Flight Simulator

Flight Simulator Web App

This demonstrates the effects of basing decisions on a lagged indicator.

The demonstration that follows simulates speed control in a glider, but it is similar to flying a power plane at a constant power setting. When you pull back on the stick, the nose pitches up and the glider starts slowing down. When you push forward, the nose pitches down, and the glider starts speeding up.

Goal: keep your airspeed as close to 50 MPH as possible during a 20 second flight. The further your speed is from 50, the faster you will incur penalty points.

Controls: Pull back on your mouse to slow down, and push forward to speed up.

Hazards: If you exceed 100 MPH, the wings will come off, while if you drop below 30 MPH, you will stall.

Modes:

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules): You cannot see outside the cockpit. All control is based on the airspeed indicator which has a lag.

VFR (Visual Flight Rules): Although the airspeed indicator is still lagged, now you can see the horizon. Its position in the windshield responds immediately to the controls.

Calibrated: This mode displays lines on the windshield corresponding to various speeds.

Suggested Flight Training Program

1. Novice IFR: To get a feeling for the controls, select IFR and click Novice. You will start out too fast and must pull back to achieve 50 MPH. If you have never flown a plane you are very likely to experience Pilot Induced Oscillation (PIO) and crash. In the event that you survive your first 20 seconds of flight, record your penalty score.

2. Novice VFR: Again you will be going too fast, and must pull back on the mouse. This time focus your attention on the position of the horizon in the windshield, with just occasional glances at the airspeed indicator to try to calibrate the visual image with airspeed.

3. Novice Calibrated: Move the horizon just under the 50 MPH line and you will freeze the penalty counter. Airplanes do not have these lines painted on the windshield. It is up to the pilot to create them in their mind’s eye.

4. Expert Calibrated mode: You will now start out much too fast and need to pull back quickly without overshooting and stalling.

5. Practice makes perfect. You will quickly lose the need for the calibration lines and will be able to fly well in Expert VFR mode.

6. Expert IFR mode is tough. In fact getting an instrument rating takes about as long as getting a pilot’s license in the first place. If you master Expert IFR mode it’s an indication that you have wasted far too much time on this demo. Go back and keep reading the book!