# Airplane simulators: How can they be trusted?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-simulators-how-can-they-be-trusted/1027337
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 3, 2026, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-simulators-how-can-they-be-trusted/1027337 "2026-02-03T13:30:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-simulators-how-can-they-be-trusted/1027337/41 "2026-02-05T15:26:15Z")
> [@Francis\_Vaughan](#):
>
> A sim won’t be running CFD models. Rather empirical parameterised models that predict behaviour in real time based on a slew of measured and computed behaviour.
Exactly. Flight simulators are not design tools, they are the result of empirical testing and modeling of the finished product.
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### Author:  [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-simulators-how-can-they-be-trusted/1027337/42 "2026-02-05T16:21:55Z")
Those are helpful clarifications. Thank you.
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### Author:  [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-simulators-how-can-they-be-trusted/1027337/43 "2026-02-05T17:39:44Z")
> [@Irishman](#):
>
> The simulators under discussion are flight simulators that are training tools for pilots. They are intended to teach pilots what flight feels like, how systems respond, proper procedure, etc.
>
> Flight simulators are developed after the flight behavior for the design is understood.
No, I know what we are discussing. My point is that there is limited flight test data to validate stall behaviour in the simulator so an alternative is to have the simulator present certain characteristics that adequately train the pilots in acceptable recovery methods even if those specific characteristics aren’t fully faithful to the real aircraft.
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### Author:  [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airplane-simulators-how-can-they-be-trusted/1027337/44 "2026-02-05T19:25:30Z")
> [@Richard\_Pearse](#):
>
> No, I know what we are discussing. My point is that there is limited flight test data to validate stall behaviour in the simulator
Oh, yes, I agree.
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