[PhantomGremlin]

They're not discussing "simulation". From the article:

   Today he would not respond to questions about
   the new allegations from the FBI that he also
   messed with the systems during a real flight.

But WTF was he doing talking to the FBI back in February in the first place?

There's nothing good that ever happens to people when they speak to law enforcement. The ego these guys must have is enormous. It's like they take lessons from movie supervillains who can't resist bragging to James Bond.

Those Bond villains sometimes have the right idea. Goldfinger's first inclination (he should have stuck with it) was to simply dispose of James Bond:

   James Bond: Do you expect me to talk?

   Auric Goldfinger: No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!