gigabytes. Worldwide scenery via TerraSync can grow into tens of gigabytes depending on where you fly. Treat recommended storage as a scenery budget, not just the installer size.

Question 3

Does FlightGear work with a joystick?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it is strongly recommended. Keyboard flying is possible for a first takeoff; a joystick or yoke makes the sim much more usable.

Question 4

Can I fly online in FlightGear?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FlightGear has a multiplayer network. Use published procedures and frequencies, and read the multiplayer guide before joining busy airspace.

Question 5

Is FlightGear as pretty as Microsoft Flight Simulator?

Accepted Answer

Not in the photogrammetry sense. FlightGear’s strength is an open aircraft and scenery pipeline you can inspect and extend, not competing with a paid streaming globe.

Action	Default input
Elevator / ailerons	`Arrow keys / Mouse`
Rudder	`0 / Enter (numpad)`
Throttle	`Page Up / Page Down`
Brakes	`B`
Landing gear	`G`
Flaps

Action	Default input
Pitch / roll	`Left Stick`
Yaw	`Triggers`
Throttle / flaps	`Mapped buttons`
Brakes	`Mapped button`

Action	Default input
Pitch / roll	`Stick X / Y axes`
Yaw	`Twist / rudder pedals`
Throttle	`Throttle axis`
Brakes / gear / flaps	`Mapped buttons`

FlightGear controls

Mouse & keyboard

FlightGear

Controller

Flightstick