How realistic is the google flight simulator as it relates to actually piloting a plane?

Question

I'm curious only because it seems to come extremely natrual and easy. Even taking off and landing. I'm only using a mouse for most of the controls but it seems as though the actual mechanical controls would make it much easier to "feel" what is going on. Or, is google just faking me out? Thank's to any pilots out there who have tried the one on google!

Answer 1

I never knew that google earth included a flight simulator.  I messed around with it for a bit, kinda cool.  Anyway, that flight simulator, like all simulators, is nothing like the feel you get when flying a real plane.  I could say that flying a real plane is easier, but in a real plane you have to worry about safety, airplane limitations, not hitting other people, navigating, communications, faa regulations, etc.    If you compare flying straight and level and doing basic maneuvers like climbs and turns while taking away all the real-world complexities that I listed, then yes it's probably easier in a real plane.  However, flying the real thing is a lot more complicated because of all the other stuff, mentioned above, that you have to worry about.  Not to mention, there's no reset button in a real airplane.

Note that take off and landing in a sim cannot be compared to the real thing.  Even landing the full-motion simulators that airlines use is really a joke and can't be used to learn how to do it in the real thing.

If you really want to find out, then go to your local airport and take an introductory flight lesson.

Answer 2

Terrible

Answer 3

No simulator is identical to the real thing, but realism varies among different simulators, and since simulators are not always used to simulate every aspect of flight, most of them are good at certain parts of the simulation, and not very good at others.

The Google flight simulator is at the low end of the scale in terms of realism.

You can get vastly better realism from PC programs that simulate flight specifically, such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane.  They provide a good general simulation of flight, especially if you have a joystick and other controls attached to your computer.  Because the computer doesn't move and has only a single screen (instead of wide windows), PC-based simulations are more accurate for flight by instruments than they are for visual flight.  Various add-ons for these simulators are available that greatly increase accuracy and realism, and they can also be used on networks so that you can fly among other "pilots" with air traffic "controllers."

Beyond that, the price goes up, but the accuracy improves.  Some dedicated simulators for the PC simulate specific things, such as instrument flight only, and some of them, in specific configurations and with an instructor present, are certified by aviation authorities and the time spent on them can be logged for the purpose of obtaining a license (although you still need lots of time in a real plane to get the license).  Programs like X-Plane are not expensive, but when you get into certified simulators, you add one or more zeros to the price.

Beyond that, you get into purpose-built simulators that simulate many of the physical aspects of flying.  At the top of the scale are full-motion simulators that exactly duplicate the behavior of specific, real aircraft.  They move like the real thing, and they look and behave just like the real thing (from inside the cockpit).  They are certified and the time spent on them can be officially logged.  They are very expensive ($15-$30 million), and time on them is charged by the hour.  They are used mostly by airline pilots for practice and certification and other necessary purposes (airline pilots must constantly remain current on various procedures that they are unlikely to ever encounter in real life).  Despite the cost, using simulators for commercial pilots is still cheaper than handing them a real airliner just for practice.

If you like flying on the Google simulator, try a PC-based simulation program like Microsoft Flight Simulator.  If you really like that, there's a good chance that you might enjoy flying for real, so you might consider going for a pilot's license (or even a flying career).

Answer 4

Any flight sim is going to leave you with some gap as to the actual feel of the aircraft. Even though they can replicate the forces needed to control the plane.. there is still a lag between the motion and the sim itself. Ask any pilot or sim instructor and they will all tell you the same thing...  the lag in the visual display (which is a LOT better than it once was) in full motion commercial sims is something you have to deal with... and you can watch all the guys come through... and they will fly a perfect approach, and as soon as they attempt to take over visually... the lag gets them. They pull back to flair, and nothing happens... so they pull back more, and now it is too much.. and many times they end up crashing the sim.

Obviously this doesn't happen in real cockpits... so the instructors know it's coming and try to coax you through it your first few times...and tell  you just don't move the yoke.. hold what you have... and it takes a lot of nerve to do what he says... but... he sits there and does it 5-6 days a week.. so you believe him... and sure enough... it works out fine.

Sims do not mimic landing characteristics very well.. and I have never been graded on a landing in a sim (and never NOT graded on a landing in the real airplane.. everyone judges the pilot's ability by the landing)

Answer 5

They are faking you out.  NO computer-based simulator is in any way at all similar to flying a real airplane.  Airplanes "feel the air" in a way you can only understand by flying one.  Airplanes give you a "feel for the controls" in the form of feedback in the controls from the action of the control surfaces.  No computer simulator can give you that, even with plastic control yoke and rudder pedals.  It just isn't possible for a computer screen and mouse to give you an inkling of what you will feel at the controls of a real airplane.

Real airplanes move forward and subject the pilot and passengers to bumps and bounces, and G forces of all kinds, great and small.  Airplanes move from side to side, and they also go both up and down.  You feel all of these motions, and have to learn the proper responses.

In a real airplane, you are responsible for your own safety and that of the general public.  It is a very adult process.

If you still aren't sure what I mean, go and get an introductory flight in a real airplane.  You will see in a minute or two what the difference is.

So yes, they are faking you out, and so are all computer simulators.  You won't know how badly they are until you fly the real thing!

Answer 6

Google is definately nothing like flying a real plane the closest you can get without actually flying would probably be flight simulator x

Answer 7

Totally unrealistic. You'll pick up all the bad habbits of piloting on it.