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XoL: Running X-Plane on Linux

This documentation is aimed at experienced Linux users who want to run X-Plane on Linux. A working Linux installation is assumed.

The examples shown here are based on Debian Linux but can be easily adapted to other distributions. The basic concepts and approaches remain the same - only the specific package manager commands or repository configurations need to be adjusted accordingly.

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Documentation Content

The documentation covers the most important areas of X-Plane configuration under Linux. The focus is on optimal settings for X-Plane, performance optimization through kernel, drivers, and system settings, as well as the installation and configuration of important extensions like AutoOrtho. Additionally, common problems and their solutions are thoroughly addressed. A special emphasis is placed on performance analysis using integrated and external tools, filesystem optimization for fast loading times, and hardware-specific adjustments for maximum performance.

Guide Structure

The technical guides are modular in design and enable flexible implementation. You can implement individual components as needed or adapt the entire system according to your requirements. Each guide describes the goal and benefit of the change, shows the necessary steps, explains important configuration options, and provides troubleshooting tips. The guides are organized into logical sections: Basic system optimization, performance monitoring and analysis, hardware-specific adjustments, and advanced configurations for special use cases.

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)

Recent Changes

2026-02-14

  • X-Plane Configuration expanded: Comprehensive udev rules for controllers (identify device IDs, rule examples, distinguish identical devices by USB port)
  • Nvidia Driver audited: Added package manager method as recommended approach, corrected persistence mode and modeset claims, marked composition pipeline settings as X11-only, added sources section
  • X-Plane Configuration corrected: Differentiated __GL_* variables (__GL_SYNC_TO_VBLANK affects Vulkan), added NVIDIA Smooth Motion as experimental option
  • System Tools verified: Added missing sudo to ioping commands (direct device access requires root)
  • System Tools audited: Fixed btop hotkey, clarified cpupower/turbostat/mpstat descriptions, improved glances and fatrace notation, bold table captions
  • System Tuning fact-checked: Corrected scheduler references, removed non-functional kernel parameter, clarified NVMe notes, added sources section
  • Getting Started revised: Merged troubleshooting sections, clarified 32-bit note, added display server link
  • Language revision (DE): Getting Started and Docker converted to impersonal style
  • Glossary expanded: New terms PDS and irqbalance
  • System Tuning glossary links added: FPS, Frame Time, Latency, Preemption, NVMe, C-States, EEVDF, PDS, irqbalance
  • System Tuning and Videos: System tuning video embedded (DE + EN)
  • Glossary expanded: New term SoftIRQ
  • System Tools glossary links added: NVMe, C-States, IRQ, CPU Governor, Latency, APST
  • New page System Tuning Introduction: Video intro bridging tuning and monitoring topics
  • Navigation: System Tools renamed to System Monitoring, grouped under System Tuning

2026-02-13

  • Getting Started corrected: Updated installer instructions, refined system recommendations, fixed outdated package names and single-core claims, added cross-references
  • Getting Started glossary links added: GRUB, NVMe, VRAM, Orthophotos, FPS, Wayland
  • Video content separated by language: German videos on DE pages only, first English video Mastering scenery packs embedded
  • New Videos page — video collection with embedded overview videos
  • XEarthLayer expanded: CPU tuning section for parallel operation with X-Plane
  • Introduction to Orthophotography expanded: ortho streamer placement in scenery_packs.ini
  • Scenery Components expanded: videos and links to Ortho Streaming and Ortho4XP
  • Wayland Session streamlined, Display Server and Introduction: videos embedded
  • About revised: license, privacy policy, legal notices, target audience
  • Glossary expanded: 40 new terms covering kernel, graphics, filesystem, audio, and scenery

2026-02-11

  • Display Server pages fact-checked: Debian defaults corrected, XWayland row added to Hugl table, latency measurements clarified, NVIDIA modeset default updated, MESA variable scoped to Mesa drivers