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How to Drive a Virtual Commercial Airplane

Virtual piloting software, or computer flight simulators are designed to provide a very realistic experience to pilots, or even flying enthusiasts without ever stepping foot onto the flight deck of an actual commercial aircraft. These computerized programs can accurately simulate a variety of classic and modern aircraft with a preselected set of weather conditions, night and day flights, and even detailed airport layouts. This allows pilots to train for a multitude of scenarios, such as engine failures, or severe turbulence conditions in a safe and fully controlled environment.

Things You'll Need

Flight simulator software
Flight yoke with pedals

Instructions

- 1
  Launch the virtual flying software and select the type of commercial aircraft you wish to fly.
- 2
  Choose a night or day flight, the duration and scheduled course, and any other parameters your flight sim offers that you wish to train for (e.g., instrument or partial hydraulic failures).
- 3
  Increase engine power until you achieve takeoff speed and gently pull back on the flight yoke to gain altitude.
- 4
  Retract the landing gear (if equipped) and continue along your designated route. Turning the stick left will bank or roll the plane to the left (and vice-versa when a right-hand turn is desired). Follow this movement with a small amount of up-elevator to perform a smooth left-hand turn. Pushing the yoke forward will pitch the nose down and cause the aircraft to quickly lose altitude. Use the rudder pedal for minute left-right or "yaw" corrections, which are extremely useful during landing approaches where the pilot must lineup with the assigned runway.
- 5
  Reduce engine power to slow to the aircraft's recommended landing speed, and deploy landing flaps and gear.

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