Now that I’ve worked with Condor for a couple of years, I’ve come to appreciate the true value of this flight simulator program. It’s more than just a fun game. Although I am no longer an instructor pilot, and in fact, not even an active pilot, I am sharing my opinions as an experienced instructor pilot in various aircraft, including extensive use of modern flight simulators I have come to consider this program to be an essential part of every training program for new pilots – especially glider pilots.  That said I again caution the reader to recognize I have retired from actual flying.

I have completed a page here on this site that describes how to recover from unusual attitudes, spins and high speed spiral dives. Being able to recognize the difference between a high speed spiral and a spin in a timely manner is essential to a pilot’s survival. Being able to explain and demonstrate the consequences of doing a skidding turn from base leg to final, which inevitably is a fatal error – is invaluable. The skidding turn to final alone has resulted in the loss of life for dozens of pilots in the past 20 years.

Without the threat of actually losing their life or damaging the glider, pilots may repeatedly practice flying in the extremes of the flight envelope. Condor pilots can prepare for emergency scenarios and practice responding to them with the freedom to see the consequences of not performing properly.

With such first-hand experience flying in a low-stress environment, pilots in training gain confidence, skills, and proficiency in all necessary aspects of flying.

Flight simulation encourages pilot to practice even when not at the airport or in a classroom with a flight instructor. Condor is a powerful and affordable tool that every student pilot should be required to use for realistic training.