When it comes to flight simulation, there are many different levels of equipment that produce varying levels of realism. We chose the DCX MAX made by Precision Flight Controls, Inc. because of its ability to accurately replicate the sensation of flight. It uses “Dynamic Control Loading”, which means that as the airspeed changes, the controls respond accordingly, just like a real airplane. It also gives you the correct responses to configuration changes like extending flaps or the landing gear. The DCX MAX uses five 40″ color monitors with 225 degrees of view and when combined with the full motion system, you really get the feeling that you are in the sky!

For instrument and advanced multi engine work, the DCX MAX excels. We use the Garmin 530 GPS. Full 2 axis autopilot with altitude preselect and vertical speed control. It has a lot of avionics equipment that is not normally seen in the average trainer; RMI, ADF, DME and HSI are all available at the click of a mouse. The aircraft can be quickly repositioned on the map as well as the ability to fly anywhere in the world. This is a great advantage because it saves so much training time compared to doing the same thing in an airplane. You can start it on the ground, taxi out, run up and takeoff or position yourself on the end of the runway or start in flight, on a ten mile final, wherever you want to go, the MAX can take you there!

Weather conditions are easily adjusted from clear skies to below IFR minimums. Rain, snow, wind, inflight icing, day or night are just a few of the things you can safely experience in the Flight Simulator.

When I first got my license, they told me you start out flying with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The idea being to fill up the experience bag before the luck bag ran out. After flying and instructing for over forty years, I can promise you that there is no luck involved in this business. It is knowledge and skill along with the proper approach to flying that keeps you safe in the airplane. What my instructor really meant was that there are potential emergencies and malfunctions that can happen and that was where the luck part came in. We aim to change that dramatically by using Simulators to create realistic emergency scenarios that will put some experience in your bag BEFORE it actually occurs. This is where the DCX MAX shines again! With over 100 different types of malfunctions and failures, you will feel like the pros do when they encounter a problem in the air…. Confidence! This component of flight simulator training cannot be over stated. The pros train for everything and so should you!