X-Plane 12 Motion Sickness: Why It Happens & What Helps
X-Plane 12 is a flight simulator with a first-person cockpit view and external views. The comfort controls its desktop manual describes are the lateral field of view and the default view, both in the Visuals Settings in the Graphics section of the Settings screen. The manual lists no head movement, camera shake or motion blur option. Checked October 2026.
PC, Mac, Linux · first-person cockpit, with external views · Partial settings · Player-reported motion-sickness risk: commonly reported by motion-sensitive players.
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Risk levels summarise what passengers and riders commonly report, not measured testing.
Key facts
- X-Plane 12 runs on PC, Mac, Linux.
- The camera is first-person cockpit, with external views.
- Player reports place it in the moderate band for motion sickness.
- The game ships some comfort settings, but not a full set.
- 2 specific settings are listed on this page, starting with Lateral field of view.
Before your next session with X-Plane 12: Dizzout runs on your phone: pause, move your headphones over and press play, with relief in about 90 seconds.Starts in your browser · works with any headphones
Calm game nausea. Get your personalized Dizzout plan. Paid subscription for full access.
On your phone? Scan to start there.
Why X-Plane 12 can trigger motion sickness
In a cockpit view the panel stays fixed while the horizon tilts and moves, and the manual describes a field of view setting tied to your monitor. A field of view that does not match the screen changes how fast the scenery sweeps past. The manual also lets you choose the default view, so an external view can be your starting point.
- Cockpit views, where the panel stays fixed while the horizon tilts and moves
- A field of view that does not match your monitor, which the manual covers
- Maneuvers and turbulence that tilt the horizon
Before your next session with X-Plane 12, have Dizzout ready
Calm game nausea
Dizzout runs on your phone: pause, move your headphones over and press play, with relief in about 90 seconds. It plays precisely calibrated audio through any headphones you already own, wired or Bluetooth. Free to download.
Get your personalized Dizzout plan. Paid subscription for full access.
30,000+ travelers in 30+ countries · How we count
On your phone? Scan to start there.
Comparing apps first? See how the motion sickness apps compare
Comfort settings in X-Plane 12
X-Plane 12 ships some comfort settings, but not a full set.
The desktop manual describes no head movement, camera shake, motion blur or horizon lock option, so this page claims none. Field of view and the choice of view are the controls it documents.
| Setting | Where | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Lateral field of view | Settings > Graphics, then Visuals Settings > Field of view | Match it to your monitor. The manual says widescreen monitors will most likely want to keep the default of 80 degrees, and older 4:3 monitors may want 45 degrees. |
| Default view | Settings > Graphics, then Visuals Settings | Choose the view that sits easiest. The manual lists chase, which sets the camera directly behind the aircraft, as a view you can switch to with Shift+8. |
One guide explains these settings for every game: how field of view, motion blur, head bob and camera shake trigger motion sickness.
Know someone who gets motion sick?
Send them the app that helps stop it, drug-free, in about 90 seconds, works with any headphones. Free to download.
What helps beyond the settings
- Set the lateral field of view to suit your monitor before your first flight
- Switch to the chase view for a few minutes if the cockpit view bothers you
- At the first sign of queasiness, stop, look at a fixed point away from the screen and slow your breathing
The fixes people reach for once they step away from the screen are covered separately, with the trials attached: the remedy verdicts.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the field of view setting in X-Plane 12?
Open the Settings screen and go to the Graphics section. The manual says the monitor options are at the bottom of that section, and that you expand the Visuals Settings to adjust the lateral field of view.
What field of view does X-Plane 12 use by default?
The manual says widescreen monitors will most likely want to keep the default setting of 80 degrees. It suggests 45 degrees for older monitors with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Can I fly X-Plane 12 from an external view?
Yes. The manual lists a chase view, Shift+8, that sets the camera directly behind the aircraft, and Visuals Settings lets you set the default view.
Other game motion-sickness guides
Sources & further reading
Your next question, probably
Can you build tolerance?
Graded exposure, honestly assessed, so you can keep playing
Not your question? Is it your screen or your headset?
Based on publicly reported player experiences and each game's documented settings, as of October 2026. Settings menus change with updates, so check your version. Game names are trademarks of their respective owners; Dizzout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Motion-sickness sensitivity varies by person, so this is informational, not a game review or a substitute for a doctor's advice.