Definition
A flight conducted to provide passengers with the sensations of unusual flight maneuvers — such as steep turns, climbs, descents, or aerobatic-style movement — for amusement rather than for transportation, training, or business. Under FAA rules, this type of flight requires each occupant to wear an approved parachute and is subject to specific operating limitations.
Plain English
A flight where the pilot performs maneuvers to thrill or entertain the people on board, rather than to take them somewhere or teach them something. Because the flying is more aggressive than normal, the FAA requires everyone on board to wear a parachute.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions that separate entertainment simulator experiences from approved pilot-training simulator use.
Derivation
Simulated comes from a Latin word meaning “to copy or imitate.” Here it means the flight is being imitated in a device rather than taking place in an aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Clarifies which simulator sessions cannot be counted toward ratings, currency, or experience requirements.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “simulated flight” means approved simulator training. The key phrase is “for entertainment purposes”: the experience is for enjoyment or demonstration, not official training credit.
Example Sentence 1
Before the sightseeing operator added barrel rolls to the ride, he confirmed the flight would be classified as simulated flight for entertainment purposes and equipped each passenger with an approved parachute.
Example Sentence 2
Unlike an approved training session, simulated flight for entertainment purposes produces no logbook credit.