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Flight-Simulator Enthusiasts Confident of Real-World Skills (wsj.com)
Two anonymous readers share a report: When the ground-services employee who stole a turboprop airliner last week declined air-traffic controllers' piloting advice, saying he had played videogames, it was no surprise to some devotees of intricate home flight-simulation programs [Editor's note: the link may be paywalled; an alternative source wasn't immediately available.]. Such software can mimic many phases of aircraft operations, including takeoffs, as well as how to respond to heavy weather and emergencies, pilots and software makers say. The simulators are also more affordable than pursuing a pilot's license and can help satisfy a lifelong obsession with flying.
Last year, two million units of vehicle-simulation games for PCs and consoles were sold world-wide, the most common being flight simulators, according to the market-research firm NPD Group. Home programs have evolved over more than three decades. They can represent all types of aircraft, from wartime bombers to modern-day passenger airliners. A setup can cost a few dozen dollars for a videogame to thousands for software with intricate renderings of cockpits and real-world environments. A new conference called FlightSimExpo held in Las Vegas in June drew around 1,100 people, its organizers said. FlightSimCon held its sixth annual gathering in Dallas in June, according to its website. Many hobbyists say they don't think of simulators in the same vein as traditional videogames, because they aren't trying to rack up points or compete. They simply focus on flying.
Last year, two million units of vehicle-simulation games for PCs and consoles were sold world-wide, the most common being flight simulators, according to the market-research firm NPD Group. Home programs have evolved over more than three decades. They can represent all types of aircraft, from wartime bombers to modern-day passenger airliners. A setup can cost a few dozen dollars for a videogame to thousands for software with intricate renderings of cockpits and real-world environments. A new conference called FlightSimExpo held in Las Vegas in June drew around 1,100 people, its organizers said. FlightSimCon held its sixth annual gathering in Dallas in June, according to its website. Many hobbyists say they don't think of simulators in the same vein as traditional videogames, because they aren't trying to rack up points or compete. They simply focus on flying.
Not only did he manage to do a few barrels roles, but he really stuck the landing!
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
Of course they are useful to non-pilots for training, real pilots train in simulators, especially for practicing the dangerous or simply procedural things. I learned how to fly various IFR approaches, going though the procedures at home instead of paying for flying hours in real aircraft. Saved me a bundle.
However, they do not train you on what it really looks, sounds and feels like when you fly. There is a lot of information you need when flying that comes from the seat of your pants and though the windscreen that is really hard to simulate at reasonable cost at home. Also, it's really hard to accurately simulate the visuals during approach and landing, especially when you get into the ground effect just before touch down. It's just not the same.
"File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
I'm sure people who jack-off a lot to porn think they'd be pretty good at sex, too.
You are welcome on my lawn.
He is a snapshot of the state of society. For that hour, he was more free than any of us will ever be.
All of this means that skills acquired in a flight sim are supposed to translate to skills in actual aircraft, that is the point.
Except that it doesn't really do that. I hold a pilot license, a PPL. I also have an elaborate FSX setup with pretty much all the gear Saitek sells, including 9 of the little LCD screens. Yes, it's fun to "fly" a 737 in the Alps in the fog. Yes, it's fun to position a fighter jet at 60,000ft and see it tumble until the "air" is dense enough to create some lift.
But nothing on a consumer grade flight sim will provide you with any skill. I once had to land with a pretty decent crosswind in a 172. About 6 months after earning my license. Me and the pregnant misses on board. No FSX will be able to recreate the stress-induced focus that I needed to put that plane down safely. Just me, one hand on the throttle, one hand on the yoke, two feet on the pedals, and the runway in front of me.
The one and only exception to that would be that the sim helped me with my ground school. Ground school you say? Yes: especially navigation. Have your wife, bf, gf or friend position your plane in a random position in the country at 5000ft, and try to determine your position using ADF or VOR/DME. It really helps you understand those navaids.
To me, FSX/X-Plane is just for fun.
I'm not a complete idiot... Some parts are missing.
Hmmmmm...I've done many simulations of sex with stewardesses online. I think I will be good at it too!
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
I'm also a private pilot. Flight simulators these days are remarkably accurate and have the "feel" of flying. I'm not talking about flying a 737 through the Alps in the fog--just basic VFR flying. It is insanely easy to get an airplane off the ground and a flight simulator does a good job of teaching you how to do it.
It's the landing that is tough.
How about a moderation of -1 pedantic.