| The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approves | | | | Considering all of the evolution in computer software |
| the usage of real flight simulator software programs | | | | technology that we have available at our disposal in |
| as part of each pilot's instruction curriculum. Simulators | | | | this day and age, in the 21st century, one of the |
| may possibly be used whether or not you're earning | | | | most essential tools that every pilot, irregardless of |
| your pilot's license, you need to preserve currency, | | | | whether he or she happens to be a beginner pilot or |
| you need to satisfy proficiency standards, or | | | | an experienced pilot, must have available to him or |
| whether or not you're seeking to acquire further | | | | her, is a trustworthy flight simulation program. |
| sophisticated airline flight ratings. | | | | A flight simulation program can help to bridge the gap |
| Not all airline flight simulators are accepted yet in | | | | during those inevitable periods of indefinite downtime |
| order to be accepted for usage by the FAA, they | | | | between flights. |
| would need to satisfy a set of established standards | | | | It can also allow you to brush up on your skills, help |
| and criteria. Approval for usage by the FAA generally | | | | you maintain your proficiency, and can even allow |
| means how the time you devote for the simulation | | | | you to get some additional practice in those areas in |
| could be logged as credit toward what ever score or | | | | which you could see some improvement. |
| proficiency examine you're seeking to pass. | | | | Flight simulation software can help you become a |
| Keep in mind, yet, that just given that a distinct | | | | better pilot. |
| airline flight simulation system isn't officially endorsed | | | | They can also help you to save money, as well as |
| by the FAA, it does not necessarily mean that that | | | | time, on extra training or unnecessarily having to |
| certain simulation cannot be used for training in any | | | | repeat flying the same practice maneuvers over and |
| way. By all means, you may and you're in fact | | | | over again. |
| encouraged, to use any real flight simulator that you | | | | The good news is that, flight simulation software |
| may get your hands on. The only caveat is how the | | | | technology is so advanced, that aviating a simulator is |
| time you devote practicing with that distinct | | | | practically every bit as realistic as aviating the real |
| simulation will not officially count toward your required | | | | thing. The instrument panel is identical. The control |
| hours of training. | | | | inputs are the same. The "map" programmed into the |
| Take the Instrument Rating, for example. You're | | | | simulation is based on real world cartographic data. |
| permitted to count up to a maximum of 15 hours of | | | | The way the aircraft performs to various internal |
| dual instruction on an accepted simulation toward | | | | (weight and balance, fuel, aircraft performance) and |
| your minimum training specifications. But that does | | | | external (weather phenomena, air temperature) |
| not preclude the fact that you could just as well | | | | forces is intended to mimic real world scenarios. |
| devote an additional 30 or 50 hours training on any | | | | For a lot of people, a flight simulation program is |
| other home-computer based simulation on your very | | | | nothing more than a very high-tech video game. And |
| own time. | | | | in many respects, it can be enjoyed at that level. |
| By all means, the much more time you devote to | | | | After all, you'll never have to worry about crashing |
| honing your skills, the further proficient you will | | | | the airplane in a simulator! |
| become like a pilot. The FAA does not bemoan this | | | | But for many others, a flight simulation program is a |
| fact. On the contrary, you're encouraged to perform | | | | robust learning tool, and for numerous professional |
| so. | | | | pilots, it is fundamental pillar of their aviation career. |