Hey I played the X-Wing vs. TieFighter and X-Wing Alliance series years ago when I was a teenager, and I was wondering if any of you would be able to tell or help me to get these games working on windows 8? Looking to get back in the pilot seat.

There's a wiki for that. Requires dumping the contents into the gaming directory, and manipulating the registry. [You must login to view link] Has some files they may prove useful. the .zip file has instructions.
Good luck