Open Domain Flight Simulators

FlightGear is a completely open-source and multi-platform flight simulator. X-Plane by Laminar Research is an open, customizable and multi-platform flight simulator. Also check out the X-Plane community. Then there is VATSIM – Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network – a unique website aimed at pilot and air traffic controller training. Someone on Google’s dev team obviously had a lot of free time… and probably worked for a flight simulation company earlier. Easter eggs don’t get any better than this. Update 2015-03-29: Big Fat Simulations offers a range of interesting Air Traffic Controller Simulations.

Flight Tracking Online

Here are some websites for flight tracking:

• FlightStats.com – Flight status, delays and airport information
• FlightAware.com – Live flight tracking
• StarAlliance Screensaver – Real or accelerated time plotting of 17 major international plus more regional carriers
• SpottersRadar.com – Real-time virtual aviation radar
• KuwaitStorm.com – Kuwait’s weather and aviation site

On another (audible) note, LiveATC.net features live streaming audio of many North American airports. They even have a Top 30 list!

UPDATE: [2013-03-27] FlightRadar24.com is the ultimate mash-up of ADS-B and Google Maps.