Linux Installation

On this page, you will find directions for installing X-Plane on Linux, special cases, installation troubleshooting, and FAQs.

Identifying your version
The Installer Versions page describes identifying attributes of historical versions. It also contains links to the current DVD Installers and Demo Installers.

Expanding the installer
Most modern Linux distributions will allow extraction of the installer from the right-click context menu or simply double-clicking the archive file.

Where should I install X-Plane?
I usually install X-Plane in one of two places. If I'm on a system that has a separate partition for big applications, music, and other media, I install it there (on my systems, I call this /media); otherwise, I install it in my home directory. I have heard reports of people who like to install it in /usr/games or /usr/local/games -- if you choose to do this, beware of permissions, because the installer sets the name for the folder.

Do I need to install my 8.xx DVD before I update to 8.60 from the web?
Yes, you do. The 8.00+ DVDs contain global scenery base files that you need in order to install any other scenery. The 8.60 web updater only contains binaries and the demo area. You will not be able to install any global scenery packages (such as Europe or the US) without installing the base scenery off of the program DVD.

Distribution Specific Notes

 * Debian based
 * Ubuntu
 * 7.10 Gusty
 * 8.04 Hardy Heron
 * 8.10 Intrepid Ibex
 * RedHat based

If all else fails...
If all else fails, please send a bug report to linux@x-plane.com. Be sure to attach the Log.txt that the X-Plane application in question produced. Be advised that the Log.txt is overwritten *each time* you start any X-System application.