flight simulator

American  

noun

1. a device used in pilot and crew training that provides a cockpit environment and sensations of flight under actual conditions.

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flight simulator British  

noun

1. a ground-training device that reproduces exactly the conditions experienced on the flight deck of an aircraft Compare Link trainer

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Etymology

Origin of flight simulator

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Attendees could try out a flight simulator, take a stroll through the hotel’s plane-turned-cocktail-lounge and get their Robinhood “passports” stamped at various stations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

It’s long been the annual return of Soarin’ Over California, the original rendition of the flight simulator attraction.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

"Instead, you'd have them practice on a very intricate flight simulator until they've learned enough to try out the real thing."

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

Boeing withheld this information to persuade the FAA not to require specific MAX flight simulator training for pilots who were flying an earlier 737 model.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2024

She tested in a flight simulator, easily conquering it.

From "Women in Space" by Karen Bush Gibson