The simulator is only as good as the software development that went into it and that would logically focus on the common parameters and conditions that might be expected. How useful then would a simulator be at flying near the outer limits of what a given plane might do, which is invariable more complicated. It’s not magic going on in that computer simulator, so then how valuable would it be to a very seasoned pilot with 18,000 hours. I’m sure any pilot worth his salt could test the simulator and find flaws at more extreme parameters.
I just wonder realistically how valuable is the simulator outside the come parameters which this pilot already has 18,000 hours experience? That’s a lot of experience and intuition.
I think the simulator may be a red herring.
Make that: ...is the simulator outside the “common” parameters which this...
In other words, if I pulled off a barrel roll in a simulator would that really equate to reality? It comes down to the programmer’s interpretation of the physics of flying and at what point do you call it a day...who does a barrel roll in a 777 anyway?