Austin Straubel Obtains FAA Flight Simulator

Austin Straubel International Airport is the new home to a state-of-the-art FAA flight simulator.

Student pilots can log hours inside the simulator that count toward getting their pilot's license.

Instructors say the simulator is very realistic and helps students learn what to do in certain situations before they actually take to the air in a real plane.

"The realism is almost the same as flying in an aircraft. We can simulate a bird strike, we can simulate icing, we can simulate carburetor icing," Alan Timmerman of Jet Air said.

A variety of students use the simulator, from those working toward a private pilots license all the way to commercial airline pilot students.