Pilots: Which is the best home flight sim equipment?

Question

I am not really looking to buy the equipment for the sake of gaming, but the sake of home training. I want to hone skills, and aide in correcting mistakes that I may make in the real cockpit.


I've seen Logitech, and the force feedback sounds great, however they don't sell yokes which I want to buy next month.

Saitek looks good, and CH seems over priced; however, if it is the supreme system, I'll get it.

So with that said, pilots: Who makes the best (most realistic and quality) stick, throttle, rudder set?

Answer 1

I agree that "games" such as Microsoft Flight Sim is of little use to the pilot that has not had Instrument training. I can be of use to practice approaches, holds etc. But ONLY after this skill is already learned.

The BEST simulator is an FAA approved FTD (Flight training device) along with a Instructor.

Frasca and Precision Flight Controls, make two of the best in the industry.

ELITE Simulation Solutions has a great FAA approved Personal Computer Aviation Training Device (PCATD)

If you are serious about REAL Sim training, forget the games like FSX and X-plane and Invest in a real and approved training PCATD or a FTD.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

The type of controls you attach to the computer don't matter much, because they are all different from the controls in a real aircraft. And this really isn't a problem, because becoming used to a different set of controls is trivially easy. The hard part of flying an aircraft is learning exactly what the controls do, both in general and for a specific aircraft, and only way to do that is with a full-motion simulator or the real aircraft. So get controls that you find comfortable and affordable, and be prepared to adapt a bit when you move to a real aircraft (something you'd also have to do when moving from one real aircraft to another).



CH Products makes some nice yokes and throttle quadrants. Saitek also makes some nice flight controls. Force feedback usually isn't a good idea, since it's no closer to a real aircraft than springs. Just get what you want and can afford. Having a CH Products yoke rather than a joystick or Saitek yoke won't make any difference when you fly a real aircraft, since you always have to get used to the controls of a specific aircraft, anyway.



In general, desktop simulators are not that useful for skills that require sensing motion or feedback through the controls, such as coordination of turns (without looking at the instruments) or trim adjustments. They are more suited to things like instrument flight, which can be simulated very well on a desktop simulator. Visual flight is possible, but it's more difficult in a simulator because your visibility is limited (unless you install multiple monitors) and the detail of terrain below is limited as well (although major landmarks are often included in the terrain databases). Nevertheless, pilotage is possible and practical in a sim—but it will be way easier in a real aircraft.



Pilots and instructors who summarily dismiss simulation invariably have some personal axes to grind, as do those who believe that simulation can do anything. The reality is in between.



For certain types of self-study and learning, sims work great (instrument practice, navigation practice, familiarity with systems, etc.). For other types of study, they aren't very useful (aerobatics, some types of visual flight, flying "by the seat of the pants").



A simulator can be very useful for practicing and carrying out instrument procedures. You don't need motion or a panoramic view out of the cockpit for that. It can be useful for practicing real-world flights in advance, just to get a feel for what a specific flight will require. It can be useful for practicing checklists and getting familiar with generic procedures and techniques for flying. For example, setting up a stabilized approach in the sim involves much the same steps as it does in real life, so it's useful practice. And checklists can be practiced in a sim if the simulated aircraft has all the controls that the real one would for the checklist.



A good investment for simulation is a payware add-on aircraft of high fidelity. You can get add-on aircraft that are so superior to the default aircraft in the sim that it's like flying a completely new sim. These aircraft, lovingly created by developers and pilots who push the sim to its limits for realism, generally behave like the real aircraft with a lot more fidelity than the default aircraft, which are simplified to make them more "fun." With a fast PC, the right payware add-ons, and some hardware add-ons (yoke, rudder, throttle, even multiple monitors if you want to go that far), realism is increased at least by an order of magnitude.



There are desktop simulators that are certified to be used to log time under specific conditions. They usually concentrate on a specific aspect of flying (the rest of the flying experience being largely disregarded), and are expensive, and typically require an instructor as part of the certification criteria. The utility of investing in these for personal use is highly debatable. Beyond a certain point, you might just be better off spending the same money at your local flying school, either flying a real airplane, or flying one of their certified sims with an instructor. In general, don't expect to be able to log "official" time on a home desktop simulator—it's for self-practice and self-study, but it won't count towards the real-world license requirements.

Answer 4

Home Flight Simulator Setup

Answer 5

The Real Life Flight Sim : http://LatestFlightSimulator.com/Help

Answer 6

All of those things you mentioned are toys and nothing more. They don't make simulators any more realistic nor do they help make a better training environment.



Simulators are horrible for learning how to actually fly a plane. They are, however, great for learning procedures and working on your instrument skills. That being said, get any joystick you want. Forget the yokes, rudder pedals, force feedback, etc. Those are only good for entertainment.



Simulators were never meant to be used for learning how to physically fly a plane. Don't take that part too seriously. They are just toys in that regard.

Answer 7

Most Realistic Airplane Flight Simulator : http://LatestFlightSimulator.com

Answer 8

Unfortunately nothing is as great as the sims they use at training facilities. And the hours on home sims can't be logged of course. But there is A LOT of things you can get.

Answer 9

You will definitely not learn much with a simulator game at home -

It just could be of limited use when you start instrument training -

Another thing missing is an instructor who knows how to train you -

Training "yourself" without guidance leads you to a lot of acquired errors -

In other terms "bad habits" that you might need to unlearn later -

No experienced pilot would recommend table top simulators -



The fingers "down" I get all come from inexperienced people -

Many do not even hold a student license or ever flew a real aircraft -



I could indeed use a table-top sim, to demonstrate/practice holding patterns -

Types of holding pattern, entries, timing, speed limits etc. -

Fixed card ADF use (as in a IFR flight test) -

Non-precision approach techniques - ADF/VOR -

Timed approach procedures -

Procedures to fly back course ILS - (as done in USA) -

Reverse sensing (lightplane instruments) or HSI on back-course approach -





What is not working at all with table-top sims - A few examples -

You do not solo a 747-400 - Where is your F/O? -

You cannot be a PF and a PNF at the same time and learn crew coordination -

PF do not operate controls for gear and flaps - They "call" for these items -

Do you observe standard flaps configuration speeds? -

No, you do not increase/decrease rate of descent with power in a jet -

Pitch trim is the primary control to fly a glide slope manually -

Training in real simulators 75% time is done with 1 engine failed -

Do you practice 2 engine failed approach procedures? -

Do you practice circle-to-land approaches at "minimums" -



I could fill up an entire page of my gripes about these table-top-games...

My airline considered using one in conjunction with new-hire 737 pilot training -

It was used for primary training sessions (in 2005) - did not help at all -

Did not reduce the amount of training new hire pilots required to proficiency -

So we abandonned that project -



Techwing -

I always have very high respect of your opinions -

You always are knowledgeable -

I do not have any "axe to grind" against these table-top games -

If they were any good, I would be the first to foster their use -

Their training value is extremely limited -

Aviation enthusiasts are not drawing a line between "having fun" and training -

Answer 10

nothing beats onground instruction, dry cockpit drills, and actual flying.



using homemade items, you are just using NICE analogies of what sticks and wood Japanese kamikaze trainees were using at the end of war.



regarding the hardware, it really doesnt matter what you use. the force feedback is used to mimick the reduced responsiveness of aircraft at various regimes, and to mimick aerodynamic forces on controls. however no commercial hardware will enable you to foul your otoliths.. so your body knows you are still on ground.



for procedural training, thinking about the situation is just fine. what would THIS read IF.. what would THAT read, then...