Flight Simulators

You have probably played the game in Microsoft's version. However the simulator we are talking about is the one used by both pilots in commercial airliners use and astronauts to train in.
Pilots are trained in all sorts of weather and different mechanical and electrical failures that may arise in to be aware and know how to react to the situation.
All pilots have to be ready for the unforeseen. You never know what may happen or when so this is the biggest reason for a simulator. They are also used in schools to teach future pilots how to fly and get themselves familiarized with the controls and movement the aircraft would make in the air.
In some schools even Microsoft Flight Simulator is used to learn for the first time potential pilots. So you may want to look into buying yourself a copy of you don't already have one. The latest version Microsoft has is Flight Simulator X Deluxe Edition. You get the entire experience right from the comfort of your own home. Push backs, watching the ground crew work, talking with air traffic, and other traffic in the sky. Of course the game does require you to have at least 15gb of disk space, Windows XP or Vista with 512 mb, (256mb for XP but more is better) and at least a 1 ghz processor to run. I suggest using a top notch computer to avoid freeze ups while you are flying or even worse while you are trying to land. Nevertheless the program is perfect for learning to fly if you can't afford like most of us a real actual simulator like NASA uses.

Cessna

The Cessna 172 is the most popular, most manufactured small light weight aircraft ever built. This aircraft is also widely used in teaching future pilots to fly. When you too decide to learn to fly this will probably be the airplane you will to end up flying.
The aircraft is a four seat passenger single engine high wing airplane. The first production models where delivered in 1956 and are still being made up to today 2007.
Even up to some of your airline pilots today that work for the major airline carriers have flown in a Cessna to start out their careers in aviation as well. It is the perfect plane to take your friends and family for a sight seeing tour or to travel to another state.
A few known facts about the 172 is that its cruising speed is between 105-125 knots depending on the engine and vintage. The older Cessnas had a 145 horsepower engine and later airplanes had a 180 horsepower engine. However the 150-160 horsepower are more common with a service ceiling of 15,100 feet.
It is also an easy aircraft to learn how to fly in which makes it ideal for schools to use in teaching their own students.

Pilots license

So what does it take to get your pilots license? Well that all depends on the license you want since there are a few different types. There is your private pilots license to your recreational one and then there is yet another one for you to become an actual airline pilot.
If you are just looking to get your private pilots license or recreational one not for hire it can take you about 4-6 months to get if you go to school part-time. If you go full time then you could get it much quicker in about 2-3 months time. The requirements for this type of license is that you are at least 16 years of age, full knowledge of the English language and that you pass a class 3 medical exam.
Learning to fly is the best experience you will ever encounter in your life. The freedom to get in a airplane and just go and fly anywhere you want, you have to admit would be great.
Your recreational pilots license is about the fastest and easiest way to get to flying. This license will not allow you to fly at night which you would have to take an instrument ratings test in order to do that. To get yourself going with this type of license your looking in the neighborhood of about $4000-$5000 to get your private pilot or recreational license for non commercial usage. Of course you can take your friends and family with you if you choose.
For those of you choosing to become an airline pilot you too of course will start off with a private pilots license as well. The airline industry requires that pilots have extensive amount of hours to get hired. This is why a lot of graduates that get their pilots license become instructors. By doing this they accumulate flying hours for their log books.
The steps to becoming an airline pilot is as follows, first they obtain a private pilots license. After that they go for their instrument ratings exam. Next its on to getting their twin engine license. Yes, when you go for your private pilots license its for a single engine.
New pilots become instructors to accumulate flight hours for their log books. To become an airline pilot there is another special schooling to learn about jet/turbine engines. These types of engines are a different beast then turbo props that you first learn to fly.

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