Hi everyone, Sunny here! A question we get a lot at the pilot shop is, “Is it important for a pilot to own a flight simulator?” That’s a great question so in today’s blog post I will be going over a few of the many benefits that come with owning a flight simulator and highlighting some of the most popular simulators available at Banyan Pilot Shop.
A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and the environment in which it flies. There are many different aircraft, geographical locations, airports, pilot ratings, flight and weather scenarios that simulators can be set to replicate. With a variety of flight simulators on the market, a person can select the best one for them based on their specific needs and preferences. Some simulators even offer FAA-approved flight hours which allow pilots to legally log flight time per FAA regulations.
For student pilots or even those who are considering becoming a pilot, a flight simulator is a great way to get familiar with aircraft controls, instruments, and flying in general. It’s also a great tool for anyone whose idea of just jumping right into an aircraft’s pilot seat is an overwhelming one. Having some practice time on a flight simulator before an actual flight can prove beneficial in many ways. Flight simulators give people the ability to learn basic skills like taxiing an aircraft, to advanced skills like flying a lazy eight, all while doing so in a safe and controlled environment. And when time and resources are at a minimum, flight simulators are a great way to practice and stay proficient.
One of the most intimidating aspects of flight training is radio communications with Air Traffic Control (ATC) and other aircraft. Even those training at airports with low traffic learns pretty quickly that radio communications can be difficult and even stressful at times. But by using a flight simulator to practice radio communications, student pilots can learn proper phraseology and techniques needed to effectively communicate with ATC and other aircraft with confidence.
Another great benefit of using a flight simulator is that it helps pilots sharpen and improve both VFR (Visual Flight Rules) and IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) navigation skills. Simulators allow people to perform virtual flights to almost any destination in the world. Pilots can now use a simulator to pre-fly an upcoming cross-country trip or practice landings at an unfamiliar airport. This gives pilots added confidence and peace of mind when the time comes to perform the flight in an actual aircraft. And for those wanting IFR practice, you can’t beat the amazing accuracy and detail simulators offer pilots on entering and executing instrument procedures and flights using the simulator’s navigational devices and equipment. As you can see below, flight simulator displays look extremely realistic.
OK, now you know some of the benefits of owning a flight simulator (BTW – If fuel prices have you grounded, flight simulators can fly all day and night without ever needing to pay for Jet A or Avgas ;-) Oh yeah, and they’re really fun!). So…where do you start, how many components do you need, and how much does it cost? The short answer is you’ll need a computer system, yoke, throttle, rudder pedals, and flight simulator software. Not including the computer, a very basic setup will cost around $500.
It may sound cliché, but determining which components are needed to build the perfect flight simulator really depends on each individual’s specific needs and goals. Here at Banyan Pilot Shop, we have a Flight Simulator Room containing four different, fully functional simulators as well as two others installed in a Gulfstream G2 fuselage that anyone can fly anytime. Our expert representatives can match anyone to their ideal system and show them exactly what they need and how to use it.
When you stop by the pilot shop you’ll find that we carry all the top simulator brands including HoneyComb, Redbird, RealSimGear, Flight Velocity, Logitech, Virtual Fly, Turtle Beach PC Pro Flight, Thrustmaster, and many more. For more information on the simulator products we carry, be sure to check out our Flight Sim Room webpage. And if you’re looking specifically for HoneyComb products, you can purchase them online by Clicking Here.
So, what do you think? Is it important for pilots to own their own flight simulator? We certainly think so! If you have any questions be sure to stop by Banyan Pilot Shop, call 954.493.8615, or even comment below. We’d love to hear from you!
