Preparing for a flight simulator session is a lot like getting ready for a real world flight, but you have the bonus of comfort and the flexibility of being at home. Flight simulators have progressed by leaps and bounds, offering super detailed experiences—whether your goal is professional pilot training or having fun soaring through digital skies.

Many newcomers feel a little disoriented in the cockpit, uncertain where to start or what to focus on. The good news is, with a bit of planning, you can build confidence, pick up new skills faster, and have way more fun—regardless of how much experience you have.

This guide breaks down what you should know before starting your flight simulator session. We’ll check out everything from hardware setup to ways to keep things interesting. Plus, I’ll answer some popular questions new simmers usually ask.

Here is an example of what at home flight simulators can look like, although you can spend a lot on high end equipment to increase the realism – a lot can be achieved with a very cheap setup consisting of not much more then a monitor, joystick and throttle.

1. Know Your Gear: Setup Makes a Difference

Your hardware setup really shapes your sim adventure. Even small tweaks, like changing your desk position or getting your chair just right, can make things comfier and more convincing.

• Choose your hardware: At a minimum, grab a computer or console with your chosen flight sim. Joysticks, yokes, and rudder pedals give a boost to realism, but you can still have fun with an ordinary Xbox controller in some sims.
• Pick your display: Try to play on the biggest, sharpest screen you can. Triple monitors or VR headsets are next-level cool for immersion. If that’s out of reach, a solid monitor handles the job perfectly well.
• Get comfortable: Choose a chair with good back support; you’ll be sitting for a while. Keep a bottle of water handy and make sure all your controls are easy to see and reach.

If you notice lag or stutter, lower the sim’s graphics just a bit until the action is smooth. A steady, clear frame rate makes it much easier to enjoy the sim and learn the small details.

2. Brush Up on Procedures: Know What You’ll Fly

Going in with a plan saves you from lots of confusion later. Decide which aircraft you want to use and what sort of flight you’ll do. It helps to write out a quick checklist or load a built-in tutorial flight before getting started.

• Stick with simple, short flights for now: Doing a quick lap around the pattern helps you get used to the aircraft’s quirks and the cockpit layout.
• Keep charts and references handy: Print or download airport diagrams, checklists, or navigation charts. Many sims have kneeboards built in, but having a paper copy nearby is reassuring.
• Watch a quick tutorial video: YouTube is full of explanations for any sim or airplane you can name. Even five minutes with a tutorial helps if you’re flying something new.

3. Beat Distractions: Focus for Realism

Flight simulation gets way better when you block out distractions like pings, background noise, or random interruptions. Carve out even an hour where you can really focus—it’s worth it for total immersion and faster learning.

• Silence your phone or turn on Do Not Disturb.
• Shut down extra apps and browser tabs to help your computer focus on the sim.
• Keep a notepad at hand to quickly jot down off-topic thoughts so you can circle back later.

With this small step, you slip right into “mission mode” and can run through planning, flying, and debriefing just like real pilots do.

4. Get a Plan: What’s Your Goal This Session?

Sessions work best with a clear goal—whether you’re trying to master landings, check out a new region, or tackle challenging weather. Don’t overcomplicate things; staying focused stops you from simply roaming aimlessly and quitting out of boredom.

• Jot down your aim: Maybe you want to land smoothly three times, fly from Airport X to Airport Y, shoot a good visual approach, or drill checklist steps.
• Break big ambitions into bite-sized steps: Are you new to flight? Work through engine start and taxi this round. Training for IFR flights? Focus on holding patterns or working with navigation for one session.

Ticking off small wins over time gives your sim time direction and makes your progress obvious and rewarding.

5. Boredom Busters: Mix Up Your Routine

It’s perfectly normal to get bored with flight sims if you always do the same thing. A little variety breathes new life into your experience, whether you’re a newcomer or seasoned simmer.

• Change the weather or lighting: Fly at sunrise, after dark, or when storms are rolling through for new challenges.
• Explore a new area: Visit legendary airports, remote backcountry strips, or fly in another country with different terrain.
• Try a new aircraft: If you’ve been flying big jets, go for a little trainer or floatplane. Each type handles differently and teaches new tricks.
• Team up for a multiplayer flight: Lots of online communities set up group flights—these are a lot of fun and offer a chance to share tips while flying with others.

6. Track Progress: Logs and Learning

Logging your flights helps you track progress, see improvement, and spot skills that need work. Don’t overthink it—just jot down the date, plane, locations, weather, and one lesson or something to try next session.

• Plenty of sims automatically log your flight hours—use these records as milestones. Examples: first solo, your tenth landing, or a tricky instrument approach.
• Looking through your logs is motivating; you get to see how far you’ve come, which is helpful if you ever hit a plateau.

Some simmers even start adding screenshots to their logs, or reviewing their own flights after each session to see where they can step up. Whether you use a notepad, app, or dedicated logbook, keeping a record can really give you a boost and help you spot patterns in your strengths and weak spots.

7. Flight Sim FAQ: Common Beginner Questions

Should beginners play with flight simulators?

Yes, absolutely! Modern flight simulators are easier than ever to jump into and have settings for all skill levels. Beginner modes have simplified flight models and autopilots, and most come loaded with tutorials. No pilot training needed—just a bit of patience and time to learn as you go.

What to do when bored in flight simulator?

Shake up your flights with tough weather, new airports, or emergency scenarios. You can add new planes or get involved in online flying for fresh challenges. Changing up your scenery, goals, or joining a group can help make things exciting again.

How many hours do you need in a flight simulator?

If you’re flying for fun, there are no rules—play as much or as little as you like! If you’re interested in professional flight training, check the guidelines for your country. Most require at least 10-50 flight simulator hours in approved trainers, but these are just for licensing purposes.

Does simulator training count as flight hours?

Certified sim hours can count toward your pilot’s license, but only up to a certain point. Training at home doesn’t count as legal hours, but it’s still super helpful for learning. Always check with your instructor or local authority for specific rules.

Making the Most of Every Flight Sim Session

Your best results in flight simulation come from a little planning, setting clear goals, and being open to new methods. Whether you’re in a classic biplane or a modern jet, taking a moment to set up your gear, map out your flight, and focus will help you pick up skills and have a lot more fun along the way. Happy flying!