Airline Pilots Home Simulator Setup | How To Help Keep Current 

As a flight sim pilot for many years, I must tell you that this is one of the best overall short videos on the subject that I've ever seen. Covering your hardware, software apps used, your methods for both IFR & VFR flight, you touched on all the key points. Top it all off with the staples many of us use every day with Vatsim & SimBrief and you've got it well & done. Thank you for doing this, it's much appreciated. I wish you good health & clear skies!

Ben thanks for being a great ambassador combining the sim world with real world. I'm an ageing retired PPL/IMC/Night rated pilot and have found great solace in flying the sim, like you using XPlane 11 and Orbx scenery. Might see you in the virtual skies someday. Fingers crossed you find an airline to keep you in the real skies.

I came across your channel by accident recently and have been binge watching your "journey". You're an inspiration and I do hope you find a new pilot job in the near future. You absolutely deserve much success given your hard work and love of aviation. I look forward to many more of your flying videos. You have even got me thinking about taking a taster flight to see how I'd like it. Thank you and happy flying. Yes, please do make a video of you using the flight sim.

Been going around in circles wondering what bits and pieces I need to build a realistic simulator to keep current. That's so helpful Ben, thank you.

Hello from a fellow Q400 pilot! I fly the dash over here in the states. Finding myself in a similar situation as you because of the COVID pandemic. Rough times for sure. Great video. I’m also using my home flight sim to help with currency. Can’t imagine not having a quality home sim right now. Definitely agree with having a quality yoke, throttle quadrant, and rudder set up. I use a Yoko yoke. Absolutely excellent yoke setup. I also use Navigraph - great resource. I use Pilotedge for my ATC experience. It’s by subscription, but it is an excellent tool for maintaining IFR currency. For aircraft, I love the Hot Start TBM 900. It’s fantastic. But going to have to check out that Pocket Rocket. Looks fun. Thanks for the tip about the Orbx scenery. Will check that out. Keep the great content coming. Hope everyone stays healthy and safe out there. Take care.

Definitely flight a well developed simulator keeps a pilot on the standards, I retired about two years ago from a professional life an my son helped me to make a flight simulator and I enjoy it almost every day.

I've been flying on vatsim since 2006 I love how advanced our little flight simulation hobby has become over the years, invaluable tool nowadays.

This is what you call working from home , nice setup 👍🏻🤙🏻

Thanks Ben, I found your reviews and recommendations really useful, especially as it's all UK based! Take care.

Worked on the Q400for Horizon Air for 7 1/2 yrs, 1st as a mechanic, then ground instructor, . Loved that plane!

VATSIM is a great place for current or aspiring pilots and those who have an aviation passion and can't take to the skies in real world. I did have the pleasure of controlling you at Manchester a couple of weeks ago, I believe you were in a vision jet if i remember correctly. Anyway keep up the good work, hope you're airborne again soon in real world.

Hey Ben. Used PC based instrument simulator years ago (1990) when I was training, self improver route, for commercial. Got the licence but never used it :-( However, getting your brain around procedural holds (with 30Kt crosswinds) or NDB approaches, even with a quite basic instrument simulator, was great practice before you got to burn all that money in the air. I fly GA these days but also love my home simulator, XPlane with the fantastic Honeycombe yoke and a 50" monitor at 4K, fast PC with all the sliders near max and an accurate flight model (I'm using the Skyhawk 172 SP REP) What I am really impressed with is that I have just purchased SkyDemon and getting to grips with using it during this lockdown is simple - setup XPlane to send the simulated flight data to my iPad, getting all the alerts, weather and airspace warnings and planning diversions enroute. Real fun when stormy weather, low cloud and lo vis is dialled in ! My wife has had to rescue me with a cup of tea sometimes. I look forward to more of your videos, James.

I am 20 hours into flying and did my first solo today (in Australia flying schools are allowed to keep flying). I found using my VR Oculus headset much better for landing practice and my instructor actually took me through some circuits with the setup remotely.

I’ve always used flight sims. A great help for the IR flying and very handy for procedures during a type rating. It’s a great hobby and learning tool!

After many years of on/off messing about with flight sims (mostly to do sightseeing and fly under Tower Bridge - yawn!) I've decided to actually properly learn what I'm doing. Currently doing loads of otherwise not very interesting local flights to practice, practice, practice the basics (in a Cessna 152) and I have to say I am having a ball! Long way to go, but I'm slowly getting more comfortable with radio navigation and able to find airports in bad weather! Thanks for a very interesting and inspiring video.

Oustandingly planned and executed video as always. I hope the Coronavirus situation resolves soon and you can get back up on the line, where you deserve to be.

Thank you for your video!!! .....I've been a flight simmer and a real pilot for over 40 yrs here in the US... and to me this was a marriage made in heaven!!! Great for training tool!!!..I am a big fan of Jon Fly and he has been an inspiration for me!!... and I've built several diy simulators from my workshop!!!!...I have used Fsx..Xplane..and various other programs over the years!! ...Looking forward to the "new MFS 2020"...but I am satisfied with what I've got!!!...Great Video...keep up the good work!!!!....🐦🐦🐦...

That was really impressive, not sure what to expect when I first clicked on to watch, but wow, that is some kit you have !, a true professional Ben, hope you are back flying soon. Stay Safe!

Another great video Ben, very informative as always, I always learn something from your videos. Total respect for the self funding pilot, no cash conveyor belt required 👍

Thank you for the nice presentation. Simple, concise and covered pretty much everything required for novice and experienced simmers.

Flew my first solo X country on my sim the day before. Definetely felt more confident doing the real flight :)

Great video, really informative. A mate of mine is part way through his NPPL and is using a flight sim of the aircraft he's training on to keep him as current as possible. I hope that the situation improves for everyone soon.

Great info. Will consider replacing our Saitek yoke with the Honeycomb.

Absolutely love all of your videos. I have been using xplane since series 9 just playing around and now I have it downloaded on a decent laptop but with no setup like yours at all lol I love flying and have been aspiring to get my private license just for recreation in the states for years and now. I’m 35 and I really am looking to take the leap finally and go for it sooner than later. if I can amount to nothing more than flying a small single engine the rest of my life it would be a. Huge accomplishment for me and a big check off my bucket list. Please make more videos yours are so fun and educational!

I've been thinking about getting into Flight Sims but have no idea what I need and your video is very informative, thank you. I just need a video for absolute beginners on the actual flying, take of and landing before I take the plunge, LOL.

All my life I've wanted to learn and use flight sim, this video scares me even more and makes me think when tf will I have time to learn all this, jeez this is complicated

Hi Ben. I am very late in life to be joining the flying community but I passed my skills test in September 2019. Sadly, I only managed two flights after that before the weather closed in. Being based on a grass field in the westcounrty, I haven't been able to get airborne since so I am increasingly concerned about losing all the skills I worked at and paid for!! So I have reluctantly turned to my PC and XPlane. I was discouraged from using it in my training but, for now, its all we have. I haven't enjoyed flying on XPlane much at all so this video was of great interest and has been a huge help. I have not got my set up a little better, bought the UK South scenery from Orbx and ordered a Honeycomb (I only had an old joystick and pedals!) It is good to hear that my PC and graphics are very similar to yours so should be fine for now but I would like to add my second monitor and I bet that will stretch the hardware too far. While we have been locked down I have watched your channel along with the Flying Reporter, Ben Atkinson and the Jodel Flyer and enjoyed the videos. I must say thank you to you all for the time and effort I know it must take to record and edit all your many flights and they are much appreciated. I did take a single GoPro up with me on my last flight as an experiment. It wasn't very good and I will be able to rig it better next time and will look into the sound as well. Maybe, as there is no flying at all just now, I might edit a few bits from and post them - they will be very poor compared to your excellent set up though. Kind regards

the single most useful piece of advice and guidance I have ever seen. Well done Ben, I was looking to setup a home sim but wasn't sure about the options. You the man !

Hi I'm a new fan of your channel from the Phillippines. How I wish I could have a simulator set-up like yours but i can't afford it as of this time. Praying for that day to come :-)

I love using Vatsim, especially now they have fixed the voice, sounds very much like real life

I recognised the Blackpool accent before the aerobatics over the Wyre! Nice film Ben, from a 42yr defence aerospace vet who lived right under that view. Hope all is well for you now.

Enjoyed that Ben - great setup you have! 👌🏼

Ben, thanks for this informative video. I started my 'flying' career with Sierra Pro Pilot around early 2000s, then came different editions of MSFS, then Vatsim. I even used to have water-cooled custom built computer for that very purpose at one stage. But then came the real world flying at which point I stopped flying sims. Now, as grounded wide body pilot I am thinking about going back to the fun of the flight sim world. Thank you for the inspiration.

Last time I looked at a home flight sim was 1995 when my Dad had one on his PC and he used to fly from BHX to GIB in real time! This looks awesome!

This was an outstanding video. I learned more about sim aviation products and how people genuinely use them with this video than I have seen before. Thanks.

Hi Ben! A fellow pilot here doing CPL at Aeros Coventry (just ground now obviously). Keeping current using XP11 and IVAO! (Some videos in my channel...) 80% of flying on a home simulator is tweaking the computer settings to get acceptable FPS xD

A student pilot here and have that same yoke. You should get desktop avaition Throttle quadrant, flaps & trim

That's beautiful, Ben. Nice going. I'd fly with you in the left seat any time.

Great video Ben, as always! I can see this video exploding with views on the next few weeks. I know that home simulators are growing massively since the quarentine began! Well done mate

Excellent times 10 ! Yours' is the best Flight Sim combined with your Real World flying combination I've ever seen. thank you. [subscribed]

When recommendation is so helpful! I am planning to study at flying school here in our country! this so helpful for practicing!

Great to see you on VATSIM Ben! I’m a ppl of ten years, poised to start the IR this year when things all kicked off so I’ve been spending a lot of time doing exactly as you suggest and using Xplane to keep as current as possible, albeit probably not as accurately as you! Would love to jump in on a group VFR or IFR flight some time! Stay safe and good luck for the future.

I really appreciate the time you put in, very informational. I'm leaning more and more to NOT getting a sim. I have a few hours left and I'll have my PPL. I then need to rack up lots of hours to get to commercial and CFI, through IFR and so forth. I have no hardware, so it's looking like a $2000-$3000 investment to get it up to the point to be useful for VFR, IFR and ATC. I don't mind talking on the radio, and often just listen to LiveATC. I really wish I could talk myself into buying a sim, but I think I'd rather just go fly real planes.

Terrific review. I've been using x-plane for a few years and learned a couple of things I didn't know it did! Thanks!

Cracking video Ben, really enjoyed it and very helpful for someone about to undertake their MEIR CPL. Looking forwards to getting started with VATSIM to help make the experience more immersive. All the best and no doubt your work with the sim will help you with your future employer and flying skills.

I just saw this amongst videos suggested (friend sent me advert of Microsoft flight simulator the other day) Watched this and WOW great presentation with clearly explained detail (all missed on me...but I get it!!!) but WOW great stuff!! good luck after covid and great to see videos like this helping others. Thanks.

Another grounded GA pilot here...I was hoping to kick my YT channel off with lots of flying videos. It has turned into a flight sim channel for the time being. I have never used VATSIM myself though it has obviously improved over the last few years. I do use skydemon with X-Plane 11 though. I recommend turning it off if you elect to fly over central london at 500ft in a Huey - it goes mental, turns out there are a lot of cranes at the moment! I used to have one of those Saitek yokes too I bought it to use with anything that needed a yoke vice stick; never have I paid so much for such a bad peripheral! I have read good things about the honeycomb yoke and it seems to be the one to go for if you can't justify a Yoko or a Brunner (both 3x the price). If you ever need a good joystick don't look any further than the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog, it's what I use as I fly such a variety of aircraft it is more practical, helos and fast jets don't feel right with a yoke. The use of home simulators with good hardware used alongside good quality instruction is. I went into my PPL already knowing how half of the most basic kit in the C150 worked and interacted. I think I flew my QXC route four or five times in XP-10 as well as practicing VOR and NDB based navigation. X-Plane 11 with a good quality addon aircraft and the ORBX scenery (its fabulous) works really well for VFR nav.

Great video Ben. This really is a great help thank you. I also completed my PPL with Aeros at Staverton.

Y’know what? That, to me, was a fine video with lots of really good information. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with us. I saved this video and will refer to it often till I feel confident I have it set up and can get the most out it. Thanks again for sharing this fine set of instructions.

Wow Ben, that was incredible. Totally absorbing! Hope we can go flying in the fox soon. Speak later.

A nice quick and informative flight simulator video for pilots I managed to get a few things out of it which I will add to my home flight sim set up as I try to maintain a level of currency.

Fantastic video... get a bruner yoke will blow your mind

Nicely done! Ben, you remind me of when I got back to flight simming. Prob abt 12yrs ago X-Plane 9, then 10. I had a gamer laptop (HP) that barely ran X-Plane. I then upgraded to a self built computer then upgraded again before X-Plane 11 came out so I could use vr. Once you get into VR, there’s no turning back. There’s nothing like turning your head and looking out the cockpit window or flipping switches etc while virtual. And sure! How about a go pro of your RW flight sometime. That’d be ultra special indeed 😎. Thanks for your time and work. Ya gotta new subby too 😉

Ben, good luck to you, you deserve it. Best wishes from Cornwall.

I’m doing my PPL and I do this a lot, even if it’s just for little things like circuits and memorising checks. I like to create videos on topics on this channel to help me remember things whilst not actively flying at the moment.

Great video, I am trying to setup an exact replica sim for a client who flies a Lanceair Evolution TP, the iPad is the breakthrough I needed to replicate his redundant G1000 panel THANK YOU! At home I have a very similar setup to yours with XP11 on a 2019 iMac but I installed and run the software and the almost 600GB of addons on an external drive and it runs beautifully on pretty high settings (depending on the scenery) and I don't have to worry about the resources being used up by add ons, I use dual joysticks because most of my training is on sidestick equipped singles and I use the Saitek switches, mini display, pedals, T16000M dual sticks and Saitek Throttle quadrant. Can't wait for XP12 and the Evolution!

Outstanding tutorial for Mac users. Well done sir. Best I have seen.

Great set up especially the yoke and rudder pedals..throttles...(Iron Sharpening Iron )

Vatsim is good, and free, but a better more proferssional and realistic online ATC is PILOTEDGE, subscription based. Great Video by theway, thanks

Really great video Ben, wish you well and hope you can resume your flying career soon. All the best.

How have I not found your channel until now! Great video, love flying with Vatsim.

Ben, another great video as usual. Hope you are flying soon when safe to do so. Totally agree, the Saitek Yoke is a waste of money. I've ditched mine for a Logitech joystick. Its basic, but works for IFR/ VFR Nav training. I never manged to replicate the real feel of the C172 yoke with the Saitek. I now fly aircraft with centre stick anyway. Sky Demon also links quite well with Xplane 11 for us GA folk.

This has been a very interesting video to watch. Good too, to get an 'endorsement' for the yoke, pedals and X plane 1. Thanks. I hope you get to fly more in the 'real world' too.

I'm currently waiting for my 4th Honeycomb yoke to arrive. First 2 both had pretty substantial qc issues (1st: ethernet jack crazy loose | 2nd: crazy loose trim switches. The 3rd had corrected the first 2 yokes issues, but rotating the yoke was definitely tighter than rolling left, and the pitch axis was far less tight than the 1st two yokes, which I liked, but the trim switches were still kinda loose. I kept the 3rd one and ordered the 4th from a different supplier (mypilotsupply). Neeedless to say, I've been very disappointed with the factory qc of these things, the fact I'm going through 4 of them and every single one has had some different item that is defective blows my mind. Maybe I'm picky. Gotta love that Chinese made stuff. But all in all, I like the yoke.

VFR at riga on friday! :) Riga friday fun! Would love to see you there

Absolutely brilliant video, I will be watching it again tomorrow, probably several times over in fact. Keep it coming mate!

hello ben recently had to renew my imc / ir(r) used my sim for practice every night for a few weeks before renewal test. passed ok. useful for finding features in sky demon of which there are many. also its good fun you can be a hooligan without ending up going to gatwick for a chat with caa 😎 best of luck this won't last forever

I am a flight simmer, and I love your video, Just subscribed.

Great vid heard you on vatsim at Birmingham recently let me know when your planning a vfr trip I'll add more traffic to that airfield. Great set up if you ever get the chance to try virtual reality honestly try it adds a whole new level of immersion.

Hi Ben, great to see you practising on the sim. Didn’t know you’ve got all that setup and using VATSIM, it’s brilliant kit isn’t it? VATSIM has a lot of coverage at the moment what with everyone stuck at home. Been doing this for 18 months or so (wannabe airline pilot plus some VFR practise for real world flying), but felt very fortunate to have it to fall back on during lockdown. Hope to see you in the virtual (and real) skies soon - and maybe you could do a live stream of a real world flight, that would get a lot of interest I’m sure! Stay safe 👍

Great video Ben, I have really enjoyed flying with you online and look forward to more group flights

Great video Ben. Very informative and totally amazing what is out there! Take care and stay safe

Well done. Hope you're back moving folks around soon!

Hey fella, this is great, I have a couple of suggestions which I have seen over the years looking at ‘simpits’ for elite dangerous... get yourself a small monitor riser and bring your paired iPads a little nearer and higher (line of sight overlap for the panel/screens). The other thing is, if your in any way capable, have a look at a diy trackir system (budget friendly), which I have for my elite dangerous setup. A bonus item, I have seen 3d printed parts that go onto your saiteck throttles and it gives you a mock ‘detent’ and you have to lift the paddles in order to engage reverse thrust, there are a couple of videos on RU-vid and parts on Thingiverse .. For those that are good with their hands and make stuff, it’s well worth a look. Be safe.

Wow. Top knowledge imparted ! 🤯 that some is crazy. Must get something to practice basic vfr stuff. Thanks for posting!

Hey Ben, I have been following your journey for years !!! Your flight sim set up and all of the extra add ons is very similar to mine. I’m originally from near Swindon in the U.K. but live in Houston, Texas, USA now and have a private pilot license. I’m planning to take advantage of less airline traffic at IAH airport this weekend and go and shoot some night approaches in to a Class B airport. I also fly on my simulator a lot and one of the most realistic payware Addons for GA aircraft is the A2A fleet of aircraft including very a very realistic Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Piper Cherokee, Piper Comanche & a V Tail Bonanza !!! Maybe you can virtually come over to my side of the world and we can do a KDWH-KGLS flight which takes us through the Houston VFR corridor between 2 very busy class Bravo airport airspace !!! Cheers.................Simon.

Fantastic mate, great set up and a comprehensive talk through. Nice one

Ben I’ve just come across your video by chance for the first time. OMG what an instructional video, the best I’ve seen yet. I’m thinking of starting to fly at home and the information you’ve given is invaluable. Thank you for sharing and you have a subscriber. If you require a donation please let me know. God bless and stay safe 😇🙏🏿

Brilliant video, thanks Ben. Now all you need is the Bremont watch to go with the cup - they just released the Spitfire and Hurricane, I think. Britten Norman Islander was the first model plane I ever built when I was about 10! Keep it up!

Awesome video Ben! It's got me thinking of investing in some kit. I really do miss flying. Hope you're keeping well.

Thank you for all the info on the additional apps that you using. I learned about some new ones that I'm going to give a try.

So enjoyed this video Ben! Well done! I have the G1000 PFD and MFD on two iPads but had no idea I could get a plugin to control the sim! I’ve been considering getting the G1000 system but it’s quite expensive. Guess I already have it! Though I haven’t browsed your other videos yet I wonder about your doing a video on proper methods for online sim pilots to comm with ATC. I hear so many that have no idea. Back when I was with American Virtual Airlines on VATSIM I was VP of training and held several training courses for pilots to assist them. Made my ATC buddies happy! Again thanks! Stay safe! Ted “Triple3”

Great video, Ive been using my sim to keep my eyes and ears in while I complete my PPL. If you ever fly into Gloucester in VATSIM and hear a c152 plodding along in the circuit that will be me. Hoping to get my QXC done as soon as the lockdown is over which will be Gloucester, Cardiff, Halfpenny Green so been flying this route a few times.

Trivia - I used to work for a now defunct company named "Old Ben Coal Company"

Wow man! That's a Amazing setup. I play DCS with a Keyboard & mouse. I have 23hrs of flight time and have crashed 136 times lol.

Great video Ben, some fantastic advice on how to get the most possible out of a home flight sim! I've recently been doing some VFR flying on X-Plane and using Skydemon and had a few tries with VATSIM too. Would definitely be interested on joining in on one of those group flights if you do more in the future.

Awesome video, very detailed. Great production quality. Must have taken you a while. Thanks

Very well put together Ben, really enjoyed.

Very nice presentation of your beautiful Sim. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Ben, Great video always look forward to your videos. I have just got into flight sim with xplane11 past couple of months.Currently 11hrs into my PPL hope we are all flying soon🤞. I have the Saitek yoke which is very frustrating with its deadzone ,even with the mods. I have now ordered the Honeycomb yoke with your discount code from Transair which has now went on back order🙈. Look forward to using it when i get the honeycomb yoke.

Awesome video Ben! Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge and insights!

Really inspiring thanks - have been flying on a simulator for years and really enjoy the hobby. Agreed on the yoke - I just upgraded myself and have not looked back. Now researching a private pilot’s licence, if the weather in the UK allows :-)

VATSIM is Brill

Excellent video. Very informative. I look forward to flying with you on Vatsim!

The video I've been waiting for!

I see you're over Blackpool... I know it so well. and X-plane, you cant do any better.

Thanks Ben, great video and you've got a fantastic set-up there.

Great video Ben! Thoroughly enjoyed it 👍🏻🛩️

Very useful info Ben, happy flying!

Great video Ben. Love to see a Blackpool to Barton flight in the PA28. Keep safe.