For a significant segment of the flight simulator user population, the use of a real flight simulator is strictly for entertainment purposes. For them, you "play" a simulator as you would play any other video game. But for active members of the aviation community, the use of flight simulation software is more than just a video game. It is a learning tool. It is a tool to help them learning how to fly, learn to improve or refine their existing skills, to maintain their proficiency as pilots, or to help them take their aviation skills to the next level.
In the early days of computers, flight simulators were rudimentary programs, which at best were able to simulate the basic fundamentals of flight aerodynamics and instrumentation. But as software technology has evolved, so has the technology that drives the development of flight simulation software. Faster microprocessors, more sophisticated graphics cards, the use of USB flight controls that simulate the yoke, instrument panel, and rudder pedals, and the ability to download real-time weather and airport data from the Internet into the simulator database, have all contributed to the evolution of real flight simulator technology, making the experience all the more realistic.
In fact, some flight simulation software programs are so true to life in their depiction of the actual air craft piloting experience that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has even approved the use of certain simulator programs to earn credit toward the pursuit of an actual pilot's license and other advanced pilot ratings. This works to the student pilot's advantage in a number of ways:
In fact, many pilots can attest to the fact that controlling a flight simulator is identical to piloting a real air craft. So, while for some people, a simulator is just a game, for many others, it serves as an actual learning tool to help you become a proficient pilot.
In the early days of computers, flight simulators were rudimentary programs, which at best were able to simulate the basic fundamentals of flight aerodynamics and instrumentation. But as software technology has evolved, so has the technology that drives the development of flight simulation software. Faster microprocessors, more sophisticated graphics cards, the use of USB flight controls that simulate the yoke, instrument panel, and rudder pedals, and the ability to download real-time weather and airport data from the Internet into the simulator database, have all contributed to the evolution of real flight simulator technology, making the experience all the more realistic.
In fact, some flight simulation software programs are so true to life in their depiction of the actual air craft piloting experience that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has even approved the use of certain simulator programs to earn credit toward the pursuit of an actual pilot's license and other advanced pilot ratings. This works to the student pilot's advantage in a number of ways:
- Practicing flight maneuvers in a simulator is a lot less expensive than actually renting an aircraft to fly. Once you buy the simulator software, it is yours to use over and over again, an unlimited number of times. You don't have to pay for the consumption of fuel. You don't have to pay any aircraft rental fees. If you are going to be using the simulator alone, you don't even need to pay for an instructor to sit alongside you.
- Practicing flight maneuvers in a simulator saves you a considerable amount of time, since you don't have to wait for the weather to cooperate, for an airplane and an instructor to become available, and you don't have to use up time preflighting the air craft. In fact, if you are looking to practice only certain maneuvers, then you can even program a simulator to start your session in mid-flight, rather than by taking off from the ground, thus saving you several minutes. Plus you can always pause, rewind, and replay a flight, for later study and review.
- You can spend more time practicing maneuvers and reviewing certain concepts over and over again in your spare time, above and beyond the time spent in the actual cockpit of a real airplane. If you only fly once or twice a week in a real aircraft, for example, then you can get even more practice and become even more proficient, by practicing with a simulator program during your spare time in between actual flights.
- You never have to worry about getting out of practice due to downtime in between flights due to the weather, due to scheduling conflicts, due to lack of fitness for flight, or due to budgetary constraints, or any other reason that might keep you from being able to actually going flying.
In fact, many pilots can attest to the fact that controlling a flight simulator is identical to piloting a real air craft. So, while for some people, a simulator is just a game, for many others, it serves as an actual learning tool to help you become a proficient pilot.
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