Definition
A full flight simulator is the highest-fidelity category of ground-based flight training device, featuring a fully enclosed replica cockpit of a specific airplane, a full visual display system, and a motion platform that physically moves the cockpit to reproduce the accelerations of flight. It is qualified by the FAA to one of four levels (A, B, C, or D), with Level D being the most capable and approved for zero-flight-time training and checking in the represented airplane.
Plain English
A full flight simulator is a complete cockpit copy that sits on a moving platform, with realistic outside-world visuals, used to train and test pilots so accurately that some training counts as if it were done in the actual airplane.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of flight simulation training, especially when comparing what should be practiced in a simulator versus in an actual airplane during upset prevention and recovery training.
Derivation
‘Full’ here signals that the device includes everything — enclosed cockpit, visuals, and motion — distinguishing it from partial training devices that have only some of these features.
Why Pilots Care
FFS allows pilots to rehearse dangerous maneuvers and emergency procedures without risk to aircraft or lives.
Intuition Check
“Full” does not mean the simulator can perfectly copy every possible airplane motion or upset. Here, it means the device is designed and approved to represent the whole flight deck and flight experience within defined limits.
Example Sentence 1
The airline conducts all of its recurrent stall and upset recovery training in a Level D FFS.
Example Sentence 2
Type rating checks are often completed entirely in an approved FFS.