Editing Flight simulator (section)

== Applications ==

=== Pilot training ===
{{PanoViewer|Eesti_Lennuakadeemia_360-8.jpg|Interior of a flight simulator in Estonia, for a [[Piper Seneca PA-34]]}}

Most flight simulators are used primarily for [[flight training]]. The simplest simulators are used to practice basic cockpit procedures, such as processing emergency checklists, and for cockpit familiarization. They are also used for [[Instrument flight rules|instrument flight]] training,<ref name="CS-FSTD(A)" /><ref name="rossPilotEvaluationUsefulness1990">{{cite Q|Q112800809}}</ref> for which the outside view is less important. Certain aircraft systems may or may not be simulated, and the aerodynamic model is usually extremely generic if present at all.<ref name="Navy CPT">{{cite web|title=Navy CPT|url=http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=4866|website=www.navair.navy.mil|publisher=U.S. Navy|access-date=4 August 2014|archive-date=8 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808043813/http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NAVAIRNewsStory&id=4866|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Depending on the level of certification, instruments that would have moving indicators in a real aircraft may be implemented with a display.  With more advanced displays, cockpit representation and motion systems, flight simulators can be used to credit different amount of flight hours towards a pilot license.<ref>{{cite web|title=14 CFR Appendix D to Part 141 4.(c)|url=https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-141#p-Appendix-D-to-Part-141(4.)(c)|access-date=1 July 2022|archive-date=24 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424025717/https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-141#p-Appendix-D-to-Part-141(4.)(c)|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Specific classes of simulators are also used for training other than obtaining initial license such as [[instrument rating]] revalidation, or most commonly<ref>{{cite web|title=Advantages of Simulators (FSTDs) in Helicopter Flight Training|author=European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST)|publisher=European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)|url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/HE-6-Advantages-of-simulators-in-Helicopter-Flight-Training-final.pdf|access-date=2022-06-29|page=6}}</ref> obtaining [[type rating]] for specific kind of aircraft.

=== Other uses ===

During the [[aircraft design process]], flight simulators can be used instead of performing actual flight tests. Such "engineering flight simulators" can provide a fast way to find errors, reducing both the risks and the cost of development significantly.<ref name="allertonImpactFlightSimulation2010">{{cite Q|Q112813532|pages=6}}</ref> Additionally, this allows use of extra measurement equipment that might be too large or otherwise impractical to include during onboard a real aircraft. Throughout different phases of the design process, different engineering simulators with various level of complexity are used.<ref name="allerton2009">{{cite Q|Q112813340}}</ref>{{rp|13}}

Flight simulators may include training tasks for crew other than pilots. Examples include gunners on a military aircraft <ref name="heersSubjectiveMeasurementAssessment1998">{{cite Q|Q112800993}}</ref> or hoist operators.<ref name="kingNoviceExperiencedHoist2022">{{cite Q|Q112805528}}</ref> Separate simulators have also been used for tasks related to flight, like evacuating the aircraft in case of a crash in water.<ref name="hyttenHelicopterCrashWater1989">{{cite Q|Q112805503}}</ref> With high complexity of many systems composing contemporary aircraft, [[aircraft maintenance]] simulators are increasingly popular.<ref name="pinheiroDevelopmentMechanicalMaintenance2012">{{cite Q|Q57592005}}</ref><ref name="decrescenzioAugmentedRealityAircraft2011">{{cite Q|Q87833678}}</ref>