Healthy Obsession: What Flight Sim Has Done for Me

Relationship with the virtual aviation world, particularly ‘Microsoft Flight Simulator,’ spans many years.

Peter James

Wednesday, April 03, 2024 at 09:08 AM ET

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FLYING contributor Peter James became with PC flight simulators at an early age. [Courtesy: Peter James]

Key Takeaways:

Flight simulators, particularly Microsoft Flight Simulator, ignited the author's passion for aviation and served as an indispensable tool throughout his entire piloting career, from basic training to obtaining advanced aircraft type ratings.
The realistic simulation of aircraft systems and flight scenarios allowed the author to efficiently master complex procedures, such as the FMS, often enabling him to bypass portions of real-world training.
Beyond formal training, simulators are crucial for developing critical situational awareness, practicing diverse unexpected emergency scenarios, and familiarizing pilots with new airports and procedures, thereby maintaining sharp "big picture" thinking skills.

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In 1981 when the first Microsoft Flight Simulator was born, I was a young teenager—the spirit of adventure and realism of flight hit me like a storm. Suddenly, my intense model railroad hobby, complete with a huge basement layout, took a back seat. This technical marvel, hosted on this heavy, metal box of a newfangled PC, captured my heart and imagination forever. I wonder if my parents were grateful for this weekend “babysitter” as my dad hauled his computer home from his office for me to play with on Friday nights. It certainly kept me home and out of trouble, with no mischief or calls from the local police late at night.

I was obsessed. Once college approached, I knew I was going to become an airline pilot, and I wouldn’t stop until I was an old man flying a Boeing 747. I was originally going to go to college to become a TV meteorologist, but failing grades in math kept that dream far away. I found it much easier to get into a state college with an aviation program, so off I went to one in New England to become a pilot.