Flight simulators have been an important part of flight training for many years now.
The devices only got moderate use during WWI, but after a few instrument related training accidents in the 1930s the U.
S.
Army/ Air Force used nearly 10,000 Link Trainers to train Allied pilots during WWII.
Link Trainers had replica cockpits mounted on pneumatic platforms which could simulate hazardous conditions.
Technology has progressed tremendously since these early days to the point in which the realism of the modern flight simulator is astonishing.
Graphics and software have evolved to the point that it if you were to step into the cockpit at an airport and then a simulator of the same place you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
To further the feeling of realism simulator cockpits are often mounted on a system of hydraulic and/ or pneumatic stilts to recreate the motion involved in real flight.
Companies do not tend to spare any expense in creating the most realistic simulators possible so that their pilots can be trained in the most realistic fashion possible.
Perhaps most important is the way in which simulators are able to give pilots experience in dealing with problems and issues that can arise during flight.
Pilots are able to see what it feels like to lose an engine, deal with extremely strong turbulence, wind shear, and any other problem which instructors want to test their students on.
Modern flight simulators have had a definite impact on flight training.
It has become possible to improve safety and efficiency like never before.
Properly used simulators allow instructors the chance to observe students in inclement situations, how they react under pressure, as well as their ability to problem solve in the air without ever leaving the ground.
The ability to train a pilot in these conditions without actually having to create them makes training much more complete without putting students and teachers in any danger.
As much as modern flight simulators make training safer and more efficient they do have their downside.
It is less expensive for students to gain experience in a simulator rather than in a real plane.
However, time in simulators cannot be logged as official flight time.
With the experience gained in simulators, flight training has become much safer and efficient.
As technology improves the effect on safety and efficiency will get only better.
The devices only got moderate use during WWI, but after a few instrument related training accidents in the 1930s the U.
S.
Army/ Air Force used nearly 10,000 Link Trainers to train Allied pilots during WWII.
Link Trainers had replica cockpits mounted on pneumatic platforms which could simulate hazardous conditions.
Technology has progressed tremendously since these early days to the point in which the realism of the modern flight simulator is astonishing.
Graphics and software have evolved to the point that it if you were to step into the cockpit at an airport and then a simulator of the same place you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.
To further the feeling of realism simulator cockpits are often mounted on a system of hydraulic and/ or pneumatic stilts to recreate the motion involved in real flight.
Companies do not tend to spare any expense in creating the most realistic simulators possible so that their pilots can be trained in the most realistic fashion possible.
Perhaps most important is the way in which simulators are able to give pilots experience in dealing with problems and issues that can arise during flight.
Pilots are able to see what it feels like to lose an engine, deal with extremely strong turbulence, wind shear, and any other problem which instructors want to test their students on.
Modern flight simulators have had a definite impact on flight training.
It has become possible to improve safety and efficiency like never before.
Properly used simulators allow instructors the chance to observe students in inclement situations, how they react under pressure, as well as their ability to problem solve in the air without ever leaving the ground.
The ability to train a pilot in these conditions without actually having to create them makes training much more complete without putting students and teachers in any danger.
As much as modern flight simulators make training safer and more efficient they do have their downside.
It is less expensive for students to gain experience in a simulator rather than in a real plane.
However, time in simulators cannot be logged as official flight time.
With the experience gained in simulators, flight training has become much safer and efficient.
As technology improves the effect on safety and efficiency will get only better.
Source...