Investing in a flight simulator is a strategic decision that directly impacts the safety, efficiency, and profitability of any flight school or air operator. However, the market offers a complex range of devices, from FNPT and FTD to FFS.
How do you know which device is the right fit for your operations? The key lies in a methodical analysis process that goes beyond the initial cost.
This definitive guide will help you navigate the selection process and ensure your simulator investment generates the maximum possible ROI.
Define your training scope and regulatory compliance
The most critical factor is defining what you need to train. This dictates the required certification level.
1.1. Identify the scope of training
Clearly define the main objective of your flight simulator:
- Initial training (Ab Initio): lower fidelity devices may suffice for the initial phases of instrument flight and procedures.
- Recurrent and proficiency training: if the goal is annual checking, familiarization with complex systems, or recurrent training, a higher level of fidelity is required.
- Critical mission training (HEMS, SAR): complex, low-margin-of-error operations demand the highest fidelity and certification.
1.2. The Certification Level: FNPT, FTD, or FFS
Regulation (EASA, FAA, etc.) defines the level of flight simulator necessary to credit specific flight hours:
- FNPT (Flight and Navigation Procedures Trainer): focuses on basic instrument training and navigation procedures, commonly used for initial IR hours and ab initio phases.
- FTD (Flight Training Device): used for training in systems, proficient training, and mission training. These devices offer an exact cockpit replication but do not necessarily require a motion system.
- FFS (Full Flight Simulator): provides maximum fidelity and immersion, essential for Type Rating qualification and comprehensive emergency training, and includes a full motion platform. You can find more details about our Full Flight Simulators here.
We Know the Regulations: we are experts in EASA and FAA regulations. At Entrol, we accompany our clients to ensure their device certification precisely matches their operational goals.
Quantify your current training costs
To effectively build the business case for your simulator investment ROI, you must first quantify your current operational costs:
- Aircraft Usage Cost: total expenses for flight hours, fuel, insurance, and routine/non-routine maintenance.
- External Simulation Rental: cost per simulator hour, plus hidden costs like crew travel, accommodation, and lost productivity time.
- Availability: how does low access to nearby simulators affect your crew scheduling and training throughput?
By consolidating these expenses, the investment in a dedicated flight school simulator (in-house) often reveals an immediate financial advantage.
Defining the business case and maximizing ROI
The simulator investment ROI is secured not just by saving money, but by generating value:
- Direct Operational Savings: the in-house simulator hourly cost is significantly lower than real aircraft time, drastically reducing spending on fuel and maintenance.
- Revenue Stream: a certified FNPT, FTD, or FFS can be leveraged to generate income by renting hours to third-party operators or smaller flight schools.
- Unmatched Safety & Competency: enables training for high-risk, “cannot-fail” scenarios (e.g., engine failure after V1) that are impossible to replicate in an aircraft, increasing pilot competence and safety margins.
Finding the ideal simulator provider
Once your requirements are clear, the final step is selecting a technology partner. A premium flight simulator provider must offer more than just a box:
- 100% Cockpit Fidelity: the simulator must perfectly replicate your specific aircraft’s layout and systems.
- Lifetime Partnership: look for dedicated technical support, guaranteed spare parts, and seamless integration of future updates.
- Technological Flexibility: ensure the device is built on a modular architecture that can adapt to new avionics, mission scenarios, and emerging technologies like VR/MR.
To help you make the best choice, we compiled a checklist of provider must-haves. Read more here: Key Factors in Finding the Ideal Flight Simulator for Training.
At Entrol, we specialize in delivering certified EASA/FAA flight simulators that align with your operational goals and maximize your ROI. Our engineering focus ensures your device is a training asset for decades.
Ready to secure the future of your pilot training?
