MS Flight Sim As a Training Tool

"Tom Conner" wrote in message
ink.net...

"Gig 601XL Builder" wrDOTgiaconaATcox.net wrote in message
...
Ask your self this. Would you if it were legal allow your
son to be trained in nothing but the Kiwi and then solo?


Who has ever advocated flying solo after only sim training? The military
makes extensive use of simulators and even they do not do that. The point
is the sim trained student will probably solo sooner and fly better than
the
non-sim student.
http://www.aopa.org/pilot/features/future0004.html?PF


Hi Tom;

Reference;
"PCATDs?which, as far as Hampton is concerned, include both FAA-certified
PCATDs and off-the-shelf products like Microsoft Flight Simulator?are
restricted to teaching cognitive activities such as holding patterns and
approach procedures, where they can provide practical experience, practice,
and reinforcement. The university relied heavily on PCATDs during the first
private/instrument class, and experienced some negative learning. For
example, the computer?s performance didn?t always match that of the actual
aircraft, especially during slow flight and stalls. Also, if the monitor
isn?t properly sized and positioned, it can lead to poor scanning habits."


There is a key paragraph in this report that hints toward a most important
aspect in the use of desktop simulators in flight training; that being the
fact that they can not at this point in time duplicate the actual control
pressures required in the real airplane. The actual physical cues involved
in flying a specific actual aircraft are considered as critical factors for
the pre-solo student and must be experienced. The input from the desk top
simulator of familiarization with control DIRECTION is fine and should be
considered a training asset up to a point. That point is when the beginning
student must start the process of learning control PRESSURES.

Although there is reason to believe that this technology may be forthcoming
down the line, it is still the opinion of many QUALIFIED instructors in the
training community (myself included) that because of this single factor
involving the familiarization with control PRESSURES in the aircraft being
used for the instruction, the use of desk tops between the period spanning
the first hour of dual through the first solo should be discouraged.

The periods both before and after this period is where the desktops can be
quite useful and complimentary to the training environment.

Addendum; if Mxmanic underposts this reply, please excuse my not dealing
with it directly. If you or anyone else on the forum would like to discuss
this issue with me, please post freely and I'll be most happy to answer.
Thank you
Dudley Henriques
Flight Instructor Retired
[MVP] For Microsoft Flight Simulator