Does Flight Simulator help ACTUAL pilot training?

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I've been a licensed pilot since 2004, commercial pilot since 2006, and flight instructor since 2008 - and it is my belief that, while not entirely accurate to real life, games like Flight Simulator can dramatically help the skills of any aviator, over time.
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#pilot #flightsim #aviation

[@brodiebrazil]

If you like THIS video, check out my NEW aviation channel: brodie.bz/Aviation

[@mannysamson4091]

Would you recommend doing this for a guy who's in his second year of mechanical engineering and aspires to join the air force after that as a pilot for some larger aircraft?

[@fix8ed387]

Just started training for my PPL and have been a flight sim fan for years. My instructor was impressed by my stick and rudder usage right of the bat. I was also familiar with the instruments, cockpit layout, and many of the procedures we went through up in the air. Of course, the feel is definitely not the same as real life - but it's as close as you can get without actually firing up the engines and taking off. Thanks for confirming that it definitely does help.

[@sgtstedanko7186]

As long as you treat it like real life, it'll get you closer than somebody who knows nothing

[@ajthiel6513]

I had the same experience on my first flight as well. Definitely helps

[@GR-uc1gq]

Which one did you have and what controller

[@texasroadman8257]

Man I'm so tired of some pilots coming on here and completely discrediting the benefits of using a sim, it's refreshing listening to brodie tell us it actually counts for something

[@BerryTheBnnuy]

I think what it is is that they're all saying it's not a substitute for real training or real experience, while Brodie's saying yeah it's not a substitute, but someone with extensive simulator experience is already going to be very familiar with how to fly a plane and so they're easier to teach.

[@texasroadman8257]

@@BerryTheBnnuy my instructor on my discovery flight said he didnt think it was any use umless for learning the checklist till I took off and landed on first try 😂

[@Hani_Santa]

@@texasroadman8257 some exegarate a bit how difficult flying actually is, that is aviation flying. It's mostly about learning systems and instruments. But the physical aspect in the end is about hand eye coordination, if you are good at it in a sim you adept pretty quick in real life obviously..... It's not as intense like racing or combat flying where you really need physical strength and way more skill in reaction times and what not. It's mostly that in real life the consequences are real, so it's much more intimidating. But with VR nowadays also that is replicated to a certain extend..... If even alien simracers adept to real racing relatively quick and are actually pretty good, what is aviation flying in comparison? Honestly with all do respect, Nerds are always annoying about their craft just saying ;p....from a Nerd ;).

[@texasroadman8257]

@@Hani_Santa you're right, it did feel way different with the movement of the aircraft it's intimidating but with msfs and also me being a nerd and downloading checklists and reading about aircrafts I knew alot and understood a lot more than the average person, and I agree the most difficult part of flying is understanding instruments and aircraft and how they're supposed to work under different circumstances

[@kaasmeester5903]

​@@Hani_Santa As a student pilot, I didn't find learning how to fly the plane particularly hard. The harder parts are mostly about rules and procedures, safety and emergencies, situational awareness, that sort of thing. But: with the right setup, decent controls and a VR headset, and VATSIM, you can train those aspects of flying as well, to a degree. It doesn't replace actual flight school but it can certainly augment it. There's a reason airline pilots spend a lot of time in the simulator... if it helps them, why wouldn't it help general aviation pilots? I'm interested in setting up a sim rig to see if it can help me train new procedures, navigate unfamiliar terrain, maybe help prepare me for my check ride eventally.

[@iamshaker]

I landed a Cessna on a discovery flight because of the hundreds of hours I spent on the simulator. The flight instructor genuinely thought I was a real pilot and even asked me if I was😂 I expressed to him the passion I have for aviation and the countless hours I spent flying at home to convince him I wasn’t lying and that I wasn’t actually an actual pilot. Deffff recommend using a simulator to help with training, especially for people who can’t afford to fly 4-5 times a week

[@Shabaka-hr2so]

Bro, could you please write the simulator that you have used. If possible PC configuration and all required controllers?

[@Fenixx117]

Before my PPL solo cross country flight I took my paper navlog calculations and wind corrections and flew the route in MSFS to make sure everything checked out and to recognize specific roads and lakes I used as checklists over a quite remote area near the mountains. It worked perfectly. I'm doing my IFR rating now and just waiting top upgrade some things to practice all those approach plates and holds in my room instead of in the plane spending $$$

[@vagabondjay7281]

Life hack, for real 😂😂.

[@Justin-ny8df]

I always enjoy hearing people with different things. I always thought flight sims would be really good to pick up. However, my instructor gave me a fair warning, "be careful getting into a flight sim to supplement your training until you know what you are supposed to do CORRECTLY or else you MAY or MAY NOT develop bad habits that will need to be broken in flight." I thought it was a sound piece of advice.

[@KernitTheFont]

This is why I'm delaying buying MSFS till I've got a few hours under my belt.

[@danielharvey3319]

Thanks you answering the question at the start of the video and not waiting for 99 percent of the video

[@natelove187]

Yes it does help. I’m a RC Pilot. I have a Simulator PC for RC and Real Flight training. When I fly RC, I was practicing Aileron, Rudder, and the worst case Elevator failure. One day I took out my Aerobatic Biplane P-6E Hawk. I took off within the 1 minute my Right Aileron failed for real. When I took off people was excited but they didn’t know I was i trouble. My training kicked in. The plane started to roll left. I corrected it with left aileron and right stick. I had to increase throttle to keep air over the left aileron. I had to gain altitude and glider her in by feathering the throttle. As the speed of the aircraft decreased the more the plane tried to roll left. I finally landed with full stick to the right. Inspect the plane and saw my Right Aileron servo stuck do to the epoxy glue melted and went into the circuit board. It was my fault. I rushed to put the plane ✈️ together and put to much glue on the servo tray. The plane is fixed. Believe me PC Simulators work. Ask the Air Force and Navy. The Military have to have a balance between Simulator Time and Flight ✈️ Time. It will save your life

[@terrywayneHamilton]

I am an old guy and just got a plastic license to replace my paper ticket, that is how old I am. I love every thing that can fly and I love flight sims. My take on computer teaching is that with a flight / Navigation sim and add active weather with tower instruction and good graphics you have all the aeronautical knowledge that is needed to be a successful pilot. One note , the only thing lacking in the computer flight sims is FEAR. That you will learn on your own. Stalls the big problem few pilots ever learn until it is to late. A couple flight sims have aircraft you can learn stall procedures and recovery from . Fly by the numbers and you will fly long and healthy .

[@Yousaf_Yunes]

Agreed, I think the issue is pilots who say it teaches you bad habits or is completely useless......

[@ZacharyGalloway]

This has been my exact thoughts and I ended up building a gaming PC and getting a VR and CH products flights yoke and pedals for FS 2020. In game flight training helps to learn the instruments and comms to help get comfortable with the cockpit setups. Also love fighter jets so I use DCS world with a HOTAS for that as well. Learning the real start up procedures and instruments has to be extremally valuable. Trying to learn as much as I can about as many planes as I can before taking the leap to flight school.

[@BerryTheBnnuy]

Playing this in VR taught me a LOT about real startup procedures!

[@caltagerone77]

Thank you! I just started my pilot training. I had my first flight a week ago and I wish there was a way to recreate all that in a more control environment. I have been thinking about investing in a gaming PC, game, and some basic instruments. Yoke, peddles, throttle. It adds up to about $2,700 and I wasn't sure if it was worth it or not.

[@whenisdinner2137]

I'm pretty sure this game is available through cloud. You don't really need a gaming PC anymore. All you need is a subscription to Xbox game pass and it's included.

[@videogameplayer0552]

I bought an Xbox series S just yesterday, to play the game. You don’t really need a PC unless you really want VATSIM, which is only Available on the PC version. If you’re going to use the PC for lots of other games, or other purposes, it’s a waste of money, because an Xbox series S is just $300 meanwhile a PC capable of running the game well is probably gonna cost $1000-$2000.

[@schumzy]

Look at X-plane 11 instead, it doesn't need such a strong gaming PC and it's fluid dynamics are solid.

[@impledob69]

a bit late now. But as a PC gamer who want's to get into flying it can be cheaper to get into PC gaming and sim stuff.

[@Fenixx117]

Only a little for private pilot as it is all about feeling but for sure as an instrument pilot.

[@BerryTheBnnuy]

I just got FS2020 and played it in VR... I immediately installed the freeware Grumman Goose aircraft from ozx. In the first 3 hours I learned more about flying a Grumman Goose for real than I did in hundreds of hours of doing it on FSX. It's all due to VR... Since I wasn't relying on keyboard controls which are universal across all airplanes, I had to flip the switches for the battery, the lights, the alternators, magnetos, engine start, etc manually... I took off from Key West and flew to the Florida coast and set her down in a salt marsh and wondered why the plane was tilted to one side, then I looked out to the wing and noticed the float arms weren't down... Went looking all around the cockpit in VR and found the float arm control just above my head... I also learned how to use the goose's prop feathering and flaps... with all the controls being exactly where they would be in a real Goose... Now, I'm not saying that I'm definitely qualified to fly a real goose, and I sure as hell would never be able to afford to buy one (but I really really REALLY want one, anybody with a spare half million can get me a real goose?), but I feel like if I went and got my pilot's license, I could definitely get in the cockpit of a Goose and know how to do just about everything. I'm not confident with landing on a runway yet though...

[@topofthegreen]

I think there is some value if you have a good yoke, throttle and rudder pedal setup, I’ve gotten pretty good at cross wind landings.

[@G2GGolf]

Had a pretty bad fear of flying. Once I picked up msfs and learned how to fly the 737 and a320 it went away. Knowing what’s happening and why made it a lot easier for me to fly.

[@OfficialSheffieldCouncil]

Interesting. For a lot of people it works the opposite way. I.e they’re more aware of what’s happening so the magic has gone, making them more aware of how things can fail.

[@kenbit667]

Thanks for the info. Sim flying will definitely do a lot in introducing a first flyer to aircraft environment and systems. Experienced pilots will find it useful too when it comes to new cockpits because instruments and switches are replicated to represent real cockpits; it is also useful in instrument flying plus saving money! Strictly speaking a sim. is not a real aircraft and cannot fly like one (except full-flight sims which come "a bit close") but nonetheless does a lot good.

[@jjsmallpiece9234]

I think FS2020 is useful because its gets you used to looking at flight instruments, what they look like in the different phases of flight. Some appreciation of what a runway looks like when approaching to land.

[@theradicalnomad7083]

As a student, I can simulate a new plane I haven't flow yet so I'm already familiar with the cockpit before I ever get in the real thing. As well as I can simulate approaches and terrain around airports I haven't been to yet. Plus sometimes its fun to mess around in a consequence free environment. I have a cheap $30 flight stick so its far from exact but it gets you in there and can help you get familiar with things like where to set the trim and allows you to feel out the basic handling characteristics of an aircraft. It's no substitute for the real thing but I think it absolutely benefits beginners and anyone who wants to gain some basic familiarity a certain plane or location.

[@gamerkid7340]

Hey man how similar are the landings and moment to real life

[@thomasmcentee4247]

Very cool, Brodie. Been enjoying your flying vids for a while. Just showed my 9 year (who loves airplanes and playing hockey) and he's all in for a flight sim system.

[@brodiebrazil]

that's awesome! it's a great way to introduce newcomers & kids to flying without a huge financial risk/investment. good luck and enjoy!

[@xpsports67]

I've spent thousands of hours flying and enjoying X-Plane. I have no desire to get my pilot's license and the truth is I don't even really like to fly (thus my interest in a simulator {I don't have to leave the safety of my couch}), but I'm thinking that with all time I've logged there is a fairly good chance I could take off in a real plane (most of the times), actually fly it (for at least a little while), and maybe even safely land it (a few times). There is a version of X-Plane (I'm not arguing which sim is the best) that is actually used in real pilot training.

[@ZINDJGABECORDERO]

Thank you, you video gave me alot of hope. I am using microsoft flight simulator in the past 2 months and learned alot from it. I just have a flight stick controller with throttle that looks like the one that is used in figther planes and airbus. The yoke type is expensive

[@johnporter5828]

I am a retired private pilot. Actual flying became too expensive for me, so I acquired a sim. They are amazing these days ! I love exploring the world on MSFS with my small jet - which is something only rich folks can do in real life - and only with a ton of $$$.

[@cybhunter007]

As a student pilot, (prepping for solo, working on mastery of power stalls), and an AGI (having an engineering background, it's a given), it's what you put in (i.e. realism of process) that you take out. There are points where the existing models do fail (case in point, you might be coordinated while attempting a power on stall, and MSFS 2020 will tend to put into a spin, or the cross wind component making a nightmare of taxing); regardless it allows users to acclimate to getting procedures down with low risk ("chair flying"). If you can afford it, having a VR headset partially offsets the missing feedback of a desktop configuration (it helps with maintaining sight pictures, especially on approaches and pattern work) Complimentary to the flight sims, there are third party plug-in's that provide the radio component that add the extra element of realism.

[@Bootchair]

I love joining the servers that make you read back the taxi instructions, flight level, etc. Still haven’t figured out A lot of the instruments. Always flying VFR 😂

[@kentslocum]

The hardest part of flying for me would be understanding and mastering the radio chatter. Does Microsoft Simulator have multiplayer or air traffic control?

[@nploates]

Google VATSIM

[@jcole1679]

I was able to fly in 135 Sims while earning my engine run qualification, those are intense and because they are on pistons that move the room you get a real sense of flying. It's pretty incredible.

[@topofthegreen]

I was wanting to pursue a professional flying career, however, the problem is the new rule on part 135 and part 91 state that operators have the option of forcing retirement of pilots of age 65 just like the part 121 pilots, it’s too bad they decided to do this because now being that I am 59 years old and in great health, it still would make spending a small fortune to pursue a career that is uncertain at best would not be worth it, yet they say there is a pilot shortage right? Flight sim will be all im using.

[@OfficialSheffieldCouncil]

I’d add, play MSFS in VR and it’s one of the best tools next to IRL you could ever have.

[@josephinedietrich6391]

Great video! I’m thinking of getting this game! I want to learn! What do you think about the 1500 hour rule? And sim time?

[@mattsikorski4600]

Thank you for this review! I'm sold. Now to pick some controls out.

[@user-hs8sw6vq8u]

I flew msfs for 2 weeks and started flight training right after. Still fly the sim occasionally to practice instruments as well as patterns around my local airport 👌🏾

[@tnmonty501]

I’m hoping I’ll do better doing the real thing ,if I ever get around to it. the lack of feel and difficulty maintaining spacial awareness looking at a screen give me trouble.

[@tjmns]

Definitely on my list. Thanks for the review

[@ermin3963]

Thanks Brodie!

[@Plysomack]

What's better than Brodie answering your question in the comments? Answering your question with a whole new video! Thank you, sir!

[@zeitzeph]

Brodie, we need to get you on the PC version and up your periphrial game!

[@Ackermanmedia]

I am confident that I could take somebody from zero time to a private pilot without ever stepping foot in a real aircraft. Flying VR simulation ABSOLUTELY gives you the ability to learn without actually flying.

[@QuantatativeStealing]

I can see you're using Turtle Beach...I can't get the Trim wheel to work properly...sensitivity turned right down...I'm still struggling! Great video!

[@AB-ko9en]

My Flight instructor told me that it doesn’t help but I think that was a marketing scam to keep me in the airplane. The CFI teaching skills are really not that good because some of these people are so young. I’m going over to Best Buy tomorrow and I’m putting in a flight simulator.!!!

[@jdub7771]

What is the best way to play msfs to prepare for a ppl? I've been playing it for a while now (about 8 months) and I usually just fly around with no rhyme or reason, after I completed all of the missions etc. I'm asking this, because I finally set up a date for my discovery ride 2 weeks from now. I'm excited!

[@tangotango256]

Check out DOF realistic h6 or p6... there's your body input it ain't cheap ... but good

[@IAMTOMA_]

I’ve been playing simulators all my life. I took one driving class to get my license because of video games. I agree

[@gjsxnobody7534]

any idea on how to get a second person into the cockpit with you, in VR, possibly in different physical location? like a buddy, or flight instructor? seeing the same thing as you.

[@gusbisbal9803]

As a procedural trainer sure. To learn all the checklists and the nav procedures ...of course.... as far as stick and rudder goes..... your out of your mind if sitting in a chair with a controller, even a yoke does anything for feel.

[@krazycaper]

What do you use for your flight yoke and rudders? I am pretty new to MSFS, but I am trying to learn as much as I can. I am highly thinking about becoming a pilot.

[@brodiebrazil]

I use the Turtle Beach velocity one flight controller. There's a review of it on my new aviation channel! brodie.bz/Aviation

[@minnil7927]

Hello I was wondering if you thinks it’s possible to develop bad habits if I have never flown before and just start flying a simulator

[@chltmdwp]

What about radio communication part with the ATC? Is that pretty accurate?

[@chltmdwp]

@@alhassant9204 thank yoh

[@maskirish]

I knew it was yes, I wanted to know how and how much.

[@Midlander1956]

Another great reason is FAMILIARITY with the places you want to fly in. I’m not a real pilot, but I am able to work out where I am when I’m flying in a plane (going on holiday), especially approaching airports…I can quickly work out where to go. That’s due to spending hours practicing these flights….

[@gr8daysue838]

What is the best VR simulator on Oculus to use for legitimate training?

[@KainEvans]

Can you test the ones on quest vr? 😂 been wanting to try it but you can save heaps just playing it on the quest because it saves buying all the other flight simulator accessories 😂

[@wilminasatrus6737]

Does that cover the landing part? Night and Day?

[@au_kryptosilverstacking6576]

Thank you, I’m going to pull trigger for Xbox series s since I’m only working on my ppl Later down the line maybe I buy a super computer for my flight sims 🙏

[@kendalstewart5308]

This not a game, this is a simulator. A game has a beginning and an end not a simulator. And there are commercial pilots on KZbin that said, they have flown a route in one of these simulators first before going to work and flying the same route. Great video by the way thank you.

[@Xpnvh]

compared to xplane its more game than sim but its still a sim

[@vampov]

I was a guest in a military flight sim 25 years ago for the C5 and man that thing was a piece of crap it was a piece of crap by the technology of the day. They were still using like old school dishwasher hard drives on the floor. My Pentium could smoke that huge setup but it was the government and they love wasting money (old computers require large amounts of power and AC). This simulator looks better than anyone could imagine years ago.

[@-Belshazzar-]

I don’t really get your first input, i mean flight schools has built in lessons plan, it's not like they would say "ahh you used msfs? Sure we can skip theory and first two lessons" you would still nedd to complete all lessons in order to get a license, so what money are yiu saving really?

[@StickOnLSD]

i've passed my IR only by practicing flight sim.

[@DuckiestBoat959]

I wish the developers at Asobo could see this.

[@gwailotus9154]

1) if you show x level of knowledge/skill from home sim training will u still have to log the same amount of minimum hours of real flight training with an instructor, same ground school hours, same cross country flights hours, same procedural testing (verbal/flight), same as a newbie with no home simulator experience? if same i don't see how you are saving any money .....unless skill development usually takes the average newbie several or many hours BEYOND the minimum course required hours. Would appreciate an answer from someone with real life experience and preferably an instructor. 2) average total cost to get private pilot license for complete beginner for: A - no home sim training? B - with home sim training?

[@gotahgemini6415]

I'm curious , wouldn't you learn faster and so not pay for extra lessons, or at least have relatively fewer extra lessons to pay for, as you can train navigation etc. Of course the sim will not give you the physical feeling of the aircraft, but the other stuff should come in handy, right?

[@johnlocke3481]

I genuinely can't believe this is a question for so many people. A flight sim is INFINITELY helpful, and has NO downsides. People screaming "develop bad habbits" don't know what they are talking about. Think logically. You are getting hours of time of familiarity with the interior, handling, communicating, navigating, using the instruments, etc. You can become pro at every aspect. The "BAD HABBITS" people think you'll look at the instruments too much in real life since you have to do that in the sim, but this is a non-issue. You'll be way better than people who didn't sim. IF you have the IQ to learn to fly, then you have the IQ to look out the window in a real plane, with the added training to quickly read the instruments when needed.

[@brodiebrazil]

i think you can only further bad habits in a sim, probably not develop them there. add sim to regular instruction and supervision... it's a great tool

[@Dibbles2005]

Little do we know that there are people who love flying planes into the Pentagon etc. 💀

[@kheny11]

2:36 Yeah but you won't get those 3 hours back

[@Winchester1six]

what about dcs? I mean if push comes to shove and aliens come down, independence day v2 starts happening im sure i can fire up my f18 off a carrier 😂

[@gidds617]

Flight simulator is a masterpiece

[@larrysouthern5098]

I may not ever get a chance to go out on a date with a real Dallas Cowboy cheerleader...but I can get my girlfriend a cheerleader outfit and have a blast...and hopefylly she gets a thrillout of doing it too. That's what flight simming means to me. Happy flight simming...:0)...

[@tropicaljupiter]

Subscription? Game’s pay once my friendly man, no subscription needed

[@ericthepunisher]

Do we really want to be training anyone to fly a plane?? I feel paranoid saying this but you did say it’s like flying a real plane 🤬

[@austinkleyn1816]

Real private pilot here. The flying is wayyy too easy in MFS, even on the most difficult settings. Please don't even think you know anything about flying the real thing from MFS, except in abstract. Try groundlooping a J3 in MFS. I haven't even been able to do that, except with extreme difficulty sometimes. Or bouncing hard on landing so that you loose control. The planes in MFS land by themselves more or less. Still a gorgeous game and lots of fun, for sure.

[@paulwblair]

I've never played MSFS (I'm a long time X-plane user), but I've been told by those that play both that X-Plane has much more realistic ground handling. The planes definitely do NOT land themselves in X-plane.

[@Xpnvh]

​@@paulwblairbut you can program the planes autopilot to land it so the planes do land themselves haha