Do real pilots use Microsoft Flight Simulator?

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本物のパイロットはMicrosoft Flight Simulatorを使っているのか？

How realistic is flight simulation and how can VR help?

Pimax's Joshua sits down for an hour-long conversation with Captain Marlon Choyce , an American Airlines Airbus 320neo captain and avid VR pilot (scroll down for the video).  

Why Real Pilots Use Flight Simulators

Modern flight simulators are not only fun, but also great for practicing extreme scenarios like losing engine power. At-home flight simulators can not only run scenarios, but also recreate them by shutting down engines or running out of fuel. If one engine runs out of fuel, pilots can refuel other engines or learn how far the plane can "glide" to the nearest airport. This is more effective in a flight simulator than in the real world.  

Flight simulators can also help you choose practice locations, such as approaches to new runways at airports. Microsoft Flight Simulator uses satellite data for location information, which is often manually updated with great accuracy. It also displays real-time weather and traffic information.

Another way modern flight simulators are useful for real pilots is by allowing them to practice and memorize the cockpit layout and all the switches, buttons, and lights. While pilots use "paper tiger" mock-ups of the cockpit, a flight simulator lets you actually operate the switches and see which ones are just indicators, not knobs. Virtual reality, like the Pimax Crystal, is particularly useful. Crystal features glass aspherical lenses and 2880x2880 pixels per eye, making the dashboard crystal clear and easy to read.  

Why additional training is always helpful

As Marlon Choice emphasized during the seminar, training can be used to prepare for less common real-life scenarios that you still want to be fully prepared for. For example, if your training fails, how far can you glide to the nearest airport? Marlon said: "Instead of reacting to the situation, you have to rely on your training."

Flight simulators not only allow you to easily recreate real-life scenarios, but airline simulators offer limited time (and are very expensive!) simulators like Microsoft Flight Simulator allow you to get a realistic experience right from the comfort of your own home.

Interview

Why Flight Training Needs a Technology Upgrade

Traditional flight training often requires the use of full motion simulators or live aircraft, both of which are expensive and subject to geographic, weather, and schedule constraints. With a growing global pilot shortage, the aviation industry is under pressure to train new pilots efficiently, safely, and affordably.
This is where VR flight training comes in handy.

Key Benefits of VR in Flight Simulation

  • Cost-effective: VR significantly reduces the need for expensive physical simulators and in-air training time.
  • Immersive Learning: Trainees experience a lifelike cockpit environment with full 360° visual immersion, improving muscle memory and spatial awareness.
  • Flexible access: VR allows students to train from home or a training center, reducing logistical obstacles.
  • Real-time feedback: Integrated analytics allow instructors to more accurately track student performance and progress.
  • Risk-free environment: You can make mistakes and learn from them without real-world consequences.

Challenges to be overcome

Despite its promise, VR flight training is not without obstacles.
  • Hardware limitations: Not all VR headsets offer the resolution or wide field of view required for realistic cockpit operation.
  • Motion simulation: VR lacks physical movement cues such as G-forces, which are important in the more advanced stages of training.
  • Standardization: The aviation industry needs clearer guidelines and certification for VR-based training modules.
However, as headsets become more advanced and VR software becomes more powerful, these challenges are quickly being overcome.

VR + Aviation: A market-proven combination

In recent years, we have seen a surge in VR applications specifically for the aviation industry. Companies like VRpilot are : It is developing software that faithfully replicates aircraft flight procedures used by airlines such as Alaska Airlines , while US-based Precision Flight Training and CAE have similarly implemented VR-based pilot training as part of their curriculum.

Pimax headsets, at the forefront of high-end VR hardware, have earned acclaim in the flight simulation community. Pimax headsets feature an ultra-wide field of view that mimics a pilot's natural peripheral vision, which is essential for cockpit visibility. Additionally, ultra-high-resolution displays like those found in the Pimax Crystal Super enable pilots to clearly read small labels and instrument panels in the cockpit. This week, Lufthansa pilots visited the Pimax offices to test the Crystal Super in a flight simulation environment.
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