X-Plane - Latest Info and Details
Free download X-Plane 10 Installer X-Plane 10 Installer for Mac OS X. X-Plane 10 Installer - When you get your X-Plane DVDs, download and run the appropriate DVD installer. X-Plane v9 Downloads. Russian Il-76 aircraft in X-Plane version 9. X-Plane v9 was the first next generation version of the software that was as good as Microsoft Flight Simulator X in terms of graphics ability. Having said that, it isn't as close as the now released v10 of the software which most will agree excels FSX in terms of graphics.
Download the latest version of X-Plane for Mac for free. Read 100 user reviews and compare with similar apps on MacUpdate.
X-Plane is a flight simulator for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows by Laminar Research. X-Plane is packaged with other software to build and customize aircraft and scenery, offering a complete flight simulation environment. X-Plane also has a plugin architecture that allows users to create their own modules and aircraft, extending the functionality of the software by letting users create their own worlds or replicas of places on earth.
It comes with five scenery disks, and one with scenery and the actual simulator. It allows flight from -70 degrees south to 74 degrees north. Switching the planet to Mars is an option that comes with the game, and although the air is thin, flight is possible.
FLIGHT MODEL
X-Plane differentiates itself by implementing an aerodynamic model known as blade element theory. Traditionally, flight simulators try to emulate the real-world performance of an aircraft by using lookup tables to find known aerodynamic forces such as lift or drag, which vary with flight condition. These simulators do a good job of simulating the flight characteristics of the aircraft they were designed to simulate (those with known aerodynamic data), but are not useful in design work, and do not predict the performance of aircraft when the actual figures are not available.
Blade-element theory is one method of improving on this. It is a way of modeling the forces and moments on an aircraft by individually evaluating the parts that constitute it. Blade-element theory and other computational aerodynamic models can be used to compute aerodynamic forces in real time or to pre-compute aerodynamic forces of a new design for later use in a traditional lookup table type of simulator.
With Blade-element theory, a wing, for example, may be made up of many sections (1 to 4 is typical), and each section is further divided into as many as 10 separate sections, then the lift and drag of each section is calculated, and the resulting effect is applied to the whole aircraft. When this process is applied to each component, the simulated aircraft will fly virtually like its real counterpart does. This approach allows users to design aircraft on their computer quickly and easily, as the simulator engine will show immediately how an aircraft with a given design might perform in the real world.
X-Plane can model fairly complex aircraft designs, including helicopters, rockets, rotor craft and tilt-rotor craft. Famous real-world aircraft modeled in X-Plane include the V-22 Osprey, the Harrier Jump Jet, the NASA Space Shuttle, and Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne.
Blade element theory has shortcomings, as it can sometimes be difficult to design an aircraft that performs precisely as would real-world aircraft. However, as the flight model is refined, the simulator can better resemble real-world performance, and aircraft quirks and design flaws.
This package includes all installer versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
DEMO IS NOW VERSION 11 (X-Plane 11). Read our full review of XP11 here.
While enthusiasts of all experience levels use X-Plane, it is best suited to experienced pilots that want the most accurate flight dynamic possible. X-Plane’s exclusive flight dynamics model, called “blade element theory,” evaluates the forces on multiple sections of the aircraft’s surface, providing a constant and reliable prediction of how it will react to those forces. This provides a realistic flying experience and makes aircraft development simpler and faster.
In contrast, Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane’s biggest rival, uses lookup tables to determine flight drag and lift. This works well for existing aircraft where the table data is already known. It is less effective for creating new aircraft or predicting the reaction of an airplane in experimental situations.
Default Cessna 172SP in X-Plane 11 with sunset in the background.
While X-Plane is a paid product, the free demo version of X-Plane 11 has the same aircraft, flight model, and technology.
X Plane 10 Demo
X-Plane’s powerful flight dynamics model allowed the developers to create a wide variety of aircraft. Users can choose from single and multi-engine planes like the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender, Boeing 747-400, and Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor; the Space Shuttle; helicopters such as the Bell 47 and Sikorsky S-61; VTOLS such as the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey and much more. Users have developed over 1400 additional aircraft which can be downloaded from our own file library here or X-Plane.org and other sites. Enthusiasts can even design, build, and contribute their own aircraft.
Features
X-Plane’s accurate flying characteristics make it perfect for scientists and engineers to study the reactions of both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. Pilots can keep their skills sharp by using different airplanes and helicopters, and aviation hobbyists can experiment with flight dynamics.
Pilots can explore almost every inch of the globe, from 74 degrees north to 60 degrees south latitude. Adventure awaits- users can touch down at any one of 33,000 airports, land on an aircraft carrier, try to settle softly on a frigate bobbing in roiling surf or land on a helipad on a skyscraper overlooking a vast city. With X-Plane, pilots can take an X-15 to outer space; take the Space Shuttle for a spin, battle raging forest fires, and more.
Weather
Every great pilot knows how to handle tough weather. X-Plane will test them to the limit with wild rainstorms, wind shear, crackling lightning and thunder, snow blindness, fog, sleet, and hail. The system can be programmed to follow actual weather from the user’s location, adding another layer of realism and excitement.
The challenges don’t stop there. X-Plane offers extensive failure modeling. Engines, controls, cables, landing gear, and communications can be set to fail on command or at random. Fellow users or instructors can shutoff systems without the user’s knowledge, helping to develop their coping skills and adaptability.
The cockpit of the default Cessna 172SP screenshot from XP11.
Power and Flexibility
X-Plane’s unparalleled flight dynamics model, gorgeous graphics, wide geographic coverage, depth of aircraft selection, versatile weather and systems handling, extensibility in the form of add-on aircraft and scenery, and realistic flying experience make it the “go-to” flight simulator for a legion of experienced pilots and new flyers.
X-Plane has a passionate user base. One user recently described a routine flight delivering supplies in Alaska. Suddenly he was hit with an engine fire! Within seconds, he had to land on the only flat spot within miles: a patch of snow about 800 yards square located one mile from his location.
Smoke trailing from the engine, he struggled to land. He describes the scene:
“Last second: Of course I'm gusting. Yoke jammed forward as I start to balloon just a few feet above ice. Stall horn mixing with pounding blood sounds in my ears. Down. Rolling. Light brakes. Full elevator deflection. Stopped. Lean back in my seat. Let out all the air that had been backing up in my lungs. Whew!”
X-plane Game Download
That’s the kind of action loyalists have to come to expect from X-Plane!
Multi-Platform
Created by Laminar Research, X-Plane was originally developed for Mac OS X and is available on Windows and Linux. Keeping up with the increasing use of mobile devices, players can now get X-Plane for Android, webOS, and iOS including iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch.
X Plane 9 For Mac Free Download
PLEASE NOTE
X Plane 9 Free Download Mac Download
The screenshots that are shown below and in the featured section at the top of this page have been captured while third-party add-ons were used with X-Plane 11. They are not shot using the default X-Plane Demo features. They essentially show you what's possible within the sim once you own the full version.