Monday, October 29, 2012

What To Look Into If You Need The Best Flight Simulator For Learning To Fly

By John Mosley


Since the FAA put standards in place for PC-based flight simulators used by students taking flying lessons, there has been a growing demand for high quality flight simulators. However, it can be tough to find the best flight simulator for your needs since there are so many different simulators to choose from. There are basically three things which you need to think about as you start the process of choosing a simulator and reading flight simulator reviews.

Educational Value

Flight sim software can help student pilots by reinforcing what they may have already learned during prior lessons. Many instructors actively support the use of at home flight simulators as teaching tools for students. They recognize the importance of the additional training that a quality flight simulator program can offer their trainees.

Flight simulators are beneficial when practicing basic flight techniques. Takeoffs, landings, and techniques such as maintaining altitude, heading, and airspeed can all be improved using a flight simulator. Flight simulator programs have become advanced over recent and can provide an enjoyable method of learning how to fly right from the comfort of your own home.

Features

It's important to research and learn about the many features included in flight simulator software before purchasing. If learning to actually flight an aircraft is desired, then arcade-type software isn't the best choice. Realism undeniably creates an enhanced experience while learning to fly on a simulator. High-end simulation software offers realistic aircraft, scenery and controls. 3D views of the exterior and interior of planes greatly improves the flight simulator experience. If the view from the cockpit is 3D, it will appear just like it would from the windows of a real cockpit.

Aircraft Variety

Whether you're using a simulator for your own entertainment or for supplementary flight training, the best flight simulator programs will offer a variety of aircraft, airports and maps which can vary your flight experience and keep things interesting. Learning the ins and outs of several different types of aircraft can come in very handy later if you plan to become a pilot. You can find out which simulators have this kind of variety by reading flight simulator reviews beforehand.

Realistic Scenery and Cockpit Controls

The latest generations of high quality flight simulators use scenery which is as realistic as possible, using high definition aerial and satellite photography. What this means to you is that when you fly over a particular city in your simulator, it will appear almost exactly the same as if you were actually flying over it. The sky is similarly realistic, with stars and planets positioned exactly where they would be at the virtual time in your simulator. Another option you may want to look into is being able to change the weather in your simulator. The best flight simulator software allows you to set the weather to clear, rainy or stormy, with the same effects on scenery as you would see in real life.

Realistic pedals are important when choosing flight simulators. When pulling a lever or pressing a pedal, the virtual plane should respond like a real plane, from the lag time to the minor bounce and roll caused by weather and air currents. These things make it challenging to remain on course and are therefore realistically simulated.




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