One of the latest trends in the flight simulator market is the development of portable simulators, which are primarily chosen by the military sector as they offer flexibility to be carried to the site. These simulators, in packages, are carried into training theatres to maintain the readiness of army personnel when they are not engaged in missions. While flight simulators offer a realistic recreation of flight conditions and aircraft pilot experience, they are unable to factor in the mental conditions or stress level when flying an actual aircraft. Furthermore, the experience of piloting certain aircraft may vary vastly between a flight simulator and the reality.
Regional Insights
North America is pegged to be a prominent market for flight simulators as the region – manufacturers and consumers alike – is an early adopter of technology. Asia Pacific is expected to witness the strong growth in the flight simulator market, due to the increasing demand from developing economies such as India and China. Europe, one of the largest markets for flight simulators, is mainly driven by stringent government regulations pertaining to pilot training and passenger safety. The LAMEA region is expected to witness healthy growth, owing to the region’s reduced cost of pilot training and focus on providing superior training to pilots as well as flight crew.
Market Segmentation
The flight simulator market can be segmented by type, flight type, and application.
On the basis of type, the flight simulator market can be segmented into Full Flight Simulator (FFS), Full Mission Simulator (FMS), Flight Training Devices (FTD), and Fixed Base Simulator (FBS). The Full Flight Simulator (FFS) segment is expected to register the highest growth rate during the forecast period, 2026.
On the basis of flight type, the market can be segmented into fixed wing, rotary wing, and unmanned aircraft. The unmanned aircraft segment is expected to dominate the flight simulator market, due to the increasing use in commercial as well as military sectors.
On the basis of application, the flight simulator market can be segmented into commercial and military. The military sector is projected to hold the largest market share, due to the extensive application of flight simulators for training purposes.
Competitive Landscape
Some of the major players in the flight simulator market are CAE Inc., L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc., FlightSafety International Inc., Thales Group, The Boeing Company, and Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Key industry players are focusing on collaborations with technology providers to enhance their product offerings and reduce time-to-market. Suppliers are channelizing efforts to improve Aircraft Simulation Technology (AST) in order to offer superior products. In addition, as a part of expansion strategy, many key players are focusing on mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their presence and widen their product portfolio.
In January 2018, L3 Technologies announced an expansion plan for its Link Training & Simulation multi-purpose pilot training center facility in Arlington, Texas, which provides simulation and instruction tools for both commercial pilots and military.
Flight Simulator Market
By Type
By Flight Type
By Application
By Geography