To realize these virtual trips and be able to be as close as possible of reality I am using different applications in addition of my favorite X-Plane 11 flight simulator.
- Member of the International Virtual Aviation Organization
The International Virtual Aviation Organization IVAO for short, was founded in 1998 to provide an online platform for flight simulation enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby in a simulated real-world environment, in company of other people, flying or providing Air Traffic Control services close to the reality with audio communications in real time. - The X-Plane community website
The portal X-Plane.org allow to find many airports, planes, and many others stuffs. - Mesh with Ortho4xp
To increase a realistic view of the world I am using the excellent Ortho4xp application (details can be found there) that will add photorealistic scenery files to X-Plane. Similar about what you could find in Google Earth. - A very simple photo editor like Paint for Windows or even any application on mobile phones is enough to edit quickly screenshot to enhance them about details and lights to provide a little more “real feeling” (and no need more).
- Aerial navigation charts provided by Navigraph
The Navigraph FMS Data bring every 28 days navigation charts (IFR, airways …) to the simulator and add-ons. Charts come from Jeppesen, a sure value. - An Electronic Flight Planner Assistant like EFFASS, or SimBrief.
- A Flightplan validation from EuroPPL website.
- And some personal Excel spreadsheets for my airliners moments too 😉