Flight Simulators in Spotlight

Increasingly realistic flight simulators would play a major role in averting commercial air disasters, according to federal aviation regulators. The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) would require that pilots be tested on more real-world emergencies that have triggered accidents in the past.

“This is a major effort to strengthen the performance of pilots, flight attendants and dispatchers all through better and enhanced training,” FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said.

In January, 2009, the new simulators were nixed because they were too costly. But the F.A.A. now says that their economic impact would be “minimal.”

The F.A.A. is giving airlines and others until July 19 to offer comments on the proposal. Because it could be amended, there is no date for when it will take effect.

 

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