Using an FAA-approved Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) flight simulator offers numerous benefits to pilots and student pilots. These advantages include:

1. Cost-Effective Training

• Reduced Expenses: Simulators are much cheaper to operate than actual aircraft, eliminating fuel, maintenance, and wear-and-tear costs.

• Loggable Hours: A BATD allows pilots to log specific training hours towards FAA requirements, reducing the number of expensive flight hours needed.

2. Efficient Skill Development

• Focused Practice: Students can practice maneuvers, procedures, and emergency scenarios repeatedly without the limitations of airspace, weather, or aircraft availability.

• Faster Learning Curve: Complex concepts such as instrument approaches, cross-country navigation, or GPS operations can be taught more effectively in a controlled environment.

3. Improved Safety

• Emergency Training: Simulators allow for the safe practice of emergency procedures, such as engine failures, electrical system malfunctions, or severe weather conditions.

• No Risk: Mistakes made in a simulator have no real-world consequences, encouraging students to learn from errors without fear.

4. Flexibility and Convenience

• All-Weather Availability: Training can be conducted regardless of weather conditions, keeping lessons on schedule.

• Time Efficiency: Less setup time compared to pre-flight preparation and post-flight checks on a real aircraft.

5. Enhanced Instrument Training

• Realistic IFR Scenarios: A BATD is especially beneficial for instrument training, allowing pilots to practice approaches, holds, and enroute navigation in a variety of simulated weather conditions.

• Loggable IFR Time: Per FAA regulations, a portion of the required instrument training time can be logged in a BATD.

6. Scenario-Based Training

• Customizable Scenarios: Instructors can set up scenarios to replicate specific challenges a pilot may face, such as unusual weather patterns, system failures, or complex airspace navigation.

• Post-Flight Review: Some simulators allow for playback and analysis of performance, helping students identify and correct mistakes.

7. Environmental Benefits

• Sustainability: Training in a simulator reduces the carbon footprint associated with fuel consumption and emissions from actual flights.

8. Familiarization with Avionics

• Hands-On Experience: Students can learn how to operate advanced avionics systems, such as GPS or autopilot, in a low-pressure environment.

9. Regulatory Compliance

• FAA Approval: Since BATDs meet FAA standards, the training conducted in them is recognized for specific licensing and rating requirements, making it a valuable tool for progressing in a pilot's certification journey.

No. After your initial orientation session, you can use the simulator on your own at any time. The only time you need to have a CFI with you is if you plan to log your time towards your flight training requirements for your PPL or your IR. See Logging Time below.

When the simulator is used for instructional purposes, only an appropriately certified flight instructor may make endorsements and/or pilot logbook entries. Pilot time in the BATD may be logged as instruction received, instrument time, or total time. There is no maximum amount of time that can be logged, only a maximum that can be credited toward your certificate or rating. When the simulator is used for instrument currency logbook entries do not require a CFI. 

Refer to the FAA Letter of Authorization for the complete list of conditions and limitations.

See the Gleim YouTube video on how to log your sim time (below).

Up to 2.5 hours in the Gleim FE-BATD may be credited toward your flight training if received from an authorized CFI/I. 14 CFR Sec. 61.109(k)(1).

Up to 10 hours in the Gleim FE-BATD may be credited toward your Instrument Rating if training is received from an authorized CFII. 14 CFR Sec 61.65(i) .

You can maintain instrument currency in accordance with 14 CFR 61.57 just as you would in a real airplane. This essentially means flying 6 approaches, holds, and intercepting courses within the 6 months prior to a flight. Make sure you set up the weather conditions in the BATD to fly your approaches to minimums in order for them to count. 

If your currency lapses, there is a 6 month grace period that you can use to “get current” again. You can use the BATD to get current during the grace period. However, after the grace period has elapsed an IPC must be completed in an airplane. You can use the BATD to become proficient, and working with a CFII perform a "mock-" IPC, in preparation for doing the work in the aircraft.

Refer to the FAA Letter of Authorization for the complete list of conditions and limitations.

You can use the same email address that you are using for your other BookOurPlane flying clubs, but you need to use different passwords for each club. If you accidently set the same password as for another club, just reset your password and pick a new password. Then the password you login with will determine what club you access.