GET YOUR BEARINGS
Plan your next SimplePlanes session
Our independent guide walks you through SimplePlanes’ core systems—building, physics, challenges, sandbox freedom, and modding—so you can understand how each element shapes flight performance without relying on undocumented shortcuts.
01 / THE GUIDE
Wing Shape Comparison
Construct two planes that differ only in wing shape—one long and narrow, the other short and wide. Fly each in sandbox and note how lift, drag and handling change during turns.
- Experiment with moving a wing forward to see how lift distribution changes.
- Add a small amount of rear weight to observe its effect on pitch stability.
02 / THE GUIDE
Engine Placement Test
Create identical fuselages but place the engine at the front on one and the rear on the other. Observe how thrust location influences pitch stability and required control inputs during takeoff.
- Watch wing stress during sharp turns to avoid breakage.
- Observe how moving the engine forward or backward shifts pitch response.

03 / THE GUIDE
Challenge Adaptation
Select a simple carrier‑landing challenge, then adjust your aircraft’s weight distribution to improve landing precision. Record how each tweak affects touchdown speed and alignment.
- Start with simpler challenges to learn how your design reacts.
- After each attempt, tweak the aircraft to better meet the objective.
04 / THE GUIDE
Mod Integration Trial
Use the Unity mod package to design a new propeller part. Import it, attach it to a basic plane, and compare its performance against the stock propeller in a timed race.
- Use sandbox builds to test extreme configurations before entering a challenge.
- Combine unusual parts to discover unexpected aerodynamic effects.
05 / THE GUIDE
VR vs. Desktop Flight Feel
Enable VR in SimplePlanes and fly the same craft you used on desktop. Pay attention to perceived speed, altitude and control responsiveness, noting how immersion alters your piloting approach.
- Start with simple part edits to become familiar with the workflow.
- Test your mod in a sandbox session before publishing it.




