| This article is factually incorrect. Here's some glaring examples: > United States and European Union, which still compel pilots to meet stringent standards to keep their licences valid, including a requirement to actually fly a plane. Not true, at least not in the US. According to 14 CFR 61.56 (i) "A flight simulator or flight training device may be used to meet the flight review requirements of this section" > There is a whole host of skills you don’t exercise in a simulator True, but the opposite is also true. I can think of number of scenarios that can be practiced in a sim but cannot be safely or legally practiced in aircraft. Example of such scenario: engine failure in instrument meteorological conditions. > If you had a heart issue, would you go and see a heart surgeon that hadn’t operated in five years I wonder if Mr. McConnell is aware that every single line pilot who files B787 or A380 today did all their training for that airframe and passed the rating test in a flight simulator. The reality is all airline pilots train in flight sims these day. There is no practical way of doing that in actual aircraft. If one can do all their training and pass the license test in a sim why can't they do periodic flight review in a sim? |