Flight simulation is essentially used in pilot schools and in aircraft design. It can also be used as a learning tool for aerospace engineering students. Flight simulations of general aircrafts can be integrated into courses such as flight mechanics, introduction to aerodynamics and aircraft design. Setting up and solving the system of equations of motion are at the heart of the flight simulation. The algorithm and calculation module of the flight simulation program is described in this paper. Aircraft, environment and control data are used as inputs of the simulation model. Aerodynamic, gravitational, engine and landing gear force and moment models of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk are established. Flight modes such as level flight, climb, descent, turn, takeoff and landing are simulated. The terrain, the sky, the coordinates and orientation of the aircraft in the Earth-fixed frame are simulated in a graphical simulation. The aircraft’s orientation is also transferred into the Stewart platform simulation.