flight training device

A flight training device, often referred to as a flight simulator, is a system designed to train pilots and crew members by replicating flight conditions. These devices are not intended to replace actual flight training entirely but to familiarize students with aircraft operations before they undertake expensive or risky real flights.

The Link Trainer, developed in 1929, was an early, effective simulator that allowed pilots to practice "blind" flying using instruments alone. Modern simulators precisely replicate aircraft cockpits, controls, and external environments, often using motion platforms to create a realistic flying sensation. They are particularly valuable for training crews in emergency situations that would be too dangerous to practice in actual aircraft. Flight simulators are also more cost-effective than using real aircraft for routine training and proficiency checks.123

An "instrument rating" is a license that authorizes a pilot to conduct instrument flying.4