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XoL: Running X-Plane on Linux

This documentation covers setup and optimization of X-Plane 12 (Laminar Research) under Linux. It is aimed at experienced Linux users — a working installation is assumed. The examples are based on Debian but transfer to other distributions with minor adjustments.

Where to Start

  • Why Linux? Introduction explains what makes X-Plane on Linux different.
  • New to X-Plane on Linux? Getting Started covers system requirements, installation, and first launch.
  • X-Plane already running? Performance explains the three load dimensions (CPU, I/O, network) before diving into System Tuning.

About This Documentation

The core focus is on Linux system tuning — kernel parameters, CPU governor, GPU drivers, display server selection, and filesystem optimization — complemented by performance analysis using both X-Plane's built-in tools and Linux monitoring utilities. Additional sections cover scenery management with orthophoto streaming, flight operations including ATC procedures, and a reference catalog of Linux-compatible addons and plugins. The guides are modular — individual topics can be implemented independently or combined as needed.

Contributing

This documentation is an open project. Improvements or additions can be contributed via GitHub:

  • Create issues for bugs or suggestions
  • Submit pull requests for changes
  • Share experiences in the discussions in the footer of this website (e.g., via the Discord link)

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Recent Changes

2026-07-27

  • Fact-check across all 46 addon pages: every claim verified against current primary sources. Highlights: AviTab now documents the maintained TeamAvitab fork, LST's developer tooling is a browser-based Web Editor that also runs on Linux, XOrganizer is now sold via the X-Plane.org Store, XPPython3 points to its maintained successor fork, and stagnant projects (XGS, XLinSpeak, TerrainRadar and others) are marked with their last release date

2026-07-26

  • Ortho4XP now covers OrthoForge: an independently developed successor with a native Linux setup script, separate land/seabed elevation sources and pre-baked OpenStreetMap data

2026-06-30

  • WorldMap of Scenery now shows each scenery's last update date and adds a Scenery since year filter — show only sceneries updated since a chosen year. The map now covers over 1800 X-Plane 12 sceneries