Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pixel Pilot free?
Yes. You can play everything in the browser without an account. The site is supported by discreet advertising on wide screens.
Do I need to install anything?
No. It runs in a modern browser with WebGL 2: recent Chrome, Edge and Safari work, and Firefox should too. A laptop without a dedicated graphics card is enough.
Can I play on a phone or tablet?
Not properly yet. The controls are a keyboard, a mouse and a gamepad, so a phone can look around but cannot fly. Use a computer.
What are the controls?
Arrow keys pitch and roll, Q and E turn the rudder, Shift and Ctrl change the throttle, F and V move the flaps, Space brakes, C changes the camera and Esc pauses. You can see and change every key under Controls, and a gamepad works too.
How do I land without crashing?
Line up with the runway, descend at a steady three degrees, keep the speed a little above the stall speed, and ease the nose up just before the wheels touch. Read the guide for each aircraft on the aircraft pages, and practise in the trainer first.
Where does the weather come from?
From MET Norway, an open data service. The sky shows the weather over the place you are flying: clouds, rain, snow, fog, wind and day or night.
Are the aircraft around me real?
No. The aircraft around you are simulated and the Nearby Flights panel says so. Real traffic needs a data source whose terms clearly allow a free site with advertising, and we have not found one yet; the game is ready to show real flights when we do.
Is my progress saved?
Yes, in your browser, on your own device. Clearing your browser data removes it, and Safari clears site data after a week without a visit, so save a progress file from the Achievements panel to keep a copy or move it to another device.
What does Minimize do?
It shrinks the game to a small window while the aircraft keeps flying on autopilot, circling or heading to your mission. The radio keeps playing, and the window alerts you if you need to come back.
Why is there music, and can I turn it off?
The radio plays generated music to help you concentrate. You can pause it, mute it, change station and volume, and switch the engine sound on or off.
Can I use it to practise for a real pilot licence?
No. Pixel Pilot is a game. The flight model is simplified and the data may be out of date, so never use it for training or navigation.
Is there a tutorial?
Yes. The How To Fly page explains the keys and a first flight step by step, and the Tutorials page walks you through a takeoff and climb, a full circuit, a crosswind landing and Auto Land.
What does the Online Now number mean?
It counts the browser tabs that have Pixel Pilot open and checked in during the last five minutes, so it is an estimate of how many people are on the site right now. It does not show who anyone is or where they are, and the code does not store your IP address with it.
How can I support Pixel Pilot?
Support is optional and unlocks nothing. The Support page lists the ways to help: a coffee link where one is available, and a Solana address for crypto donations. Donations are gifts and are not refundable, as the terms explain.
Can I advertise in Pixel Pilot?
Yes. The Advertise page describes the signs at a few major airports in the simulator, starting at 50 USD per month. Write to us from the contact page and we reply by email with the price and dates.