Definition
The use of a ground-based device to reproduce the operation of an aircraft and its flight environment for training, practice, or evaluation. Devices range from basic computer-based aviation training devices (BATDs) to advanced full flight simulators (FFS) that replicate cockpit controls, instrument responses, aircraft handling, and outside visual cues.
Plain English
Practicing flying on the ground using a machine or computer that imitates how an airplane flies and what the pilot sees and feels.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of flight training options, flight schools, and practice done in a simulator or training device before or between airplane lessons.
Derivation
From Latin simulare, meaning 'to imitate' or 'to copy.' A flight simulation is literally an imitation of flight — designed to behave like the real thing without leaving the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Allows practice of procedures, emergencies, and instrument work in a low-risk, lower-cost environment that can count toward training requirements.
Analogy
It is like practicing driving in a driver-training simulator before going onto a real road: useful for learning actions and choices, but not the same as operating the real vehicle.
Intuition Check
Do not assume flight simulation means real flight. It means an imitation of flight used for practice or training on the ground.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first instrument lesson, she practiced holding patterns in a flight simulation device at the school.
Example Sentence 2
Flight simulation helped the pilot stay current on instrument approaches when weather prevented actual flights.