- Jan 15, 2026
- 7 min read
Behind the Scenes: How a Flight Simulator Is Built and Maintained
More Than a Screen and Controls
To many people, a flight simulator looks like a collection of screens, switches, and flight controls. In reality, a professional training simulator is a carefully engineered system designed to replicate the decision-making, workload, and procedures pilots face in real aircraft. At Solid Ground Aviation, every simulator is built with a clear purpose: to provide realistic, effective, and repeatable training that directly translates to the cockpit.
Designing the Simulator Around the Pilot
The build process starts with the pilot experience. Cockpit layouts are configured to mirror real-world aircraft as closely as possible, including control placement, avionics workflows, and sight lines. This allows students to build muscle memory and habit patterns that carry over seamlessly when they transition to flying the aircraft.
Flight modeling software is selected and tuned to reflect realistic aircraft performance, handling characteristics, and system behavior. From power changes to instrument response, the goal is not entertainment but training fidelity.
Hardware, Software, and Avionics Integration
A high-quality simulator relies on the integration of multiple systems working together. Control inputs, visual displays, avionics software, and instructor stations must communicate accurately and without delay. At Solid Ground Aviation, simulators are configured to support modern avionics training, allowing pilots to practice real-world workflows they will encounter in today’s aircraft.
Why Maintenance Matters in Simulator Training
Just like an aircraft, a simulator requires regular inspection, calibration, and updates. Control responsiveness, software versions, navigation databases, and system logic are routinely checked to ensure training accuracy. Small inconsistencies can lead to negative training, which is why ongoing maintenance is a critical part of simulator operations.
Training You Can Trust
Behind every simulator session is a significant amount of technical planning, testing, and upkeep. That behind-the-scenes work ensures that each lesson delivers consistent, reliable training value. At Solid Ground Aviation, we take pride in maintaining simulators that pilots can trust to build skills efficiently, safely, and with confidence. If you’re curious to experience how professional simulator training works firsthand, contact us today to schedule a session.