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- #Best flight simulator software for pilot training full
- #Best flight simulator software for pilot training code
- #Best flight simulator software for pilot training Pc
- #Best flight simulator software for pilot training license
#Best flight simulator software for pilot training license
Nowadays the main cost of a Level D simulator is in the license price that needs to be paid to the aircraft manufacturers for use of their data. Robotics and fast processors have made the hardware cost pretty reasonable nowadays, and there have been market disruptors (disclaimer: I used to sell their devices). Yes the hardware is not cheap, but with today's sales prices less than half the price of a Level D simulator.
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The Level D fully justified a high price. Super Fast meaning about 286-type performance, with zero MB memory. 30 years ago, building a Level D simulator was an almost impossible feat of engineering, a brilliant effort to reproduce all failures modes that pilots are trained for handling, running on multiple Super Fast processors in a Unix environment. So whatever software you use (and it can be X-plane or FlightGear) must demonstrate that it matches objective aircraft measurements.īuilding flight simulators used to be akin to black magic. A simulation device used for professional training, does have to demonstrate fidelity: the FAA and EASA want you to objectively prove how realistic the device is. A computer program sold to the general public does not have to prove to anybody that the model behaves like the real aeroplane, just manage feedback from users.
#Best flight simulator software for pilot training Pc
What's the difference anyway, on a PC we see an out-the-window view, a 6-DoF model of an aeroplane react to our inputs, hear sounds, can see indicators move.walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, must be a duck, right? The distinction between computer games and flight simulators has been blurring in the last decade. It has to be FAA/EASA qualified, where EASA has stricter rules on low level devices. Yes the PC software that OP mentions can be used for professional flight training - if it demonstrates to the authorities that it matches aircraft data, and that is where the distinction lies. Here's a (somewhat older) article detailing the custom software architecture these simulators use. For full-size jets, there are essentially two companies in the world who do this, CAE and L-3 CTS (formerly Thales).
#Best flight simulator software for pilot training full
A single full flight simulator can cost up to $20 Million, so their resources are far better than what enthusiast software program can do. Obviously none of the enthusiast programs can do this.
#Best flight simulator software for pilot training code
In newer systems, if they don't run the hardware, they obtain the original code from the vendors and run it in a software simulator (a process called re-hosting). This ensures the highest levels of fidelity. Things like FMS, display computers, autopilot, and even fly-by-wire computers, are traditionally done with actual flight hardware that are fed with data from the simulator. On top of that, full flight simulators do not simulate much of the hardware. FAA and EASA certified full flight simulators are built with a data package purchased from the airframer, which uses their developmental models coupled with actual flight test data. If your really adventurous you can build a full cockpit sim yourself.Ĭomputer games try to model the aircraft based on generalized aerodynamic and physical principles and at best "feel". SIMCOM uses actual aircraft interiors (most likely from defunct airframes) for their sims. As the OEM builder they have access to genuine interior parts to build the sims.įor smaller aircraft places like SIMCOM offer training in full motion sims but do not list their software of choice. I would think they built the software in-house but I don't have any hard evidence on that. Both Boeing and Airbus run facilities with full motion simulators. Many airlines may turn back to the manufacturer for recurrent training.
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It was certified and had no screen, I would say it was "custom built" FWIW. The flight school I trained at had a certified sim from the 80's that was pretty miserable by todays standards. You can find more info on the FAA's approved simulators here and here. However X-Plane also has an FAA certified version that if paired with proper controls is legal for certain training/instructional hours. X-Plane offers a "Professional Level" which is mostly about licensing.