How does the lift model work?

Lift scales with the square of how far airspeed exceeds a stall threshold, then is applied along the aircraft's own up axis (perpendicular to its nose), the same relationship used by the 3D version's flight model.

What causes a stall in this simulation?

When airspeed drops below about 64 knots while still clear of the ground, lift can no longer support the aircraft and a stall warning appears — recover by lowering the nose and adding throttle.

Does the weather setting change the physics?

Yes — Storm mode lowers air density slightly (reducing lift) and adds continuous vertical turbulence, while Clear mode only has a gentle ambient drift.

Home▸Physics & Mechanics▸Alpine Flight Simulator (2D)

Alpine Flight Simulator (2D)

A side-view light-aircraft flight model — lift, drag, thrust and gravity over procedural mountain terrain — with real pitch, throttle and weather controls.

Physics & Mechanics2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This 2D companion runs the same lift/drag/thrust relationship as the 3D original — lift growing with the square of excess airspeed, drag rising with speed squared, thrust from throttle — but from a plain side-on view over a procedural mountain skyline. Pitch input rotates the aircraft's own axes so lift is applied perpendicular to the nose rather than straight up, throttle and weather are live inputs, and dropping below stall speed clear of the ground triggers the same stall warning the 3D version shows.

⚙ Under the hood

2D side-view flight model with lift, drag, thrust and gravity over procedural mountain terrain; pitch, throttle and weather (clear/storm) are live inputs, with stall and terrain-impact detection.

flight simulationlift and dragaerodynamicsstallterrainthrottle control

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install