Simulators: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Truth of Flight Training
At the professional level, there are maneuvers and emergencies you just can’t practice in a real aircraft. Simulators make the impossible—possible. But are they always worth the hype in flight school? Let’s dig in.
When we talk about simulators in aviation, there are two completely different worlds: The professional, high-dollar world of full-motion sims—and the often oversold, misunderstood training tools at your local flight school. Both have their place. But only one truly mimics reality.
Let’s separate the smoke and mirrors from the substance. Because if you’re going to spend thousands learning to fly, you should know exactly what your money’s buying.
The Good: Full-Motion Simulators at the Pro Level
Picture this:
You’re at altitude in a multi-million-dollar jet, engines roaring, and suddenly—boom—engine failure. The terrain’s not forgiving. There’s no “pause” button. And that’s exactly why we simulate it.
Level C and D full-motion simulators—the kind used by airlines and military—are marvels of engineering. Giant hydraulic actuators, ultra-high-fidelity graphics, dynamic motion queues that mimic turbulence, G-loads, windshear—they replicate the flying experience so accurately that you’re sweating through your flight suit by the time it’s over.
These simulators are mandatory for professional pilots because they allow us to:
• Practice emergencies too dangerous to do in a real aircraft
• Train at high altitudes, gross weight, or degraded performance scenarios
• Stay sharp on rare but critical procedures
These are the real deal.
But they’re not what you’ll find in your local flight school.
The Bad: ATDs and the Oversell
Let’s bring it back to Earth—to the average flight school. Most use what’s called an AATD (Advanced Aviation Training Device). Names like Redbird® or Elite® come to mind.
Here’s the straight talk:
These sims are great for procedural training. Especially during instrument and multi-engine phases, they help you drill buttonology, flow checks, and scan patterns. But for Private Pilot training? Not nearly as valuable as they’re made out to be.
And here’s the part no one likes to say out loud:
No pilot has ever been asked in a job interview, “How much sim time do you have?”
Because—it doesn’t matter.
Sim time isn’t a hiring factor. It isn’t an insurance factor.
Flight time—actual, in-the-air, hours-in-the-logbook flight time—is what counts. That’s the golden number.
Sim Time ≠ Flight Time
Let’s say a job posting requires 1,200 hours minimum.
You trained at a 141 school and proudly show your logbook: “1,200 hours, sir!”
…except 60 of those hours were sim time.
That means you really have 1,140 hours of flight time. You don’t meet the minimum. And guess what? That 1,200-hour number? It’s likely mandated by the company’s insurance provider, not HR. So there’s no wiggle room.
Sim time won’t save you.
Simulators Make Flight Schools $$$
Here’s where the ugly truth comes in:
Simulators are cash cows. And many flight schools love them for that reason.
Why?
• They don’t require fuel, inspections, or annuals.
• They don’t get grounded for weather.
• They rarely break.
• They have huge margins.
You might hear, “Simulators will help you finish faster!”
Maybe. But here’s what’s also true: You’ll still pay for the sim time AND the aircraft time. There’s no escaping the cost. And it doesn’t move the needle on your logbook’s flight time totals.
When a Simulator Does Make Sense
Used strategically, ATDs do have value—especially in instrument and multi-engine training.
Let’s break it down:
• Instrument Rating – Use sims to build procedures: holding patterns, approach setups, intercepts.
• Multi-Engine Rating (under Part 141) – You can count 3 hours of simulator time toward the 10-hour requirement. Great! Use it wisely.
You can practice your engine failure drills:
“Gear up, flaps up, everything full forward. Identify, verify, feather.”
But know this: You are not meant to master multi-engine flying in a simulator. That proficiency only comes from actual time in the plane.
You’d be better off chair flying most of the time—sitting in a quiet room with a checklist and a cockpit diagram. It’s not glamorous, but it’s cheap and wildly effective.
Is chair flying as effective as a simulator? No.
Is it cheaper? Absolutely.
Microsoft Flight Simulator: The Unsung Hero
Believe it or not, even Level D sims have borrowed graphics from Microsoft Flight Simulator. You can literally see snow falling, your tire tracks in the slush, and the pushback truck moving as you sit at the gate.
With a $300 joystick/throttle setup, you can:
• Practice instrument approaches
• Fly SIDs and STARs
• Familiarize yourself with aircraft and airport layouts
No, it’s not FAA-approved.
But for home procedural practice? It’s a game-changer.
And if cash is tight? Even a paper cockpit (aka “paper tiger”) and a stick-on throttle on your desk will help cement flows and muscle memory.
You don’t need to be rich to be a good pilot.
You need to be smart, prepared, and relentless.
What to Look for in a Flight School’s Sim Program
If you’re shopping flight schools, here’s how to tell if their simulator use is student-focused or school-focused:
• Do they use the sim primarily for IFR and multi procedural training?
• Are they charging reasonable rates—or a full aircraft-equivalent?
• Is sim time being used to prepare for a real lesson—not as a substitute for it?
• Are you getting real value… or just billed for rainy-day filler?
A good school won’t treat the simulator like a cash register. They’ll use it like the tool it’s meant to be.
Final Thoughts
Simulators are amazing when used appropriately. They save lives at the airline level and sharpen skills in specific phases of training. But don’t let a glossy pitch from a flight school convince you they’re a substitute for real flight time.
You don’t need to spend your savings chasing sim hours that won’t count toward your career.
You can’t press pause in real life when you’re about to hit the mountainside.
Train smart. Fly often. And when it comes to simulators—use them wisely, not blindly.
Got questions about sim time, flight training strategies, or how to maximize your money as a student pilot? Drop them in the comments below or reach out—we’re always here to help your journey take off.
