The Pre-Flight Briefing - Pilot Shop Blog

We can’t all be in real-world cockpits every day, so the next best option is a personal flight simulator. Home flight simulator setups can be as basic as the simulator software paired with your existing computer keyboard and mouse although serious flyers typically include dedicated hardware components like yokes, throttle quadrants, and rudder pedals in their simulator configurations. It is all up to you.

Non-pilots may view flight simulators as nothing more than glorified video games, but serious pilots recognize and appreciate the value of the hands-on training opportunity. With flight time at a premium, the ability to build instrument flight rules (IFR) hands-on skills from home can be a powerful career-boosting asset.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now available, redefining realism with advanced AI, photo-real graphics, and real-time data. Discover how its robust tools and immersive features can take your piloting skills to new heights—all from the comfort of your home cockpit.

Choosing between the Turtle Beach VelocityOne and Thrustmaster TCA Boeing yoke for your PC/Xbox flight sim? Our comparison dives into the core differences: VelocityOne offers versatile, all-in-one control for varied aircraft, while the TCA Boeing delivers unparalleled realism specifically for Boeing airliners with its unique pendular yoke. We weigh features, feel, and value to help you decide which system best matches your virtual flying style and budget. Find your perfect flight controls today!

Quality flight sim hardware that doesn’t cost a fortune is at the top of many pilots’ gear wish lists. After all, flight time isn’t free. That’s why it simply makes sense to log hours of practice in the simulator so by the time we slide into the real-world cockpit, our muscle memory is there.