Simulator Training Helps You Fly Your Ideal Aircraft Better

A chance encounter with a flight simulator convinces the author that he needs to spend more time with it.

Jonathan Welsh

Monday, October 09, 2023 at 06:01 PM ET

Verified

Pilots can get valuable practice on simulators that are available at many airports. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

The author, an experienced pilot, initially avoided flight simulators but was persuaded to try one, discovering its surprising realism and the ability to induce fatigue and minor motion sickness, even without full-motion capabilities.
The simulator presented challenges with sensitive controls and judging digital terrain, and realistically simulated IMC conditions, which highlighted the fatigue and critical importance of instrument scanning techniques.
Ultimately, the author found the simulator time immensely helpful for preparing for instrument training, providing a valuable preview of flying in clouds, and now highly recommends its use.

See a mistake? Contact us.

I finally flew on a simulator last week after years of making excuses to avoid doing so. I always figured I spent enough time flying in the real world and did not need to buzz around virtual airports in my spare time.

I was wrong. While visiting a fellow pilot in Michigan, he mentioned having a simulator available at his airport. After finding out that I had no sim experience, he essentially insisted that I give it a try.