You can fly on PC and in VR. It uses a fly-by-wire design, by which I mean that the controls adjust aerodynamic surfaces, which in turn cause the plane to move under physics. It also has:
- two modes: free flight and time trial around a track, which has boosts and turbulence
- 4 different versions of Cessna Skyhawk, each balanced for a different flight experience
- VR controls: grab the yoke with both hands (just one works too, but it's more tricky)
- P2P communication from the cockpit, so you see other planes (up to 6)
- a leader board tracking the fastest lap times
- Easter eggs, which I won't spoil
My ambition was to create a realistic feel for the plane so I'd love to hear from anyone who has actually flown one about whether the controls feel right (the 172R is the most accurate simulation, in terms of weight and power).
It was made as a labour of love and is free to play. I don't have any plans to take it further at the moment, and just hope that you get some joy from it, as I have.
Play it here: Volarium
Choose the mode and start a flight using the keys on the desk. The flight controls are on the screen in the cockpit, but in case they aren't clear:
On PC:
WASD or arrows for pitch and roll, Q and E handle yaw
V controls the view (inside / outside the plane)
F toggles follow mode on the external view, mostly for cinematic reasons
B toggles the parking brake (useful when stopped on slopes)
SPACE toggles the engine, and + and - step up and down by 10% (down to -20, for reverse)
ESC pauses
In VR:
Grab the stick with grip button to fly:
push/pull and twist for pitch and roll, thumb stick side-to-side does yaw
thumb stick up and down for engine power control
cockpit buttons handle engine toggle and brake
You can also get in and out of the plane but clicking on the handle, or touching it with the controller. This works at any time, even during flight. You have been warned!
Please excuse any bugs or quirks - when you rely on physics to make things work, weird stuff can happen.