There are various flight sims out there but there are few that are totally free. FlightGear bucks this trend to offer a user-friendly but realistic introduction to the skies, all built on open-source programming. Just because it’s free though, don’t think that FlightGear can’t compete with the big boys such as Microsoft Flight Simulator X – it's as good, if not better in many ways.

Firstly, it's not isolated to Windows – in true open source spirit FlightGear also works on several Linux/UNIX platforms and Macs. Like most flight-sims however, the installation and startup takes a good 5-10 minutes to install the various backdrops and 3D graphics. Once started, you’re presented with around 20 planes to select ranging from Messerschmitts to Cessnas. Next up, you’re asked to select an initial selection of around 30 locations around the world. You can download a whole lot more – enough to fill 3 DVDs, apparently – from the developer website.

FlightGear can be controlled in two ways - through the command line and through a graphical wizard called ‘fgrun’. Both do exactly the same thing but we recommend the wizard for ease of use. Once you’re done with this, you hit the runway and off you go! There are no missions to complete or battles to win – it's simply a case of take-off, landing and enjoying the scenery.

Fans of Top Gun, Flying Tigers or Wings all share the same hidden ambition: to one day be able to fly a fighter jet at Mach 2. Now not everyone's body can take the pressure and strain of flying such a sophisticated aircraft, and it often takes thousands of hours of simulation and practice before actually jumping into the hot seat. Just ask Maverick.

Luckily, the latest games available for PC offer very realistic flight situations and ultra detailed control boards, giving you a pretty good idea of what it would be like to handle one of these machines without the fear of ever crashing. These games range from the top notch Flight Simulator to WWII dogfights and futuristic interstellar travels.

• Microsoft Flight Simulator X - A reference even for true pilots, Microsoft's classic offers 50 different missions, more than 24,000 airports worldwide and all sorts of aircraft from light jets to commercial carriers or helicopters.
• Air Guard - Take part in massive dogfights during WWII to defend your family and country against Nazi Germany. A fast paced, arcade air battle simulator.
• Flightgear - An open source flight simulator with excellent tutorials to learn all sorts of maneuvers with 20 different aircraft in 30 different locations. Offers highly detailed 3D graphics.
• Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII - As a squadron commander during WWII, relive famous air battles like Pearl Harbor, the Battle of England or the bombing of Berlin. Excellent graphics and a gripping plot.
• X-Plane - Another highly realistic flight simulator, X-Plane has a wide range of aircraft to choose from and lets you familiarize yourself with your cockpit. Used by US and Canadian aviation authorities to train their pilots.
• Universal Combat A World Apart - Carry out frantic space battles throughout the universe. Needless to say this game won't teach you how to fly, but the combat scenes are enjoyable.
• Clearview - Learn how to handle remote controlled airplanes and helicopters before actually installing yourself into a real cockpit. Offers a multiplayer mode and cool camera movements.
• Jupiter 3D Space Tour - Travel around the biggest planet in our galaxy, observing its ring, satellites and constant violent storms.
• Flight Chase - Nothing of a flight simulator, this fun little arcade game is about collecting green spheres with your aircraft and avoiding enemy fire.