pilots, are there any software you use on computer to enhance your skills?

Question

engineers like architects use softwares like 3D max and stuff.. are there software pilots use to test their skills even in navigations

Answer 1

Not whatsoever -

Computer game "simulators" are games, and not training items -



If they were of any value, the airline training departments would used them -

Rather than million dollar "level D" simulators they have to use -



We indeed have a classroom with 16 PC for use in computer based training -

But these are computer based training for i.e. INS or FMS (FMC) programs -



I am a believer in simulators... "real simulators" - not $50.oo games -

When I checked-out as 747 captain I had NEVER flown a 747 ever in my life -

I just received simulator training - was 1987 era -

My first flight was with 250-300 passengers and a check captain in RH seat -



Edit @ Phillip -



You mentioned what computer based training devices are approved by the FAA -

That is different from a 747 game such as Microsoft FSX games at $50.oo ...



All the "future A380 captains" age 14 think they can learn to fly with FSX -

They start with a... 747 or 767... but do not know what indicated airspeed is -



It is not a fight, you Navy vs. me Air Force nor our generations -

After all you are product of training from your seniors as well -

As l was myself - my IPs in KC-135 were ex KC-97 pilots -



My first airline captains were DC-6 guys... I had more jet hours than them -



Philip, there are a few things owed to my age, now 6 months away from 70 -

I believe in taildragger training for civilian kids - i.e. Aeronca Champion -

And I believe in flight engineers as third cockpit crewmember for airliners -



I used to contribute to Pprune.org -

I did not get criticized "thumbs down style" there that I am with kids here -

Try to defend the FSX yourself in a Pprune forum...

.

Answer 2

There is simply so much to choose from, there are at least 10 important advances in the 10 most important categories themselves. Where do we start? I would say the number one advance in aviation history would be Duralumin, the first common form of Aluminum for aircraft. There really is no other advance that comes close to being as important. Its still as important today as it was in WW2, and I cannot think of a single other advance that has been so important for so long, or had such wide usage. Almost every aircraft built from 1935 until the present day has some Duralumin, usually under the 2000 series name. The only other material that has ever been anywhere nearly as common is the half strength 6061 aluminum, but Duralumin is still used for the toughest aluminum parts. There simply is no other advance that is so vital to the history of modern aviation. The next most important advance would have to be guidance and instruments. They are the only advance besides Duralumin that is absolutely vital to safe flight. The artificial horizon of the attitude indicator is probably the most important innovation in guidance ever. It is easily even more important than even GPS, since it cannot be replaced and there are alternatives to every other piece of avionics, but none for the attitude indicator. The introduction of 100 octane fuel definitely improved engine reliability by such a large margin that there is absolutely no other engine related advance that compares to it. There is not a single other component related to engines which increased safely by so much. 100 octane fuel allowed air cooled engines to operate without the fear of overheating and wearing down prematurely. Before 100 octane, aircraft engines were absolutely unpredictable. Air cooled engines were fouled easily because they had to run extremely rich to avoid preignition from hot spots caused by uneven cooling by the air. 100 octane allowed engines to be operated at higher heat and would cool significantly better than the autogas which had been used before it. 100 octane increased engine reliability from under 100 hours before overhaul, to 1500+ hours, and in some cases 2500+ hours. Although jet engines surpassed 100 octane powered engines for reliability, there was not one component or advance that made that possible. It took several dozen improvements in oil, fuel, metallurgy, and fluid dynamics in order to match the reliability of the air cooled 100 octane engines. Performance wise, the most influential part of an engine would have to be the sodium cooled poppet valves, which were a massive improvement over the sleeve valve. Just about every high powered aircraft engine ever made had these valves. When it comes to safety unrelated to reliability, the tricycle landing gear may be the most important, it reduced landing related accident by at least 10 times. I cannot think of any change in airframe design that had even close to the impact on safety. It effects almost every aircraft produced in the last 60 years, and of all types. Pressurization is definitely up there on the list, planes would be a fraction as efficient as they are if they could not fly as high as they do. The introduction of the axial flow turbojet is definitely a turning point in aircraft power, but it took many other inventions to make it reliable.

Answer 3

Skipper and I will never see eye to eye on this, he's a very accomplished pilot, but I believe he's behind the "power curve" on this one. I didn't give you the thumbs down buddy.



Yes, I do believe there are software and hardware combinations you can use to practice certain skills. The FAA certifies BATD and AATD equipment that run on simulators like X-Plane to maintain currency levels and log actual simulated time.



Older generations of pilots typically revile the use of desktop software for training, but I think that just comes with their own personal experiences and the type of training they received when they were younger. Everyone likes to promote what they know.



The heart of the answer is that the FAA regulations allow for setups that cost as little as $5,000 to be used for official training, and because the FAA allows this, its my belief that there is definitely a place for software training devices to keep pilots sharp.



Edit:



Skipper,



I don't think the two of us are all that different (experience aside), and for the most part I agree with everything you've said, I just don't think that desktop software is completely useless. I know lots of people don't share my opinion, but I also think that sometimes people place to much value in official training. Prior to my official flight training, I was able to safely land a C172 on my own, sitting alongside a competent instructor, the very first time I ever flew one, and part of the reason I believe I did so well was that I practiced beforehand in a desktop flight sim. Does that mean that FSX made me competent enough to safely take a 172 out for a solo, obviously not, but I also believe that I was able to utilize FSX as a tool to supplement my training. Fast forward to my career now, and no, I do not think that any desktop flight sim is going to give me the stick skills to put my jet in the groove, but there's no reason I still couldn't use something like X-Plane to brush up on things like VOR holding entry procedures, etc.



"After all you are product of training from your seniors as well" --well said.

Answer 4

Desktop simulators will never be a great training aid, how ever there are add ons for FSX like the PMDG line and the Majestic Dash 8 that are of high quality that can give you a taste of the systems and instrument training, but an FAA approved training aid no.

Answer 5

Yes. There is good radio (ATC) communications software. That is one area where student pilots and private pilots need a lot of training and practice.

Answer 6

Do computer simulators tell you:How to decode a taf or metar? How to calculate the cloud base from surface temp and dew point temp?How to calculate the climb gradient when you know the rate of climb and true airspeed? or Even how to distingish/calculate between IAS, RAS/CAS,EAS,TAS taking into account position,instrument,compressibilty and density errors?How to calculate turn radius and angle of bank required for a constant rate 1,2,3.......turn.How to calculate latitude nut wander or earth rotation wander?How to calculate maximum traffic load?How to calculate the CofG and ensure it stays within it's parameters?How to calculate the range of NDB or VOR?What can and can't be done in different categories of airspace and seperation(if any) provided.The "rain ice triangle"?Mean tropopause altitudes?Jetstream Characteristics?Maximum time permitted to file a flight plan IFR or VFR before off blocks time?......................NO!



There is a reason why it takes lots of study and hard work to become a "proper" pilot.Computer games are just that "games".

Answer 7

no, you want to improve your skills you get some flight time

Answer 8

None.