January 25, 2013
The Experiment, Part One
If you’ve fooled around with flight simulation software for your desktop computer, you know that it can be pretty realistic. You can “fly” just about any type of airplane, from almost any airport in the world. If you go the extra mile and add rudder pedals, a control wheel and a throttle to your setup, you’ve got everything except the full motion of a multimillion dollar simulator like the ones used to train airline pilots.
Before takeoff. That's me on the left, Tyler on the right.
Is it possible for a person to get proficient enough on this home software to be able to takeoff and land a real airplane — with no other instruction or experience? Recently, I came across a discussion on the internet by a 46-year-old electrical engineer in California who proposed that he could do just that. He said he had “tons of hours” on his flight simulation software and felt confident that he could fly an airplane around the pattern and land it safely.
I read his posting and the discussion it generated with great interest, and I even chimed in with my opinion. Flying a real airplane with only simulator experience isn’t impossible (the “Barefoot Bandit” apparently did it), but I have to think it’s extremely rare, and was firmly of the belief that this guy wouldn’t be successful. My reasoning was that the simulation software just doesn’t give the feel of the controls and the aerodynamic load on the control surfaces, which will change depending on the airspeed. Also, the software provides an artificially stable experience, whereas flight in a real airplane will provide completely different sensations.
The guy proposing this experiment, Tyler Sparks, already had an instructor lined up to fly with him, but as the online discussion continued, it seemed as if the flight would never take place. Finally, he posted that the instructor had backed out. At this point I was so interested in the experiment that I volunteered to be the instructor/safety pilot. There was no doubt in my mind that I’d have to take over the plane, but I wanted to see just how well he could do on his first time in a plane.
The basic rules for the experiment were laid out by Tyler in the first post of his online discussion:
The rules are that he [the instructor/safety pilot] will do all the preflight checks and the plane will be ready to go. He will communicate with the tower for clearance and such, and will taxi us out to the runway and line me up for take off. Weather will have to be clear and calm. After that, he can’t say or do anything to assist me, from the moment I push in the throttle. If we encounter any other air traffic, which is unlikely at this location, he will take over and, steer us clear, then I’m back on the controls. Once I (hopefully) land, he would take over and taxi us back to the parking area.
I talked to Tyler the week before heading out, just to cover some basics about the flight. The most important thing to me was his clear understanding that my main concern was safety and preventing any damage to the airplane. It was agreed that if I said “I have the airplane” at any time during the flight, he would relinquish controls without hesitation or discussion.
I flew out to meet him the day after Thanksgiving, and admit that I had some misgivings. There was really not much upside to this trip for me, other than satisfying my curiosity, and lots of downside if anything went wrong. Our rendezvous at the airport went as planned, and I was relieved to find that my initial impression from our phone conversations was confirmed. Tyler wasn’t some crazy kid. He was intelligent and very personable, and right away I felt better about my decision to participate.
We discussed the flight, reconfirming the “rules of engagement,” and it was agreed he would pick me up at 8:30 the next morning. I’ll post the rest of the story next week…
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Looking forward to hearing how this turned out!
Comment by Steve — January 25, 2013 @ 4:59 pm
Thank goodness Steve is writing this in the past tense, so I can assume SOMEBODY landed the plane safely… Now eager to find out who! As a private pilot with fixed wing and helicopter experience, as well as hundreds of hours in BOTH “real” and “cyber” aircraft, I suspect there was no trouble getting off the ground, then perhaps a few stall warnings in flight, and then a rapid reliquish of the controls to the real pilot on final approach..
Comment by Rick — January 27, 2013 @ 6:09 pm
Well…You got my attention Steve. Looking forward to next week!
Comment by Warren — January 27, 2013 @ 9:37 pm
As an 83 year old inactive private pilot with 200 hours logged over 50 years ago, I was given “command” of a flight simulator set up for the Cessna Skyhawk. My mentor- instructor pilot watched me very closely as I wallowed around quite a bit, but kept it under control and landed it sloppily but on the runway, my first simulator experience. Seeming a bit surprised, he announced, “OK, you’re flying my Skyhawk tomorrow”. Next morning, he put me in the left seat and talked me thru the startup and navigation procedures, but never once touched any controls as I taxied, took-off, cruised cross country, landed with a slight bounce with a throttle-burp recovery, taxied-in and parked. Elated, I walked on air afterward. It’s interesting that flying that simulator seemed considerably more difficult and intense than flying the actual Skyhawk.
Comment by Dave Thompson — January 28, 2013 @ 11:42 pm
At 80 years old, I’ve flown MS Flight Sim since the 1995 version. I’ve also had several hours at the controls of real light planes, made take offs, in the pattern, and approaches. Never a touch down due to different feel of the controls due to speed. Yes, I’d still like to land and have wondered, too, how much Flight Sim has helped. I’d be glad, though, of some instruction beforehand to get the feel of approach speed control sloppiness. Shame to want to do something all your life and then just not do it, especially when health seems like 20 years younger. Right?
Comment by James Baughman — January 29, 2013 @ 5:41 pm
I’ve logged many hours on Flight Simulator using a very amazing aircraft add-on product from PMDG which models the Boeing 747-400/8i in realistic detail including aircraft systems, autopilot (including auto-land), and the FMC. I’ve spent maybe 5 or so hours a month over the past 5 years learning the aircraft, its systems, and practicing at all phases of flight – right from my desktop computer. I have also watch flights from the cockpit and have studied training materials.
About a year ago I had an amazing opportunity to “fly” one at the British Airways training facility at Cranebank right next to London Heathrow Airport. I had a 4 hour session in a real, live, full motion 747 simulator used by the pilots to train. My BA pilot colleague who sat in the first officer seat was stunned as I entered all the information into the FMC for our flight to help prepare the aircraft. Although I needed help on learning how to use the tiller to taxi, once we got to the active runway I ran up the engines, engaged the auto-throttle and completed the take-off roll. He was speechless again. Once in the “air”, I was really able to get a feel for the controls which were somewhat similar to those on my desktop. He then asked me to land the aircraft and to follow his instructions as he acted as ATC. As I operated the autopilot he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. My first landing was almost 100% except flaring the 747 for real for the first time was a bit to learn (you are about 30+ feet higher than the wheels). However, my second landing was flawless.
I went back again 5 months later and stunned another BA pilot. Both experiences were awesome and the pilots I flew with were absolutely touch notch. What I would give to be in their profession!
I am anxious to see the results of Steve’s experiment. While I have never flown for real, I am confident after my 747 experience that I could. I only wish I could start with the 747
Comment by Drew Morrisroe — February 4, 2013 @ 10:37 pm
[...] …continued from Part One. [...]
Pingback by The Experiment, Part Two | The View From 30,000 Feet — February 6, 2013 @ 3:17 pm
I have been using FSX for years now and I always wondered if I could fly a Cessna 172. I will find out if it is possible in the next post!!
Comment by Mike Guay — February 9, 2013 @ 10:51 am