The passion for flying is possibly one of the most widespread on our planet. Since the time of the first inventors, the idea of creating the machine capable of flying has always been present. Already since then, everything related to what today is known as the air sector has seemed somewhat complex and only within the reach of a few lucky people.

However, with the appearance of the first personal computers, the first flight simulators for domestic and recreational use soon came to light, above all. In this article, we will go a step further. We want to explore the idea of flight simulators as another tool in the training of pilots.

What are flight simulators?

Before entering the topic, it is necessary to give a few strokes of what is a flight simulator. We are not talking about a computer game with a joystick connected to a computer, it is something more complex. The flight simulators are identical copies to the cabins of a real size airplane. This can be mounted on a hydraulic and mobile platform, capable of producing a real sensation of flight.

The cockpit has a screen that displays everything that happens around it. We will even see any airport with its respective runways and buildings. A system control program, allows to generate diverse conditions and, even, adverse situations. The fundamental basis of the flight simulators is that they allow to imitate any type of situation without exposing the pilots to a real danger.

However, the sensation is so similar to that of a real flight that pilots can train emergency procedures, experiencing all its particularities. This gives a very valuable experience to the pilots or future pilots.

Network simulators

When talking about aerial simulation, the virtual world must be mentioned. Every day, thousands of virtual pilots, amateurs or professionals, travel daily the same routes that an airplane of passengers of any airline can travel in real life. How can this be possible? Thanks to virtual aviation networks.

These communities, with thousands and thousands of members are constantly growing. They replicate flight taking into account air traffic, weather and with the radar and communication devices that are used in aviation in real life. Many of these users, are professionals in the aviation industry, aeronautics by profession, but there are also many who are amateurs with a common passion, the flight.

Professional Flight Simulators

Today there are several categories of flight simulators used for pilot training. From the simplest systems composed by a simple computer, to the most complex training systems with capacity for movement.

However, all of them fulfill a simple function: to train the crew in normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, before and during the flight, practicing countless situations. For example: failures in electronic systems, power losses and others that cannot be safely performed with an aircraft in real situations.

Full Motion Flight Simulators

A Full Motion flight simulator is nothing more than a flight simulator with movement. It replicates the aspects of a specific aircraft and its environment, including all its basic movements. Thanks to this, the occupants feel a level of realism just as it would happen in a real aircraft. To achieve this, a series of technological aspects are combined that stimulate the visual and vestibular system of the pilots (vertigo). This makes flight simulation an area of intensive knowledge.

Additionally, many simulators are also equipped with functions used by the instructors. These are control stations that are located inside the cockpit. From them, the instructor can create any abnormal or emergency situation in the aircraft or its environment. As for example:

• Fire in the plane’s engines.
• Aircraft malfunction.
• Electronic failures.
• Adverse weather situations: storms, strong winds, low visibility situations, etc.
• Failures in the navigation systems.
• Slippery landing strips.

As we have seen, the mission of flight simulators is essential for the training of pilots, crews and airlines. Their final objective is to save time, money and improve the training of pilots.

We bet for a quality training adapted to the needs of each profile. Therefore, we use the flight simulators of our simulation center not only for the training of private pilots or microlight pilots, but also for cabin crew (flight attendants) and airport technical staff.