Head Tracking and Virtual Reality
Immersion Beyond the Monitor
Introduction
Flight simulation hardware has traditionally focused on physical devices: yokes, joysticks, panels, and other cockpit elements. But over the last few years, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a transformative way to experience flight simulation. Rather than relying solely on physical screens and monitors, VR immerses you in a 3D cockpit environment, allowing natural head movements, improved situational awareness, and a more realistic flight experience. This guide explores the current state of VR in flight simulation, including head tracking, VR headset options, performance considerations, and simulator compatibility.
Attendees at FlightSimExpo try Virtual Reality, which is typically featured at several exhibitor displays at the show.
Head Tracking
For simmers who aren’t ready to commit to a full Virtual Reality setup, head tracking provides a cost-effective way to make flying more immersive. Even for pilots who never plan to use VR long-term, head tracking adds realism by allowing you to naturally look around the cockpit and the environment outside, instead of relying on a hat switch or mouse to pan your view.
23% of flight simmers reported that they use head tracking software.
Key benefits of head tracking include:
Immersion Without VR: Head tracking allows your viewpoint to move naturally with your head so that it's easier to lean forward to inspect instruments, glance over your shoulder when taxiing or on final approach, and more. For most desktop setups, this ability makes the cockpit feel much more lifelike.
Affordable: Compared to full VR, head tracking hardware and software are inexpensive. Many solutions are free or low-cost, making it a low-risk way to try out a more immersive experience without a major investment.
Easy Integration: Head tracking works alongside your current flight controls and can be used with single or multi-monitor setups. It doesn’t require altering your existing hardware, and most major simulators recognize head tracking natively, alleviating the need for complicated setup or configuration required.
Customization: Many head tracking solutions allow you to adjust sensitivity, smoothing, and movement range, tailoring the experience to your cockpit layout and personal preferences. Some even combine eye tracking for a hybrid experience that enhances targeting, view centering, and instrument focus.
Head Tracking Options
Some of the more popular head tracking options are discussed below. Each of these options works with the main desktop simulators, including MSFS, X-Plane, DCS World, and Prepar3D. Devices that include hardware (TrackIR and Tobii Eye Tracker) offer a more plug-and-play experience with minimal setup, making them ideal for users who want straightforward installation. In contrast, free or low-cost app-based options may require additional configuration and calibration to achieve optimal performance.
Similar to SmoothTrack (it runs on the same platform), AI Track is a free, open-source head tracker that can be used with a webcam or your phone's camera. You'll need to be in a room that's at least bright enough for your webcam to see you, and the installation requires a few more steps than the paid options.
OpenTrack is an open-source program for tracking a user's head rotation and transmitting it to flight simulation software and military-themed video games. Although documentation is available, installing and configuring the software will require more manual effort and in-depth computer knowledge than paid options.
This mobile app doesn't require any additional hardware, making it very easy to set up and get flying. Although some users have indicated it may not have the same tracking accuracy or responsiveness as the hardware-based options, the simple setup and low cost makes it a great choice. There is also a USB connection mode that can improve latency, as does the use of a fast 5 GHz WiFi network. You'll want to keep your device plugged in, as running the app is very battery-intensive. You'll also need to be in a lit room to use the tracking, as the app can only track your face if it can see you.
Turn your webcam or phone into an AI-powered eye tracker and ditch the bulky tracking hardware. Enable gaming extensions like OpenTrack for immersive eye and head tracking and control the in-game camera naturally. Additionally, enhance your videos and live streams with an eye tracking overlay, adding a new dimension to your content.
TrackHat considers themselves an alternative to TrackIR. In addition to a competing clip (which is also compatible with TrackIR's head tracker), TrackHat also offers a complete head tracker integrated into a cap. This eliminates the need for tangling wires; everything is integrated into the cap, with a wireless/rechargeable battery.
TrackIR works using a TrackClip connected to your headset or hat and a sensor mounted above your monitor. Easy to use and taking only one USB slot, TrackIR offers excellent head tracking, even in a dark room. However, the TrackClip must be connected to your headset, adding additional wires that often tangle. It's also easily breakable, especially if you are prone to dropping your headset. You'll also want to set a button to “re-center” your view, which you'll be using quite a bit!
The Tobii Eye Tracker 5 uses a hardware device that mounts above or below your computer monitor to track both head and eye movement. Tilt your head, lean forward and look around. Your eyes and head movements direct the in-game camera, so your head position in real-life translates to how you occupy the pilot seat and interact with the game world.
Not sure which head tracking solution is right for you? In the video below, Blu Games breaks down his favorite options, from plug-and-play setups to budget-friendly apps, sharing tips and insights to help you find the perfect fit for your flight simulator.
Blu Games discusses his favorite head tracking solutions for simulation and gaming.
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality involves wearing a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) that immerses the pilot in a 3D cockpit environment. Unlike traditional monitors, VR allows for natural head movements to look around the cockpit, enhancing situational awareness and realism. Many simmers pair their HMD with existing handheld controllers (similar to what you might use with a gaming console), allowing the user to interact with in-game items as they would with their hands.
As of 2024, 18% of simmers are using VR in their setups (a further 10% own a headset, but use it for other games, while 72% don't use VR).
Many simmers who have tried VR report that it provides a far more immersive experience than a traditional setup, giving a stronger sense of actually being “inside the aircraft.” But experiences can vary depending on the headset, computer, and simulator used, especially as simulators gradually offer better VR support and optimization.
Using a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), users are fully immersed into the simulation, looking at a cockpit that appears in three dimensions around them.
For a VR setup, you'll need:
A flight simulator compatible with VR (all major desktop simulators offer native VR support).
A VR HMD, including any hardware that comes with it (some include a "base station" and handheld controllers).
Traditional (non-VR) flight controls, like a yoke, joystick, and rudder pedals (these are recommended, but not strictly required).
Computer Performance
As an evolving technology in the flight simulation world, VR is not as seamless as simply installing a simulator and flying. Even pilots with high-end computers may need to spend some time researching setup tips and performance optimization online. While it’s not yet a true “plug-and-play” experience, VR technology and simulator support are improving rapidly, making the process easier and more accessible with each update.
Across various websites, guides, and flight simulator help materials, the recommended computer specs vary. Generally, you'll want a relatively new PC with a high-performance CPU and GPU, along with at least 16 GB of RAM. HMD manufacturers each provide minimum specs for their devices. MSFS has also published minimum and recommended configurations for VR.
Another helpful resource is the SteamVR Performance Test. Using a 2-minute demo, this software collects data and offers recommendations for VR performance. Keep in mind that the utility is generic to all games and may not reflect the ideal specs for flight simulation, which tends to require more CPU and GPU processing.
Tips from Pimax
According to Pimax—one of the leading flight simulation VR developers—there are two key factors that have a crucial impact on the flight simulation experience: field of view (FOV) and refresh rate. VR differentiates itself from traditional setups in that it does better in both categories, and thus offers a more immersive simulation experience. In the traditional desktop setup without a VR headset, even with multiple monitors, the refresh rate simply won't match what's available with a head-mounted VR device. Furthermore, additional “wraparound” screens increase GPU processing and of course add to the cost of your ultimate setup. Increased screen size can also reduce the quality of the visuals.
VR Headset Options
Most desktop flight simulators support a wide range of VR headsets, including those made by Oculus, Valve, Pimax, and others. Compatibility can vary by simulator, so before purchasing, it’s important to confirm which headsets your preferred platform officially supports. The key is to match your simulator’s capabilities with a headset that balances performance, comfort, and cost for your specific setup.
Example VR headsets for flight simulation include:
VR hardware evolves quickly, with new models and upgrades released every year. Before committing to a purchase, it’s worth doing your own research to ensure you’re getting the best option for your needs and simulator of choice. Many flight sim content creators and community reviewers regularly test and compare headsets, making their insights a valuable resource when weighing performance, comfort, and value.
Practical Considerations
VR is still a developing technology, and not every aspect of a flight simulator works perfectly in this environment. High-end, study-level airliners, which are already resource-intensive, may perform better in a 2D setup than in VR. Programming complex systems like an FMS or GPS can be challenging in VR, and many pilots choose to remove their headset during pre-flight procedures. For general aviation flying, however, VR offers a clear advantage, allowing you to naturally turn your head to look out the window or scan the runway.
Because your eyes are under an HMD, using a keyboard or mouse isn't as easy—and any other hardware you use will have to be easy to find on your desk. Most simmers opt for a relatively simple hardware setup with a yoke or joystick and pedals. Something with several programmable keys is a good idea—when you need to lower the gear, it's easier to find and push a button on your yoke than to use a VR controller or mouse interface to access the button.
Alternatively, voice control software like VoiceAttack can translate spoken commands into simulator inputs, reducing the need to remove the headset. For example, saying “Gear Down” can send the corresponding keyboard shortcut (e.g., CTRL+G) to the simulator, and the software works alongside communication apps like Discord or TeamSpeak without interference.
Even with these solutions, many VR pilots alternate between wearing the headset for critical phases of flight and removing it for tasks like programming the aircraft or during long cruise segments. While most menus and settings can be accessed within VR, there are times when the simplest approach is to take off the headset, make the necessary adjustments with the mouse or keyboard, and then resume flying.
Simulator-Specific Tips
The sections below provide tips for each of the major flight simulators. Since every platform differs in its VR support, compatible hardware, and setup process, consider these suggestions a starting point. You’ll need to do additional research to find the best solution for your specific system and preferences.
Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS)
MSFS has published several VR Troubleshooting and Support FAQ Articles to assist with getting started. The simulator is compatible with with headsets that support OpenXR, including Oculus and SteamVR headsets. Their documentation states that the simulator was specifically optimized for the HP Reverb G1, G2, and Samsung Odyssey+ headsets.
In MSFS, the surfaces of the aircraft cockpit are effectively mapped to a VR mouse interface, allowing you to use the mouse to interact with switches, knobs, and dials, just as you would in a traditional setup.
X-Plane
Several VR tuning videos for X-Plane recommend the free 3jFPS plugin, which helps users reach stable performance by dynamically adjusting view distance, cloud quality, and other settings.
Additionally, a free plugin called AviTab allows you to view charts, moving maps, and more from right within the simulator. You can even link the virtual tablet to your Navigraph products to see charts from within the VR environment. This plugin is used heavily by VR simmers to improve the experience.
DCS World
The DCS Support FAQ provides guidance for getting started with VR, including a list of supported headsets, troubleshooting steps, and VR-specific settings recommendations.
Prepar3D
Prepar3D v5 (and earlier versions) supports VR with the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Varjo VR-1, and SteamVR headsets. Their v5 SDK includes a specific Virtual Reality Tuning Guide with settings for users to consider.
Aerofly
According to the official Aerofly website, their simulator features impressive VR performance and realism, with native support for SteamVR and Oculus headsets. The simulator includes a dedicated VR settings menu and supports immersive interactions using “virtual hands” with controllers like Oculus Touch and HTC Vive. These hand-tracked controllers allow you to grab the yoke, flip switches, and manipulate knobs within the cockpit just like you would in real life.