flight simulator
[′flīt ‚sim·yə‚lād·ər] (aerospace engineering)
A training device or apparatus that simulates certain conditions of actual flight or of flight operations.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
flight simulator
A training device or apparatus that can simulate entire flight characteristics of any particular aircraft type. The simulator cockpit is an exact replica of the aircraft cockpit. The simulator is computer-driven. A facility is provided to project terrain, airfield layout, etc. to simulate conditions as realistically as possible. The actions taken by a pilot can be monitored from outside the simulator and recorded for a detailed debrief. Simulators can be used to train pilots in procedures, emergencies, and, in certain types, even air combat. It is possible for the instructor to simulate various in-flight emergencies from his or her control cabin outside the simulator cockpit.
An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved
flight simulator
Hardware and software that models the behavior of airplanes and spacecraft. Flying a plane can be simulated in a regular computer with flight simulator software; however, pilots and astronauts learn how to fly in full-scale systems that recreate the experience with extreme realism. See simulator. |
| Flight Simulator |
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| Evans & Sutherland supplies the computer simulation for flight simulators used in commercial and military aircraft training. This 20' dome in the Netherlands has an actual cockpit inside. The simulated scenes are projected onto the dome, and the hydraulics move the unit. (Image courtesy of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, www.es.com) |
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| Military and Commercial Simulations |
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| Military pilots are trained by simulating enemy aircraft. Commercial pilots are trained by simulating takeoffs and landings at major airports. (Images courtesy of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation.) |
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| Military and Commercial Simulations |
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| Military pilots are trained by simulating enemy aircraft. Commercial pilots are trained by simulating takeoffs and landings at major airports. (Images courtesy of Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation.) |
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| In a Gaming PC |
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| In 2012, PC maker MAINGEAR introduced a very elaborate game controller for flight simulation on a Windows PC. With the monitor placed on top of the controller, you are flying the plane! For more information, visit www.maingear.com. |
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