Flight Research Center FRC

✈️ Flight Research Center

🛰️ "Beyond the radar. Beyond the rules." 🔍 About the VA

Welcome to the Flight Research Center — a Virtual Airline dedicated to the art of experimental flying, inspired by legendary test programs, black projects, and aircraft that officially never existed.

Operating out of the iconic Groom Lake (KXTA) airfield, this VA simulates the full flight test campaign of the fictional F-19 stealth fighter, along with a range of exotic experimental platforms.

Our missions are realistic, immersive, and structured to follow a true test pilot’s journey—from basic handling checks to supersonic missile launches, stratospheric flights, and stealth strike simulations.

🎯 Our Mission

Simulate a complete flight test campaign for any aircraft you want
Recreate the atmosphere of secretive black programs like Skunk Works, Area 51, and Tonopah Test Range

Fly and evaluate a range of experimental aircraft:

    F-19 (fictional stealth fighter)

    F-104 Starfighter

    LLTV (Lunar Landing Training Vehicle)

    U-2, SR-71, X-planes, and more

Unlock custom achievements through detailed and progressive missions

🛫 Mission Types Type Description 🔬 Basic Test Flights Flight control checks, stability testing, performance validation 💥 Weapon Integration Inert and live weapons delivery tests 🛢️ Aerial Refueling Dry and wet contacts, CG and behavior assessment 🌌 Extreme Flight Envelopes Supersonic, high-G maneuvers, and stratospheric flights 🛰️ Tactical Scenarios Low-observable strike simulation, airspace penetration, mission packages 👨‍🚀 Special Programs LLTV, blind nav, post-stall recovery, astronaut-style test sequences 🏆 Achievements to Unlock

🛸 Phantom Flight: First successful flight in the F-19

🚀 Missile With a Man: Reach Mach 2+ in the F-104 Starfighter

🌌 Edge of Space: Fly above FL700 (70,000 ft)

👨‍🚀 LLTV Certified: Survive a flight in the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle
…and more to discover as your test campaign progresses.

📍 Test Locations

Main base: KXTA – Groom Lake / Area 51

Test ranges:

    R-4808A, Tonopah Test Range, Edwards AFB, China Lake

Tanker operations: Simulated over dedicated refueling corridors

👤 How to Join

No ranks, no fluff. You’re here as a test pilot, pushing machines and yourself to the edge. If you're passionate about experimental aviation and black projects, welcome aboard. 🔧 Recommended Setup

Compatible sims: MSFS, X-Plane, Prepar3D

Aircraft modules like:

    F-19 (fictional or modded)

    F-104 (freeware/payware)

    LLTV mod for X-Plane or custom models

Tools: FsHub Logger, Volanta, Tacview (optional), SimBrief for mission planning