FSIM Pilots versus the real thing

[ual902]

So if you Master in FSIM, do you think in amergency situation such as  911  would you be able to take over a real 767 and land it properly?.

I am sure this question has come up many time before.

[a1]

[quote]So if you Master in FSIM, do you think in amergency situation such as

[an-225]

Sure, it helps. I think real life is even easier - I, a thirteen year old, have flown a Cessna 152, and I was actually able to stop my VS indicator from going above zero at all times, unlike the simulator. My first time ever flying one. Now..an airliner, is different, to an extent. It will handle like the real thing in flight simulator (Level D Simulation 767 for example) yet you have to overcome various things, such as G force and turbulence, distracting you from flying.

[FlightSimKid]

And also, if you crash you cant press Esc + Restart Flight

[Brett_Henderson]

There are many aspects to desktop simming that translate well to real flying.. even the FAA agrees with that.

Could you get a 767 on the ground with nothing but sim experience under your belt ?  Probably not..  But when it came to getting talked down over the radio...  things like airpseed/altitude/rate-of-descent.. and lining up with a runway wouldn't be completely foreign to you... so it couldn't hurt (unless of course it was artificial confidence.. lol  )

[DonAlfonsoRoKil]

Yes it sure helps you much if you have been flying FS for years, but you'd really have to learn much more for a 7-whatever-7 or an Airbus.
Just think of ATC, is ATC just a bit realistic in FS?! -No.
Small machines like Piper Chirokee or a Cessna are not that problem.

I, a thirteen year old, have flown a Cessna 152

- 13???????  :o ?

[wolfipilot]

Hey guys -

great question.

Has one ever tried those commercial simulators? I tried once for a B737-500 - believe me, it works. However, I had a.) a private pilot license and b.) quite a lot of sim-flying hours on a B737-700.

For what my experience is: flying a Boeing or an Airbus or what so ever bigger plane is not so much about "real" flying, it is more about the knowledge how to work with all the computers on board and to process the information you get. So the relevant question to me at first is: how realisitc is the virtual cockpit by means of how realistic is the cockpit-computer to be programmed.

Actually, as an example, the default GPS system is bullshit 'cause it simply doens't exist that way in a commercial jet. The pilot has to have a deep knowledge about the FMC for example. Next is the higly compex system of balancing, since there are different fuel tanks etc. ... So doing a full flight from scratch on, preparing, fyling, landing simply it's impossible.

On the other side that means also: in an emergency situation it should be possible to keep the aircraft in the air first of all because the experienced sim-flyer knows the meaning of the relevant cockpit information displayed by the PFD as well as the functionality of the autopilot. This helps to survice a couple of minutes.

In that first minute time you should have a chance to bring your transponder to 7777, signalizing an emergency, afterwards trying to connect to ATC. Those guys should be able to instruct you with most needed information: where are you, what to do, keep the airspace around you free of any other plane.

Than, under very best conditions, having vectors-to-final, a free airfield, a fantastic long runway, excellent weather, a sim-flyer's co-pilot to assist you - it could be possible to bring the bird down. Because real flying starts only at about 350 AGL.

Cheers
WP

[JBaymore]

Wolfpilot makes some good pioints.

[Brett_Henderson]

I always thought a "crash the plane and your hdd gets formatted" was a good one...

[Wii]

I think you MIGHT (MIIIGHT) have a chance at landing the plane. (say all the pilots pasted away 5,000ft from landing) sure you would be able to "land" the plane, but in flight sim, you don't feel the BANG when you hit the runway or you might make a mistake on landing. Not likely but, you might be able to, depends on how well you know your cockpit.  8-) Fortunately, nowadays, the likelyhood of a flightsimr being the ONLY one on a plane that MIGHT be able to land it with NO copilot or engineer, is extremely unlikely

[JBaymore]

[quote]Now... In the spirit of attention to detail...

[vololiberista]

The answer is "No!"
This may seem rather harsh, but only a real pilot has the training in RT, cockpit drills, emergency procedure (V Important), navigation, weather  etc etc.

How many of you can programme the INS for example. The big boys still use and only use GPS as a cross check!!!!!!!

How many of you can declare a full emergency in the proper manner. or can recover from an inverted spiral dive (assuming the airframe stays together!!)

To be faced with a real sittuation in flying is quite different to using the sim. The sim has no feedback no feel to the controls, visibility in the sim is like trying to fly the a/c by looking out of a porthole.

As far as the FAA accepting elements of FS9 "training"  the CAA emphatically DO NOT!!

The sim is good to get an "idea" of what it's like but it stops there!!!
Vololiberista

[Brett_Henderson]

Nobody (including myself) ever implied that you can learn to fly in a desktop simulator, but it is most certainly a useful training tool... If for no other reason than to expose a potential pilot to the relationships between pitch/power/roll/yaw .. and how that all gets related via the instruments. It isn't by some whim or special favor that desktop simulators can be used for up to 10 of the 40 hours logged toward an instrument rating. That decision took many years to come about with input from many instructors and regulating authorites. It can not only be used toward your training, it can be used for currency, too. The very fact that you're devoid of all sensations except the instruments, reinforces the importance of your scan. All this of course must be done under the supervision of an instrument instructor.

And as far as training goes.. I can tell you for fact that desktop simulation made my instrument training go smoother and more quiclky. Practicing compass turns and holds (how to enter and fly them) in strong winds aloft, for hours, made (and keeps me) a better IFR pilot. Practicing adjusting your scan for partial panel flying is a big thing, too.

If a person thinks that they can learn to fly with a desktop simulator, they'll find out soon enough how wrong they are... but be sure.. there's a lot you CAN learn from desktop simming.. Another example is navigation. FS9/X does a tremendous job at replicating radio navigation. If you're having trouble grasping VOR radial tracking, or NDB navigation (especially with winds aloft), the desktop sim is an invaluable training aid.


And lets not forget cockpit and situational awereness.... GUMPS, pattern-entry, descent profiles, fuel management, altimeter and directional-gyro errors and settings... and on, and on....

Don't sell the sim short