Lesson 4 - Simulation and Scenario-based Training

The Art of Flying IFR

What you’ll learn from this lesson:

Doug shares how the use of simulation devices as simple as a PCATD (personal computer) can help train you to be a more proficient and safe pilot. This last lesson provides a good bridge from the best practices shared in the previous lessons to the upcoming course scenario.

FLY WITH ME, THEN FLY IT YOURSELF - Doug shares the benefits of flying the course scenario.
SIMULATION TRAINING DEVICES - a brief summary of aviation training devices.
SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF - as good as they are, simulation devices are not the airplane but so what.
EXERCISE YOUR SCAN - many find simulation devices harder to fly than a real airplane; this is good news.
MICROSOFT FSX | LOCKHEED PREPAR3D | X-PLANE | OTHERS - there are many simulator options from which to choose.
CLOUDAHOY - a partner platform for debriefing and evaluating your sim flights.
PILOTEDGE - virtual ATC from professional controllers.

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

STATUS: NOT FINISHEDFINISHED

Change

SIMULATION OPTIONS

The level of sophistication in flight simulators and training devices available to the general aviation and consumer markets has increased dramatically over the past few years. This has put highly effective training opportunities within reach of countless pilots and aviation enthusiasts.

Hardware - When we refer to a simulator in this course we are talking about underlying software platforms or an 'aviation training device' (ATD). Technically, most of us train on and fly ATD's, not simulators as defined by the FAA.

ATD's can range from a 'basic aircraft training device' (BATD) to an 'advanced aircraft training device' (AATD). The amount of training credit allowed is dependent up an LOA from the FAA.

Personal computers configured as PCATD's do not qualify for formal credit from the FAA but are among the most popular and effective simulation trainers. And it is what Doug uses to fly the course scenario.

Software - The dominant flight simulator software for general aviation is consumer driven. Pilots, aviation enthusiasts and gamers use the same platforms for training and entertainment.

Microsoft Flight Simulator X: popularly known as FSX, was released in 2006. It is the most current but last installment of the Microsoft Flight Simulator series introduced in 1982.

In 2014 Microsoft granted development rights for Flight Simulator to Dovetail Games and they have since released their FSX Steam Edition.

Lockheed Prepar3D: In 2009 Lockheed Martin purchased the intellectual property for Microsoft's commercial version of "Flight Simulator X" and developed their own flight simulator called Prepar3D.

X-Plane: is a flight simulator produced by Laminar Research and is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux. A mobile version is available for Android, iOS, and webOS.

Digital Combat Simulator: is a relatively new flight simulator developed by Eagle Dynamics. Although the platform is limited to combat theater it is supported by the PilotEdge community.

See the Resource section in Lesson 6 'Course Scenario' for more information on these and other simulator products.

DOUG'S PCATD

Type: Personal Computer - 8.00 GB RAM | Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU | 2.67GHz | 64-bit OS

Display: Single 25" monitor. HP 2511x

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 230

Simulator Platform: Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX)

Virtual ATC: PilotEdge

Peripherals: Logitech Exterme 3D Pro Joy Stick | Turtle Beach PX24 MultiPlatform Headset

ForeFlight Data Link: GpsVR - Mindstar Aviation

The S.A.F.E. Pilot Proficiency Project | Society of Aviation and Flight Educators
The EAA Pilot Proficiency Center at AirVenture | Experimental Aircraft Association
"Microsoft Flight Simulator for Pilots: Real World Training" | Jeff Van West and Kevin Lane-Cummings Wiley Publishing - 2007
"Scenario-based Training with X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator" | Bruce Williams Wiley Publishing - 2012
"Proficiency in Pieces 2.5" | Frank Robinson for IFR Magazine - March 2015
"Training Device Types, Use and Credit"| Steve Moore ASI for the Federal Aviation Administration - January 2015
Professional ATC for Flight Simulation | PilotEdge
Flight Debriefing and Evaluation | CloudAhoy
Advanced Avionics for Flight Simulators | Mindstar Aviation
Real World Navigation Data for Flight Simulators | RealNav Data
Game-based Flight Training | TakeFlight Interactive
Flight Simulator Aircraft | A2A Simulations