The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development

Hurşit Deniz Özerdoğan; Tamer Savaş

doi:10.5281/zenodo.21065830

The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development

Abstract

With the advancement of technology and the growing interest in aviation, pilot training has become increasingly complex and multidimensional. This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine the effects of flight simulators on pilot training and pilots’ career development. The PRISMA 2020 model was applied, and academic publications published between 2000 and 2024 were reviewed using the Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Based on the identified keywords, an initial total of 372 studies were identified. After eliminating duplicate, irrelevant, and methodologically inadequate studies, 112 studies were included in the final analysis. The findings indicate that simulator usage is addressed within three main dimensions: training, cost, and career development. Within the training dimension, the contributions of simulators to flight safety were also evaluated. The results revealed that flight simulators provide significant benefits in pilot training, including the development of technical skills, the reduction of risks, and the optimization of training costs. However, disadvantages such as the high cost of simulators and their limited accessibility were also highlighted. The study emphasizes that future research should address technical, flight safety, and financial dimensions in an integrated manner and recommends the development of comprehensive collaborations and support mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of simulator-supported training models.

Keywords

References

University of Iowa (2019). A comparison of pilot upset recovery performance in simulation and flight. [online]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17077/etd.005195
Adanov, L. M., Macintyre, A., & Efthymiou, M. (2020). An exploratory study about the Challenges with Pilot Training and Recruitment in Europe. International Journal of Aviation Science and Technology, vm01(is02), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.23890/ijast.vm01is02.0201
Herchko, D.A. (2012). Background factors that affect pilot success in regional airline training. Master’s thesis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Scholarly Commons. Available at: https://commons.erau.edu/edt/81
Aleksandrovich, K.V. (2024). ‘Methods of effective training of trainee pilots for co-pilot work’, The American Journal of Engineering and Technology, 6(8), pp. 48–54. Available at: https://doi.org/10.37547/tajet/Volume06Issue08-06
Allerton, D. (2009). Principles of flight simulation. Chichester, UK: Wiley. (Aerospace Series (PEP))
Amornpipat, I. (2023). ‘The literature review for implementing competency-based training and assessment (CBTA) for Thai pilots’, in Proceedings of the 15th Hatyai National and International Conference, Kasem Bundit University, Aviation Personnel Development Institution, pp. 234–242.
Al-Romaithi, S.A.K. (2006). An airline ab initio flight training program in the United Arab Emirates (UAE): An analytical approach toward Emiratization [Master’s thesis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University]. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Theses Archive. Available at: https://commons.erau.edu/db-theses
Arch, D.D. (2007). ‘A comparative analysis of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 141 flight programs’, International Journal of Professional Aviation Training & Testing Research, 1(1).

Avendaño, G. and Wilkins, K.J. (2024). ‘An exploratory review of transfer policies for certified private pilots in collegiate flight programs’, Collegiate Aviation Review International. Available at: https://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view/9973/8818
Aydoğan, S. (2023). Havayolu sektörüne yönelik “EASA” düzenlemelerine genel bakış. Cappadocia University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.35250/kun/9786054448654
Balcerzak, T. and Kostur, K. (2018). ‘Flight simulation in civil aviation: Advantages and disadvantages’, Revista Europea de Derecho de la Navegación Marítima y Aeronáutica, 35, pp. 35–62.
Beckman, W.S., Callender, M.N., Gossett, S., Dornan, W.A. and Craig, P.A. (2008). ‘Moving FITS training from the laboratory to the flight line’, Collegiate Aviation Review, 26(1), pp. 20–27.
Biertümpfel, F., Annon, C. and Pfifer, H. (2024). ‘Hands-on flight dynamics and controls teaching using flight simulators’, IFAC-PapersOnLine, 58(16), pp. 241–246. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifacol.2024.08.493
Blackmon, M.H. and Polson, P.G. (2002). ‘Combining two technologies to improve aviation training design’. Available at: http://www.tricom-tech.com/products.htm
Boztaş, Ö. (2012). Determining a strategy for favorable acquisition and utilization of complex technologies: Flight simulation training devices (FSTD). Master’s thesis, Middle East Technical University. Middle East Technical University Theses Archive.
Broach, D., Schroeder, D. and Gildea, K. (2019). Best practices in pilot selection: Final report. Available at: http://www.faa.gov/go/oamtechreports
Bürki-Cohen, J., Sparko, A.L. and Bellman, M. (2011). Flight simulator motion literature pertinent to airline-pilot recurrent training and evaluation.
Callender, M., Gossett, S. and Dornan, W. (2009). ‘Results from the first FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) commercial pilot training course – a student’s perspective’, in International Symposium on Aviation Psychology. Available at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/isap_2009/39
Cookson, S. (2008). ‘Flight operations at J.F. Oberlin University: Why are we training commercial pilots?’, Obirin Today, 2008, pp. 215–224.
Corman, R.J. (2023). Addressing the pilot shortage: Funding flight training at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Doctoral dissertation, Western Carolina University. Western Carolina University Graduate School.
Çınar, N. (2021). ‘İyi bir sistematik derleme nasıl yazılmalı?’, Online Türk Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 6(2), pp. 310–314. Available at: https://doi.org/10.26453/otjhs.888569
Dahlström, N. (2007). Lund Institute of Technology; Air Force Meteorologist (officer’s education in combination with BSc below), 1993; Bachelor of Science in physics and meteorology. Available at: http://www.aviation.vgtu.lt
Daniels, J.T. (1903, December 17). Wright Brothers first flight, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. U.S. Library of Congress.
De Cino II, T.J. (2016). A usability and learnability case study of glass flight deck interfaces and pilot interactions through scenario-based training (Doctoral dissertation). Nova Southeastern University, College of Engineering and Computing. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
Dekker, S.W.A. (2011). ‘Pilots, controllers and mechanics on trial: Cases, concerns and countermeasures’, in Wilborn, S.B. (ed.) Human factors and aviation safety: Cases, concerns and countermeasures. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing, pp. 117–130. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/48381508
Dinçer, M.S. (2023). ‘Sivil havacılıktaki uçuş operasyonlarında pilotların bilgiye dayalı karar alma süreci’, Bilgi Yönetimi, 6(1), pp. 75–90. Available at: https://doi.org/10.33721/by.1294548
Dinçer, N. (2023). ‘Elevating aviation education: A comprehensive examination of technology’s role in modern flight training’, Journal of Aviation, 7(2), pp. 317–323. Available at: https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1279718
Doolittle, A.C. (2013). A descriptive analysis of public comments submitted in response to notice of proposed rules on air carrier pilot qualification. Master’s thesis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Scholarly Commons. Available at: https://commons.erau.edu/edt/46
Dornan, W.A., Craig, P.A., Gossett, S. and Taylor, H. (2006). Best evidence for the FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) program for pilot training in technically advanced aircraft. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Center for General Aviation Research (CGAR).
Dubena, R. and Thomas, R.L. (2024). ‘Time and cost to complete instrument training based on flight block times’, Collegiate Aviation Review International, 42(1). Available at: https://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view/9762/8777
Duggar, J.W., Smith, B.J. and Harrison, J. (2009). ‘International supply and demand for U.S. trained commercial airline pilots’, Journal of Aviation Management and Education, pp. 1–16. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237113043
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (2020). Easy access rules for aircrew (Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, Part-FCL).
Fanjoy, R. (2002). ‘Collegiate flight training programs: In search of cognitive growth’, Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research. Available at: https://doi.org/10.15394/jaaer.2002.1296
Federal Aviation Administration (2018). Aviation accidents statistical graph showing that 80 percent of all aviation accidents. FAA Handbooks and Manuals page.
Galant, M., Nowak, M., Kardach, M., Maciejewska, M. and Łęgowik, A. (2019). ‘Using the simulation technique to improve efficiency in general aviation’, AIP Conference Proceedings, 2078. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5092100
Gleb, C., Morales, L., Son, J., Tilney, T., Uyehara, R. and Diels, E. (2014). ‘Attitudes toward the practical incorporation of scenario-based training (SBT) into a commercial pilot training syllabus: A preliminary study’, Collegiate Aviation Review, 23(1). Available at: http://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/fits/research/media/SBT_final.pdf
Gorowsky, H. (2019). ‘The pilot shortage explained’, Perpetua: The UAH Journal of Undergraduate Research, 3(2), pp. 15–26. Available at: https://louis.uah.edu/perpetua/vol3/iss2/2
Graham, M.R. (2017). A case study of instructional methods used for private pilot certification at Utah Valley University Flight School (Master’s thesis, Brigham Young University). BYU ScholarsArchive. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6601
Ivan, K. and Jana, K. (2012). ‘Selected information on flight simulators - main requirements, categories and their development, production and using for flight crew training in the both Slovak Republic and Czech Republic conditions’, INCAS Bulletin
Kozuba, J. and Bondaruk, A. (2014). ‘Flight simulator as an essential device supporting the process of shaping pilot’s situational awareness’, in Proceedings of the International Conference of Scientific Papers (AFASES 2014), Air Force Academy, Brașov, Romania, 22–24 May, pp. 695–714.
Lazic, D.A., Grujic, V. and Tanaskovic, M. (2022). ‘The role of flight simulation in flight training of pilots for crisis management’, South Florida Journal of Development, 3(3), pp. 3624–3636. Available at: https://doi.org/10.46932/sfjdv3n3-046
Longridge, T., Bürki-Cohen, J., Go, T.H. and Kendra, A.J. (2001). ‘Simulator fidelity considerations for training and evaluation of today’s airline pilots’, in Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Columbus, OH: The Ohio State University, pp. 1–7.
Marques, E., Carim, G., Campbell, C. and Lohmann, G. (2023). ‘Ab initio flight training: A systematic literature review’, International Journal of Aerospace Psychology, 33(2), pp. 99–119. Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/24721840.2022.2162405
Michael, B., Harry, Q., Clarke, J., Lee, S., Walia, K. and Leib, S. (2022). ‘An exploration of the relationship between flight simulator performance and achievement of solo flight among Australian aviation students’, Collegiate Aviation Review International. Available at: http://ojs.library.okstate.edu/osu/index.php/CARI/article/view/8741/8432
NASFL Museum. Link Trainer Flight Simulator. NASFL Museum. Retrieved September 23, 2025, from https://www.nasflmuseum.com/link-trainer-flight- simulator
Nowakowski, H. and Makarewicz, J. (2018). ‘Flight simulation devices in pilot air training’, Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport, 98, pp. 111–118. Available at: https://doi.org/10.20858/sjsutst.2018.98.11
Oolbekkink, B. (2006). ‘Flight simulation for the PC-21 project’. In Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS 2006). Hamburg, Germany: International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences.
Orlady, L.M. (2010). ‘Airline pilot training today and tomorrow’, in Kanki, B.G., Helmreich, R.L. and Anca, J. (eds.) Crew resource management. 2nd edn. Academic Press, pp. 469–492.
Page, R.L. (2000, May). ‘Brief history of flight simulation’. In SimTecT 2000 Proceedings (pp. 1–11). Simulation Industry Association of Australia.
Possebon, M.T. and Galvão, M.C. (2023, October). ‘Ab-initio pilot training model combinating scenario-based training with simulator and real flight’. Proceedings of SIT2265 Conference. ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377413929
Robertson, C., Petros, T. and Schumacher, P. (2005). Scenario-based training, training module – Inspectors: A guide for inspectors, designated examiners, and flight instructors on the implementation and philosophy of FITS (Version 1.0). University of North Dakota.
Savaş, T., Özdemir, U., & Esen, Y. E. (2025). The role of flight simulators in pilot training. Journal of Aviation, 9(1), 137–145. https://doi.org/10.30518/jav.1588557
Sivil Havacılık Genel Müdürlüğü (2025). Pilot lisansı almak için uçuş okullarına başvuracak öğrenci adaylarına yönelik duyuru. Ankara: SHGM. Available at: https://web.shgm.gov.tr (Accessed: 23 September 2025).
Şimşek, E. (2010, 16–18 September). Çoklu performansa dayalı pilot seçim ölçütleri. III. Ulusal Havacılık ve Uzay Konferansı (UHUK 2010), Eskişehir, Turkey.
Taylor, H.L., Talleur, D.A., Emanuel, T.W. and Rantanen, E. (2005). Effectiveness of flight training devices used for instrument training. Prepared for Federal Aviation Administration, Atlantic City International Airport, NJ. Cooperative Agreement DOT 2002-G-033.
Ünlü Timurkaynak, T. (2010). Türkiye havacılık sektöründe uçuş simülatörü kullanımı ve simülatör sertifikasyonu çalışmaları. IX. Ulusal Uçak, Havacılık ve Uzay Mühendisliği Kurultayı Bildiriler Kitabı, pp. 62–78.
Vidakovic, J., Lazarevic, M., Kvrgic, V., Vasovic Maksimovic, I. and Rakic, A. (2021). Flight Simulation Training Devices: Application, Classification, and Research. International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 22(4), pp. 874–885. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42405-021-00358-y
Wang, H., Hartmann, S. and Durak, U. (2018). Design and Development of Research Aviation Training Device. Available at: https://www.scilab.org/scilab/gallery/xcos Accessed 26 Nov.
Wiggins, M.E. and Crognale, M.W. (2004). Use of training devices in general aviation training programs. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 48(1), pp.2103–2107. https://doi.org/10.1177/154193120404801915
Yavuz, N. (2022). SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW IN SOCIAL SCIENCES. Pamukkale University Journal of Social Sciences Institute. https://doi.org/10.30794/pausbed.1134606
Yıldız, A. (2021). Sistematik literatür taramasına bir araştırma metodolojisi olarak genel bakış. Journal of Scientific Perspectives, 5(1), pp.185–200. https://doi.org/10.47750/jsp.2021.5.1.13
Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı (YKS) Yükseköğretim Programları ve Kontenjanları Kılavuzu 30 Temmuz 2025. Ölçme, Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi (ÖSYM). Available at: https://ais.osym.gov.tr
Zhu, S. and Chen, J., 2024. Comparative Study on Flight Training of Chinese Airline Pilots at Home and Abroad. Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences, 9(1). Available at: https://doi.org/10.2478/amns-2024-0754

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Air Transportation and Freight Services

Journal Section

Review Article

Authors

Hurşit Deniz Özerdoğan ^*
Türkiye

Tamer Savaş
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

February 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 22, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21065830

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA63CR32PN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Özerdoğan, H. D., & Savaş, T. (2026). The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development. Research in Aviation Management (RAM), 6(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21065830

AMA

1.Özerdoğan HD, Savaş T. The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development. Research in Aviation Management (RAM). 2026;6(1):1-23. doi:10.5281/zenodo.21065830

Chicago

Özerdoğan, Hurşit Deniz, and Tamer Savaş. 2026. “The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development”. Research in Aviation Management (RAM) 6 (1): 1-23. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21065830.

EndNote

Özerdoğan HD, Savaş T (June 1, 2026) The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development. Research in Aviation Management (RAM) 6 1 1–23.

IEEE

[1]H. D. Özerdoğan and T. Savaş, “The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development”, Research in Aviation Management (RAM), vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 1–23, June 2026, doi: 10.5281/zenodo.21065830.

ISNAD

Özerdoğan, Hurşit Deniz - Savaş, Tamer. “The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development”. Research in Aviation Management (RAM) 6/1 (June 1, 2026): 1-23. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21065830.

JAMA

1.Özerdoğan HD, Savaş T. The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development. Research in Aviation Management (RAM). 2026;6:1–23.

MLA

Özerdoğan, Hurşit Deniz, and Tamer Savaş. “The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development”. Research in Aviation Management (RAM), vol. 6, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 1-23, doi:10.5281/zenodo.21065830.

Vancouver

1.Hurşit Deniz Özerdoğan, Tamer Savaş. The Effects of Flight Simulators in Pilot Training: A Systematic Review on Safety, Economic Impact and Professional Development. Research in Aviation Management (RAM). 2026 Jun. 1;6(1):1-23. doi:10.5281/zenodo.21065830