Full Flight Simulator: where airline pilots learn to make mistakes safely!

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A Full Flight Simulator (FFS) is not a sophisticated video game; it is a full‑scale replica of a specific aircraft cockpit mounted on a multi‑axis motion platform, with systems, displays, sounds, and handling characteristics tuned to match the real aircraft closely across all phases of flight. Civil aviation authorities such as the FAA and EASA classify simulators in levels A through D, with Level D representing the highest standard: full motion, high‑definition visuals, and very tight performance tolerances, enabling, in some cases, full type ratings to be completed with zero flight time in the actual aircraft. The objective is for the trainee pilot to transition directly from the simulator to line flying under supervision (LIFUS) with zero flight hours on the actual aircraft type, hence the designation “zero flight time.”

For pilots, this means a controlled environment where they can train for situations that would be unacceptable to “try out” on the line: multiple failures, high‑speed rejected takeoffs, approaches in severe weather, complex systems malfunctions at peak workload, and demanding CRM and decision‑making scenarios. Modern FFS programs are increasingly built around evidence‑based training (EBT) principles, as described in ICAO guidance (Doc 9995) and implemented under EASA and FAA oversight, focusing on the competencies and scenarios that operational data show to be most safety‑critical, such as automation management, situational awareness, leadership, and communication.

From a regulatory standpoint, full flight simulators fall under the broader category of flight simulation training devices (FSTD), with detailed requirements for initial qualification, ongoing fidelity checks, and the use of flight‑test data and software updates whenever the real‑world fleet changes. This framework ensures that what you practice in the simulator closely matches what the aircraft will do in service, both in normal operations and near the edges of the performance envelope.

For instructors and training departments, that means each session can be relied upon not only to meet internal training objectives but also to satisfy regulatory requirements for training, checking, and currency.

For airline pilots, the key takeaway is that the full flight simulator is the laboratory where errors are allowed, dissected, and converted into learning before a single passenger is carried. In an environment where the industry must train hundreds of thousands of new pilots while maintaining and improving safety levels, using FFS not just as a regulatory checkbox but as a strategic tool for competency development and risk management is a core part of cockpit professionalism.

Safe flights

Captain Luiz Bassani

Book 1 of the WING OF KNOWLEDGE collection, titled INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION AND THE ROLE OF THE PILOT, has been released on Amazon and is available for online purchase in digital and hardcover (print) formats. This volume provides a clear and up-to-date perspective on the aviation domain, addressing the evolution of flight, the structure and operation of the aeronautical system, and the role of the pilot in modern aviation. It covers pilot training, certifications, responsibilities, and the challenges posed by the digital and sustainable aviation era. More than an introductory manual, the book establishes the conceptual and operational foundations that underpin the entire collection. It is intended for student pilots, aviation professionals, and enthusiasts who seek a deeper understanding of the pilot’s role within the contemporary aeronautical ecosystem. Please share this information with colleagues so that more people can benefit from this knowledge.

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1. Zero-flight time in aviation, commonly referred to as Zero Flight Time Training (ZFTT), is a type rating training concept in which all training is conducted in a full flight simulator, with no instructional flight hours in the actual aircraft before the skill test or the start of Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT/LIFUS).

Sources

• “Airbus—What is a Full Flight Simulator” and related training/simulator content.

• EASA—CS‑FSTD(A) and official FSTD pages (definitions, qualification levels, and fidelity requirements).

• FAA—14 CFR Part 60 and Appendix F (Full Flight Simulator and FSTD definitions, qualification, and use).

• ICAO / SKYbrary – Doc 9995 Manual of Evidence‑Based Training (use of FSTD in competency‑based training).​

• Technical and training provider material on modern FFS capabilities and their role in airline training.