Gamification of Training: From Virtual Cockpit to Real-World Flying

Flight simulators like MSFS and X-Plane can be powerful and structured tools for aviation education.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 11:35 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

FlightSimExpo attendees look over Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 at last year's conference. [Credit: FlightSimExpo]

Key Takeaways:

Flight simulators (like Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane) can be valuable tools for aspiring pilots, but only if used with appropriate controls and through "structured playtime" that aligns with their real-world training syllabus.
Effective simulator use involves practicing maneuvers and navigation, which helps learners prepare for practical flying and even understand real-world aviation concepts when virtual and actual experiences differ.
A dedicated learner who treats simulator practice as structured homework, applying lessons learned in real flight, can significantly enhance their progress and confidence in actual aircraft.

See a mistake? Contact us.

There’s a fledgling aviator out there who will likely be getting an aviation video game this holiday season. Your mother asked me, “Would it help if (insert learner’s name) used Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane?”

I answered yes—as long as this Junior Birdman understands the limitations of it and it has cockpit-appropriate controls for what the learner is flying in the real world and—I cannot believe I am writing this—said JB engages in “structured playtime.” This means repeating the flights you have done with your instructor on the sim or attempting the maneuvers as listed in the syllabus you are using.