Deciding that you want to become a pilot is an exciting move. Flight training in itself can be spectacularly exhilarating when you are ready to do all you have to in order to learn to fly. One thing often used in these schools is a flight training device. Here is a look at some of the most typical questions and curiosities regarding these devices and the answers you should know as a prospective student.
What is a flight training device?
A flight training device is typically a flight simulator of some sort. These units are designed to give students the look and feel of being in flight without them actually having to be in an airplane in flight. Most often, the flight training device is set up with controls and seating much like a plane. The front window — and side windows, if equipped — are actually screens that provide realistic imagery of natural surroundings a pilot would see while operating a flying vehicle. For example, you may see a runway before you when taking off or clouds around you once the virtual plane is airborne.
Are flight training devices an effective training tool?
These flight training devices really can be highly effective for most students. Modern technology has allowed these simulators to be highly realistic, which gives a student a really realistic feel when they are in training sessions with the device. These units can help students experience things like the following:
- How to adjust the altitude of a plane
- How to divert from a flight path during a storm
- How to properly and timely deploy landing gear
- How to effectively communicate flights plans to ground control
These things can be taught in an actual plane, of course. However, it is much safer for students to have these test runs because small mistakes do not have to be life-threatening or dangerous situations for the student or the instructor, even though they may feel like they are.
Do all schools use flight training devices?
Most modern flight training schools do use these training devices in their curriculum plans and training exercises for student pilots. It is logical for these training units to be implemented and do take a lot of stress out of training students who have no actual flying experience. Most schools use a combination of classroom training, flight training devices, and actual flight training with an instructor in a real plane.
