Flight simulator comes in a wide range of sophistication, it is availbale in forms meant for personal computers at home. Then there are the highly sophisticated ones used in cockpit replica placed on a hydraulic actuator, everything controlled by hi-tech computer technology. In the aviation industry there are varied uses of flight sinulator, not only for training pilots and flight crew but it is also used in the research, design and development areas. Engineering flight simulators are used by aerospace manufcaturers to develop aircraft hardware, software, systems and for testing all these.
The most important use of flight simulators is for training the pilots. The begineers starts with the Part Task Trainers (PPT) covering a few aircraft systems. The Cockpit Procesures Trainers (CPT) is used for practice drills and checks. And the advanced training with flight simulators makes the pilot go through the experience of three linear movements and three rotations.
The advanced Full Flight Simulators (FFS) are fitted with motion platforms which has the ability to move in all six degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF), it is also fitted with visual systems for real-like outside view. These are high end stimulators with control loading system. It provides the trainee pilots the experience of real-like forces resulting in efficient training.
If not for the flight simulators it would not have been possible to provide the trainee pilot the practical experience of not only the normal operating procedures but also the critical emergency operating procedures during engine failure and system malfunction like electrics, hydraulics, pressurization, flight instruments etc.
The coming of the flight simulator software became the harbinger for computer game programs. There was one thing common here, they all strived for realism to provide a real-like experience for its users. The result was so good that some went on to be used for flight training while others for leisure fun engagement. The best flight simulators provide real-like experience of flying in different types of airplanes, in different weather conditions and landscapes, also different airports based on real ones.
Home entertainment too went for a drastic change after the introduction of advanced flight simulators along with the gadgets or gears to go along with it, all providing a simulation of the real thing. Today you can have your mini cockpit set up at home and pursue your flying passion without the risk and cost.
The one flight simulator which has received raved reviews and which is recommended even by experienced players here is ProFlightSimulator, which comes with over 120+ aircrafts and 20,000 airports. It’ll take you quite some time and training to fly all those airplanes and land at all those airports, don’t you think?
To become a commercial airline pilot one has to undergo special intensive training unlike any other driving training except for maybe that of an astronaut. Pilots has to go through rigorous learning and practical session phases before they are finally given the go ahead to take a ton weighing expensive aircraft into the sky. Flying schools employ a number of carefully prepared steps and techniques to train potential pilots.
f challenging environments, harsh weather, night flying, and even to the extent of taking care of seasonal issues and the different world time zones.