Term of the Moment
automotive display
Definition: 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.
Augmented Reality Is Also Used
Fighter pilots are also trained flying real planes wearing augmented reality (AR) glasses that superimpose enemy aircraft attacking them. This generates even more realism than a flight simulator because they are actually flying the plane. See augmented reality.
Flight Simulator
Military and Commercial Simulations
In a Gaming PC
Augmented Reality Is Also Used
Fighter pilots are also trained flying real planes wearing augmented reality (AR) glasses that superimpose enemy aircraft attacking them. This generates even more realism than a flight simulator because they are actually flying the plane. See augmented reality.
Evans & Sutherland supplies the computer simulation for flight simulators used in commercial and military aircraft training. This 20-foot 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.)
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.)
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!