It is so realistic now, they give you your rating checkflight in those things. The visual effects, the way the simulator flies has improved so much over the past 25 years it is incredible, even the motion is there for your body to sense the feelings, the same sensations as when you are in actual flight.
The problems they can throw at you are complex and it is all done in safety, as you are on the ground. The sim. instructor can create very real effects with all kinds of weather, system malfuctions and all sorts of combinations, for instance, situations like engine fires, cabin depressurization, engine out approaches into an airport with low minimums due to adverse weather, etc.
The flight simulators are nowadays a great training and checking tool!.
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