| Some people who may benefit from computer-based | | | | value of having virtual experiences to underscore and |
| simulation training include student pilots who have not | | | | emphasize the classroom instruction, and they will use |
| yet obtained their private license. Simulation training can | | | | flight simulators within their classrooms. |
| enhance the reading and "book-learning" that a student | | | | The advantage to flight simulators over "real" flying is |
| pilot received in classes, and will also help the student | | | | that simulators can be programmed to adjust to the |
| review any problematic concepts and skills. While using | | | | needs of individual pilots and learners. This holds true |
| a flight simulator is not the same as having actual in | | | | for both PC based simulators as well as the larger, |
| cockpit experience, it can help a student have a visual | | | | commercial simulators that feature life size, full |
| understanding of the concepts discussed in class. | | | | resolution instruments, cockpit enclosures, and often |
| Certified pilots also find simulator training to be a | | | | have large screen displays. |
| valuable resource. Modern flight simulators are | | | | Most simulators allow the "pilot" to choose between a |
| extremely realistic, and the certified pilot can | | | | variety of equipment options, such as single engine, |
| complement their real world skills with virtual flight time, | | | | twin engine, or simple and complex aircraft. Full trainers, |
| giving them an opportunity to train for unexpected | | | | such as those used in the military, have 360-degree |
| occurrences, learn new navigation skills, and learn new | | | | virtual environments, high-resolution screens and |
| procedures and advanced instrumentation. | | | | realistic controls, as well as lifelike training scenarios. |
| Pilots training for their IFR, or instrument certification | | | | While some of the information in the popularly available |
| often use flight simulators to learn the basics and save | | | | flight simulation programs is about 18 months out of |
| themselves time and money. Some simulator software | | | | date, for most pilots and learners, that isn't an |
| packages are complete IFR procedures courses, and | | | | insurmountable problem. For those who find it is an |
| feature the procedures actually tested by the FAA's | | | | issue, third party companies provide updated aviation |
| standards. Such packages will have simulations of the | | | | charts constantly. |
| world's airports and the surrounding airspace, and will | | | | Legitimate academic studies have shown that flight |
| likely have a "virtual instructor" to explain any errors | | | | simulators do in fact improve pilot performance related |
| and what should be done to fix those errors. | | | | to landing skills and instrument and flight control abilities. |
| Other users likely to utilize flight simulators are aviation | | | | In addition, virtual training does enhance user |
| instructors. Simulators can give instructors great ideas | | | | performance in real life. So flight simulators are not only |
| for use in their ground classes and bring up important | | | | entertaining, but can be extremely useful to pilots in |
| information instructors can use in pre-flight and | | | | training, those interested in trying out being a pilot, and |
| post-flight instruction. Other instructors recognize the | | | | established pilots wanting to enhance their skills. |