Editing Simulation (section)

===Flight===
{{main|Flight simulator}}

[[File:USMC-02023.jpg|thumb|A military flight simulator]]

Flight simulation is mainly used to train pilots outside of the aircraft.<ref name="FAR121">{{cite web|url = https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-121/subpart-n |title = FAR 121 Subpart N—Training Program|access-date = 28 April 2013|last = Federal Aviation Administration|author-link = Federal Aviation Administration|date = 25 April 2013}}</ref> In comparison to training in flight, simulation-based training allows for practicing maneuvers or situations that may be impractical (or even dangerous) to perform in the aircraft while keeping the pilot and instructor in a relatively low-risk environment on the ground. For example, electrical system failures, instrument failures, hydraulic system failures, and even flight control failures can be simulated without risk to the crew or equipment.<ref name="allertonCaseFlightSimulation2002">{{cite Q|Q112813480}}</ref>

Instructors can also provide students with a higher concentration of training tasks in a given period of time than is usually possible in the aircraft. For example, conducting multiple [[instrument approach]]es in the actual aircraft may require significant time spent repositioning the aircraft, while in a simulation, as soon as one approach has been completed, the instructor can immediately reposition the simulated aircraft to a location from which the next approach can be begun.

Flight simulation also provides an economic advantage over training in an actual aircraft. Once fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs are taken into account, the operating costs of an FSTD are usually substantially lower than the operating costs of the simulated aircraft. For some large transport category airplanes, the operating costs may be several times lower for the FSTD than the actual aircraft. Another advantage is reduced environmental impact, as simulators don't contribute directly to carbon or noise emissions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Advantages of Simulators (FSTDs) in Helicopter Flight Training|author=European Helicopter Safety Team (EHEST)|publisher=European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)|url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/HE-6-Advantages-of-simulators-in-Helicopter-Flight-Training-final.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221010/https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/HE-6-Advantages-of-simulators-in-Helicopter-Flight-Training-final.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-10 |url-status=live|access-date=2022-06-29|page=6}}</ref>

There also exist "engineering flight simulators" which are a key element of the [[aircraft design process]].<ref name="allertonImpactFlightSimulation2010">{{cite Q|Q112813532}}</ref> Many benefits that come from a lower number of test flights like cost and safety improvements are described above, but there are some unique advantages. Having a simulator available allows for faster design iteration cycle or using more test equipment than could be fit into a real aircraft.<ref name="allertonPrinciplesFlightSimulation2009">{{cite Q|Q112813340|p=13}}</ref>