Flight Simulators

The processing power of the modern personal computer has vastly improved over the last few years. This has enabled the computer to become a powerful training tool for a number of technically challenging professions. Thus, the era of the modern PC flight simulators is now upon us. There are more individuals now than ever before aiming to acquire a pilot's licence, and although real-time flying experience is absolutely necessary, flight simulators can offer a number of ancillary benefits that can be put to use during the training process. Let us have a brief look at some of the more prominent simulators and the advantages that they provide.

Microsoft Flight

These flight simulators boast a few notable features that a trainee can put to use. Microsoft flight a pilot can fly and land at nearly every airport in the world utilising real-world GPS data, therefore offering the pilot valuable experience landing on a number of different environments and regional conditions. Furthermore, this simulator offers a tremendous number of planes to choose from. Single-engine machines to intercontinental transports are all fully supported by this platform.

Microsoft FSX

This simulator represents an amalgamation of over 25 years of flight technology. Their dynamic "living world" concept not only incorporates lifelike graphics into the interior and exterior environment, but it also simulates other air traffic, vehicles upon the runways and provides the trainee with different missions designed to hone a pilot's skills. Such an interactive game can help mimic the changeable flight scenarios that are common in the real world.

X-Plane

This platform may very well be the world's most advanced flight simulator and is the choice for many professional pilots and trainees. This simulator helps improve stick-and-rudder skills, practice navigation techniques and helps hone proficiency when shooting approaches with high crosswinds. It also provides scenarios to deal with a host of system failures and other emergency situations that would be extremely dangerous otherwise. Boasting ultra-modern graphics and a choice of planes, it is easy to see why this system is popular with the aviation industry.

AEROFLY FS

One of the most notable characteristics of Aerofly FS is that it presents an unsurpassed realism in the exterior environment. Switzerland is graphically mapped down to a resolution of 3 feet, therefore providing what can be arguably called the most realistic atmosphere available. If we then combine this with the synergy of integrated instrument displays, realistic airplane handling and a choice of various weather conditions, Aerofly can provide a flight experience that is as close as it comes to physically flying the aircraft.

So, it can be easily seen that the modern flight simulators can be a valuable asset for those wishing to secure a pilot's licence. This technology can aid the individual develop an innate understanding of instrumentation and handling capabilities while helping to minimise the number of real world flying hours required to gain a licence. As computing power and technology continues to increase, it can be expected that these and other flight simulators will only become more prevalent in the aviation industry.