Although I've appreciated the way computer-based flight simulator games have fired the imagination of game-players and even encouraged some of them, like Jorge, to become pilots, I've always been a little suspicious of the value of the less expensive computer-based flight simulators for learning to manipulate the controls of an airplane.
Okay, I'll confess my reluctance to ascribe realistic qualities to the flight simulator games probably comes from my inevitable inability to make a smooth landing and not crash whatever virtual airplane type I'm trying to manipulate on the monitor. For me, the most realistic aspect o the programs is the breaking glass an sound of the impact every time I come close to the ground. Not a real ego booster.
On the other hand, I have been impressed with the usefulness of even the most basic programs to learn, understand and practice instrument procedures. It's been said before, but the cockpit of a small training aircraft is a lousy, learningchallenged classroom. Even if you could eliminate students' apprehensions, which makes it difficult for them to concentrate, and silence the noise that makes conversation-or instruction-difficult, you're still left with the need to constantly be moving and the inability to pause the airplane's forward motion and consider the results of a control input.
Even many of the primitive programs accurately depict the VOR, ILS and ADF instrument indications in relation to the virtual location of the "airplane." Being able to switch between the panel view and an overhead view of the track of the airplane over a map in relation to navaids and airports is particularly useful. Once you've learned the basics of flying holding patterns and procedure turns and are able to scribe consistent ovals on the map it's time to crank in some wind and watch the effect on your track. It's educational and I'll argue that you're going to learn more about holding patterns and procedure turns from half an hour on a basic computer simulator program than from hours in an actual airplane.
I've found the use of a simulator program's "autopilot" feature to make heading changes rather than fooling with virtual and less-than-actual control feels is the best way to learn and practice instrument procedures. Without the need to "fly" the computer, you can concentrate on the instrument indications and practice the procedures for intercepting and flying VOR radials or NDB bearings. Using the heading bug to slew the "airplane" to new headings lets you noodle out the different entry procedures for holding patterns. Switching from the panel view to the overhead map view lets you see exactly how you've done. You can't do that in the airplane.
Most of my experience has been with early versions of computer-based simulators, and the latest iterations, combined with increased computer memory and processing power, are capable of rendering more realistic terrain, more aircraft options and better control feel simulation. As a result, some of the more expensive programs have been granted some credit from the FAA for logging time. Nevertheless, there are still relatively inexpensive programs that have a lot to offer pilots wanting to learn or refresh their instrument procedures.
Recently I got an e-mail from David Gray touting the X-Plane software program. "It beats the pants off ofANY sim out there", he wrote. He insisted he does not work for the company and isn't affiliated with them in any capacity. "Except that I am a satisfied customer."
I knew of the X-Plane program. In fact, I had read about it in Peter Garrison's Technicalities column (June 2001). Peter had been impressed as much by the program's aeronautical design capabilities as its simulation function. At its price, Peter said, the "X-Plane delivers more bang for the buck than any other airplane design tool I have ever seen." High praise.
David Gray wasn't promoting its design strengths but its ability to provide a "realistic" flying experience on a desktop computer.
There's no question the X-Plane program is loaded with features. It lets you "fly" a wide variety of aircraft from-and to--more airports than you knew existed. To give you an idea of its scope, the program lets you choose to fly airships, fighters, general aviation airplanes, gliders, heavy metal, helicopters, Mars planes, mega-planes, radio control, science fiction, seaplanes, VTOL (Bell 609, Carter Copter, Sea Harrier, V22 Osprey), vintage and X-planes. You can even choose global Earth or global Mars terrain and scenery.
I have to confess that I don't have (or want) rudder pedals and a control stick or yoke on my computer. So when I loaded the X-Plane program I was limited to using the mouse for flight controls. The program suggests if you're new to flight sims or find the controls (mouse or joystick) too sensitive you can adjust them through the program. I did. Making the mouse control less sensitive helped a lot, but I was still having trouble controlling the Cessna 172 and the Lancair Columbia Turbo 400 HITS (highway in the sky), neither ofwhich had an autopilot.
I selected the King Air B200, which does have an autopilot, and using the heading bug control I was able to fly procedures. The program has an incredible amount of flexibility from failure modes, weather and selection of airports. I flew a series of ILS approaches to Albany County (NY) Airport's Runway 1 and then decided to see if I could still fly an NDB approach.
I asked the program to place me over the NDB at Columbia County and then, using the heading bug and altitude hold capability of the autopilot, flew the procedure turn and the approach. After a couple of attempts to re-familiarize myself with the approach, I decided it was time to add some weather. I asked for turbulence, thunderstorms and heavy rain. I got it! The sound of the rain sweeping up the windscreen, lightning flashing in the distance and the radar display on the virtual panel that showed where the weather was in relation to the airplane icon and the shifts in heading and altitude from turbulence made for a valuable learning experience-and fun.
[Current information about the XPlane-8 program is available on the website (www.X-Plane.com) where you can download an update/demo package. The update/demo acts as a free update. X-Plane is always obtained by purchasing the CD (from www.aerotraining.com, for example], after which the free demo downloads keep your CD up-to-date.]
Just when I thought I had this whole computer-based simulator experience worked out, I got a call from John Borra, who does some of the cartoon drawings for our stories.
John had just earned his ATP, and while discussing his experience, he mentioned he'd used a flight simulator program to prepare for the practical flight test. "I had not flown for awhile and decided to brush up on a friend's simulator program. He has pretty high quality yoke and rudder pedals so it's reasonably like flying the airplane. I selected a Beech Baron because that's a twin and practiced on the computer. When I went for the training I had no trouble flying the AST 300 simulator to ATP standards. 'I thought you told me you were rusty~' the instructor said. The only thing I can think of is that using the simulator on the computer was the reason. It's very sensitive so you have to really fly it carefully to keep from busting altitudes. When I first got on it I was hardly able to keep it straight and level but I relaxed and babied the yoke and rudder pedals. '~What it really did was help me get my scan back, and that was helpfid so the fact that it was overly sensitive was of material benefit, " he said.
Okay, so the desktop simulators are good for learning IFR procedures. And if you know the procedures, they can help you develop and practice your scan.
-Tom Benenson, Flying Magazine, June 2004