Recently a reader wrote to complain a bit and question why we’ve begun to stress simulators so much in the magazine. That’s a valid question. When I took over the helm of IFR about 12 years ago, rarely did we run an article that discussed using a sim. Now, it seems, few issues slip by without at least one mention of using a sim and frequently these Remarks are about simulation.
The reason, simply put, is technology. When I started flying, one almost never encountered a flight simulator. I remember one community college I visited had a small Linc trainer off in the corner of its pilot-training department, but it rarely saw use. It was difficult to get into and it reminded most of us of a coin-operated kiddy ride you’d see outside a grocery store. Nonetheless, if given some effort, it provided useful instruction.
