Hi everyone, I’m just getting started with flight simulators (mainly MSFS and DCS) and could really use some guidance. I’m looking for recommendations on good books that explain the fundamentals - things like how aircraft actually fly, how to properly manage systems, and the basics of navigation and procedures. I’ve heard classics like "Stick and Rudder" mentioned, but I’m not sure if that’s the best starting point or if there are more modern alternatives.

Also, I’d appreciate any advice on where to find reliable learning materials beyond books - maybe good YouTube channels, structured courses, or forums that are particularly helpful for beginners. For DCS specifically, I know about Chuck’s Guides, but I’m curious if there are other resources that explain military systems and procedures in a beginner-friendly way.

Basically, if you were starting over today, what books and resources would you prioritize? Thanks in advance for any tips you can share!

It really depends on your goals. If you want to fly as realistically as possible, guides for real aviation may be your best choice. I have seen many recommendations for https://rodmachado.com/. His books are certainly not bad, but I personally prefer more technical books (he covers most stuff, but it is a lot to read). For procedures and regulations (radio communications, VFR and IFR regulations, airspaces etc.) I found the official FAA documents https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals to be pretty good, and they are free.

For a beginner, I would recommend starting with some Youtube videos. Also, it is a good idea to join a virtual airline (VA). I learned a lot when I was a member of https://canadianxpress.ca/. They have extensive procedural documents and help you if you get lost. A number of other VAs offer similar services, especially if they are flying on Vatsim and/or IVAO, which are ATC networks with human controllers. Daunting at first, but super fun if you get it right. They used to have a list of partner VAs but that appears not to exist anymore.

Peter

 

Years ago there was a book entitled From The Ground Up. Not sure if it is still around but it explains things in a way anyone can understand. I used it back in the 1970s.

On 6/14/2025 at 3:21 PM, SvyatoslavMohov said:

Hi everyone, I’m just getting started with flight simulators (mainly MSFS and DCS) and could really use some guidance. I’m looking for recommendations on good books that explain the fundamentals - things like how aircraft actually fly, how to properly manage systems, and the basics of navigation and procedures. I’ve heard classics like "Stick and Rudder" mentioned, but I’m not sure if that’s the best starting point or if there are more modern alternatives.

Also, I’d appreciate any advice on where to find reliable learning materials beyond books - maybe good YouTube channels, structured courses, or forums that are particularly helpful for beginners. For DCS specifically, I know about Chuck’s Guides, but I’m curious if there are other resources that explain military systems and procedures in a beginner-friendly way.

Basically, if you were starting over today, what books and resources would you prioritize? Thanks in advance for any tips you can share!

If you’re just getting into flight sims, I’d definitely start with Stick and Rudder — it may be old, but it explains the “why” of flying better than most modern books. Then move on to something like The Pilot’s Manual: Ground School for more structure.

For MSFS and DCS, YouTube is gold — FlightChops, Captain Joe, and Grim Reapers make learning fun and practical. You’ll pick up a lot faster when you combine reading with actual in-sim practice.

SvyatoslavMohov. I will be honest and say there is no really encompassing text that covers flight simulation and aviation as a total subject and in the way that works like a lesson book. So break it down into the parts, first there is aviation or the history of flight, then there is aerodynamics, then there is navigation, then air rules and procedures and then off course computers and computerised graphic programs. I have a library of books dealing with all of these collected and curated over a lifetime in aviation as a RW Pilot, Instructor or Teacher. 

So where would one start - I would find a copy of Ernest K Ganns "Fate is the Hunter" it is a book by a pilot about being a pilot and takes you through the early days of air transport in an immensely engaging and thoughtful way. Then there is Saint D' Exupery's " The Sand and the Wind and the Stars". The best book to get a hang of aerodynamics and the more technical aspects of aeronautical engineering is Kermodes "The Mechanics of Flight" a veritable easy to digest encyclopedia of aeroplanes and aerodynamics. It was written a long time ago but holds true and has been updated and revised over the years so it is not out of date. As for Navigation that is a complex issue - Navigation is an art and a science and modern aviators thanks to modern navigational systems do not get the same deep view of the arcane problem of finding your way from A to B either in a plane or a boat.

AS for the why or how its done - the simplest way to think of this is its the Rules of the Road and it is exceedingly complex in the real world but very simpllfied in flight simulation. All the regulatory authorities around the world have very good easy to access learning material about this aspect of flying. 

A copy of the relevant text books (they can be old or no longer current it does not matter for flight sim) of a Commercial Pilots Training Course what cover every aspect of flight, flying you would need to know - they are structured and not that had to work through, there are dozens of these types of books about and on line these days - does not matter which country - learning to fly and pilot and aeroplane is the same all over the world!

As for computers and computer graphics and flight simulation there I cannot help much as it is a very complex and demanding subject of study or knowledge - me I have been on the computer ride since they were first invented and have over the years done a lot of professional courses and study- it is so dynamic and evolving that I know why it does what it does and used to know how but cannot nor wish to keep up with the intricate detail my days of study to that depth are over. history is a more gentle pastime. 

Hope that helps!

I don't know about books but if i remember correctly Mentour Pilot on YouTube do online trainings. I don't know the details tho.
Even if you not intrested in that he probably can point you towards some OG material. + He make rly good commercial aviation content anyway so worth to check out.

I use EaseUS Video Downloader. Most Youtube instructors have their training videos arranged in Youtube playlists. The nice thing about EUVD is that with one click it will download the whole playlist to your hardrive into a folder. With another click you could download another playlist into another folder. And so forth. It takes time to download a playlist of say 25 videos but EUVD is faster on download speed too.

All the above advice is sound, but can and will be a bit overwhelming. To help guide you in more palatable bites, what are you goal/intentions for Flight Simming? Where are you interests in aircraft (modern jet fighters, rotorcraft, smaller general aviation, airliners)?

Also what add on controls do you currently have or intend to purchase? And which version of MSFS are you using?

Knowing these things will allow for a more focused, and paced approach to you learning journey.

And, welcome to AvSim!

For beginners in aviation, highly recommend The Lore of Flight by John W. R. Taylor / Tre Tryckare, first published in 1974, and the most recent revised edition published in 1990 - easy to grasp, well-illustrated, and rather informative

With respect to MS Flight Simulations, Microsoft Flight Simulator X for Pilots: Real World Training by Jeff Van West and Kevin Lane-Cummings is as good as it gets, and while it is written with FSX in mind, the underlying concepts and principles can be easily translated to the latest generation of MSFS; in fact per online discourse, the book still holds significant relevance and remains highly applicable, even to this day!

Happy flights and safe landings!