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Getting Started with X-Plane on Linux

This guide covers system requirements, X-Plane installation, and initial setup. For background on why Linux is a strong platform for X-Plane, see Introduction.

System Requirements

X-Plane 12 requires significant system resources, especially for realistic simulations at high resolutions. A fast CPU with good single-core and multi-core performance is ideal.

  • CPU: Current generation with high single-core and multi-core performance (Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9)
  • RAM: 32 GB or more
  • Graphics Card: High-performance GPU with at least 8 GB VRAM (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 3080/4080 or higher)
  • Storage Space: 250 GB or more SSD storage (NVMe recommended)
  • Network: Fast internet connection for ortho streaming and map updates
Why these specifications?
  • CPU: X-Plane benefits from fast single-core speed and distributes rendering work across multiple cores. These recommendations target addon-heavy setups with orthophotos — Laminar Research's official minimum is lower (e.g., Intel i5-12600K).
  • RAM: Memory-hungry addons, detailed scenery, and orthophotos can dramatically increase RAM usage.
  • GPU: Especially for 4K resolution or multi-monitor setups, high-resolution textures and complex lighting effects challenge even high-end GPUs.
  • Storage: The base installation requires about 25 GB, a full install with all scenery regions around 75–80 GB. Orthophotos can quickly add hundreds of GB on top. SSD speed reduces loading times during flight.
  • Network: Real-time data such as weather and air traffic, as well as streaming orthophotos, require a reliable connection.

Hardware Optimizations

  • SSD/NVMe drive for operating system and X-Plane installation
  • Dedicated graphics card with current drivers
  • Multiple monitors for extended cockpit setup
  • Good cooling system, as X-Plane heavily loads CPU and GPU
Debian Linux Installation

This documentation assumes a working Debian installation in the current Stable version with a functional graphical user interface. If Debian still needs to be installed:

Official Installation Sources

Choosing the Right Version

  • Always use the current Stable version of Debian for maximum stability
  • The Stable version is prominently displayed on the Debian main page
  • For X-Plane performance, always choose the 64-bit version (amd64)

Installation Tips

  • Any major desktop environment works with X-Plane. "GNOME" or "KDE Plasma" are recommended for newcomers due to large community support and mature Wayland integration
  • When partitioning, configure swap space: approximately 4 GB is sufficient without hibernation, or equal to your RAM size if you plan to use hibernation
  • Set up separate partitions for / (root, at least 30 GB) and /home (remaining space)
  • Install the GRUB bootloader on the main drive

After Installation

  1. Fully update the system: 

    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

  2. Install important base packages: 

    sudo apt install build-essential dkms git curl wget nano

Installing X-Plane 12 on Linux

X-Plane 12 is available both through Steam and directly from Laminar Research.

Steam

This documentation focuses on the standalone installation. All described optimizations can be applied 1:1 to a Steam installation — only the paths need to be adjusted to match Steam's directory structure (typically ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/X-Plane 12/).

Standalone Version (Laminar Research)

The standalone version provides:

  • Full control over installation directory and options
  • Direct updates via the X-Plane updater without third parties
  • Easy backups and migration to other computers
  • Unrestricted access to files for modifications

Installation steps:

  1. Download X-Plane

    • Visit the official X-Plane website
    • Purchase X-Plane 12 (or download the demo version)
    • Download the Linux installer (X-Plane12InstallerLinux.zip, approximately 25 MB)

  2. Prepare the installer

    • Navigate to the download folder and extract: 
      cd ~/Downloads
unzip X-Plane12InstallerLinux.zip
    • Make the installer executable (if needed): 
      chmod +x "X-Plane 12 Installer Linux"

  3. Start installation

    • Run the installer: 
      ./"X-Plane 12 Installer Linux"
    • In the graphical installer, select:
      • Installation directory (recommended: /home/[username]/X-Plane 12/)
      • Scenery packages to load
      • World coverage (select at least your main flying area)

  4. Download process

    • The installer downloads the selected content (25–80 GB depending on scenery selection)
    • This process can take several hours
    • The download can be interrupted and resumed later

After Installation

  1. First launch: Start X-Plane once and close it again so that configuration files are created

  2. Optimize performance settings: Adjust graphics settings according to your hardware. See X-Plane Configuration for Linux-specific guidance.

  3. Check the performance with the built-in FPS display (activate with Shift+Ctrl+F)

Troubleshooting: Library Dependencies (ldd)

If X-Plane doesn't start or crashes unexpectedly, it might be due to missing libraries. Check dependencies with ldd:

cd ~/X-Plane\ 12/
ldd X-Plane-x86_64

Look for lines marked not found:

libvulkan.so.1 => not found

Common Missing Dependencies

Library Package Installation Command
libvulkan.so.1 libvulkan1 sudo apt install libvulkan1
libGL.so.1 libgl1 sudo apt install libgl1
libX11.so.6 libx11-6 sudo apt install libx11-6
libasound.so.2 libasound2 sudo apt install libasound2
libpulse.so.0 libpulse0 sudo apt install libpulse0

For full Vulkan support (required):

sudo apt install libvulkan1 mesa-vulkan-drivers vulkan-tools

For audio support:

sudo apt install libasound2 libasound2-plugins libpulse0

After installing missing libraries, restart X-Plane.

Troubleshooting

If problems occur:

  • X-Plane doesn't start: Check the log file at ~/X-Plane 12/Log.txt
  • Poor performance: Update graphics drivers and reduce graphics settings
  • Crashes: Ensure all X-Plane files were downloaded correctly
  • Input devices not recognized: Install jstest-gtk for diagnosis and calibration

For technical terms, consult the Glossary.

Next Steps

After a successful installation, continue with:

  1. Performance Fundamentals — Understand the three load dimensions (CPU, I/O, network)
  2. NVIDIA Drivers — Install and configure proprietary NVIDIA drivers
  3. Liquorix Kernel — Low-latency kernel optimized for desktop workloads
  4. System Tuning — CPU governor, interrupt shielding, and kernel parameters
  5. Display Server — Wayland vs. X11 for X-Plane
  6. X-Plane Configuration — Linux-specific graphics and performance settings