Flight simulators have, undoubtedly, become an integral part of every flight school. A top-notch flight simulator can not only prepare students of aviation for real-world challenges but also provide a safe platform for them to experiment and understand how an airplane would behave under different circumstances. This is why simulated flight training is essential for every student. Some flight schools may even offer a trial flight gift certificate along with their first-rate simulation platforms.
Let us first understand the basics of a flight simulator.
What is a flight simulator?
Any device that can effectively mimic real-world settings and make the participant feel like they are sitting inside a real airplane and flying it through various weather conditions. The cutting-edge flight simulators today have the potential to accurately map the physical forces and inclinations a pilot may experience mid-flight to the seat inside the simulation room. Most of these technologies go through rigorous standard checks before they are approved for official flight training.
What are the components that make up a flight simulator?
While most advanced flight simulators have a considerably large share of complex components that interact in different ways with the user and other parts of the system, all of them can be broken down into the following primary functionalities:
-A set of high-end displays to mimic the environment outside the airplane. In more modern applications, these displays are replaced by virtual reality devices like the Oculus Rift to enhance the flight experience. The screen should be able to accurately convey the confluence of the external environment and the cockpit.
-An extensive array of control devices that behave and react in very similar ways as a real aircraft. Yokes, control sticks, and rudder controls are all part of the control devices sections of the simulator.
-A digital architecture that can respond to the way the student interacts with the control systems inside the simulator. This architecture should also be able to reproduce sounds and vibrations that a pilot may experience inside a real cockpit.
How do flight simulators help students?
While this may seem quite obvious, there are many other hidden advantages of simulators that need an explicit elaboration. Some of these are as follows:
-There is nothing as tragic as pilots finding themselves unprepared to handle a particular circumstance while inside a real cockpit. To avoid these situations, a good flight simulator should be able to run through most of the challenges that a pilot might face during flight. The non-existent risk factor is what makes simulations so apt for training.
-Flight simulators almost never require any official permissions or licenses. Anyone can access and try their hand at flying an airplane. It also helps candidates decide if taking up flying as a career is a good way forward for them. Flight schools can invest huge amounts of money to provide their students with the best simulation equipment without worrying about any regulations.
-One of the best ways for beginners to correct their mistakes is to revisit their experiences in the virtual cockpit. A flight simulator has a review and replay system that a candidate can access at all times. This is one of the most vital aspects of a good simulator.