Free open-source multi-platform flight simulator FlightGear 2019.1 was finally released today. Here’s how to install it in Ubuntu 18.04 and higher.

FlightGear 2019.1 release highlights:

• METAR interpretation: Change CAVOK visibility to 9999.0 metres
• Add the ability to control the turbine engines spin down factor
• Add the ability to set up the starter and acceleration times of a turbine
• Yasim ground friction (stiction) changes
• fgcommands “add-aiobject” and “remove-aiobject” for adding/removing objects to the AI subsystem.
• Support for DDS Texture Cache
• New experimental Compositor rendering framework
• Some Boeing 777 update, and other more.

How to Install FlightGear in Ubuntu:

FlightGear is available in Ubuntu Software by default, but always old. To get the most recent version, you can:

• either install or upgrade FlightGear via PPA repository.
• or install the Flatpak package (runs in sandbox).

NOTE: Both PPA repository and Flatpak package are not updated at the moment. The new release packages will be available in a few days.

1. To add the PPA, open terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:saiarcot895/flightgear

Then you’ll be able to either upgrade FlightGear through Software Updater,

or install the simulator via command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install flightgear

(Optional) You can remove the PPA either via the first step command with --remove added in the end, or by going to “Software & Updates -> Other Software” tab.

2. FlightGear Flatpak package is available in Flathub repository, where also contains how to install instructions.