Flight Simulator Market

Global Flight Simulator Market Size (2024-2032):

The size of the global flight simulator market was worth USD 5.7 billion in 2023. The global market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2029 and be worth USD 9 billion by 2029 from USD 6 billion in 2024. 

Current Scenario of the Global Flight Simulator Market

A flight simulator is an excellent device that is used for pilot training purposes as it recreates aircraft flight where the trainers can easily understand all the applications of controls in flight. The design and development of the aircraft can also be improved by flight simulation. It also helps to evaluate various characteristics of the aircraft and flight controls. Also, in research centers, these flight simulators have an important role in manufacturing advanced versions of aircraft with advanced technology. In 1910, the first flight simulator was introduced and used to train new pilots with various skills in World War I and World War II. Flight simulators deliver better outcomes regarding flight control operations and other things to students and make it easy to handle actual aircraft after Training. At NASA Ames Research Center, the world's largest simulator is the so-called vertical motion simulator (VMS). This is a modern, high-end flight simulator and is best to use in shuttle programs.

MARKET DRIVERS

The rise in the adoption of the latest technological advancements in these flight simulators is making the simulation training teach the awareness of safety and increase skills.

The advancements are directing the practice in a natural flight experience by amalgamating AI (Artificial Intelligence) and virtual reality. The rising number of flight passengers across the globe is causing airlines to offer more commercial flight deliveries. Proportionally, with the increase in aircraft, the demand for new pilots is also growing. These flight simulators have been adopted to train these new pilots in a safe way. These are some of the significant factors for the growth of the global flight simulator market. Also, the ease of owning and maintaining these flight simulators, when compared to real airplanes, is very inexpensive. The factor of this inexpensiveness and safety while using them for a trainee are the reasons for the adoption of these simulators in the training industry.

Also, demand for a realistic way to train a trainee pilot is making airlines force these simulator manufacturers to develop their flight simulators. Due to this, new players in the market with innovative technologies are having an excellent opportunity for their growth.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

The stringent licensing process and complexities involved when acquiring advanced technologies are the major factors in the adoption of these simulators and cockpits of airplanes.

The high costs of these simulators and trainers like FAA Qualified Level 6& 7 FTD aka fixed-base simulators, which cost around $2 million, and FNPT II, Flight, and Navigation Procedures Trainer, which costs about $2.5 million, are the significant challenges that the Flight Simulator Market has to come over. The increase in investments in developing these flight simulators for more compatibility and Training in a more complicated situation with these simulators is creating opportunities in the market.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

The shortage of pilots in the aviation industry, especially in the US, leverages the need for new training sessions, according to the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement.

As per the reported study, by 2032, there will be a need for 5,400 more pilots only in the US, which will substantially elevate the need for highly advanced training sessions. The growing need for training sessions in the US is attributed to leveling up the growth opportunities for the flight simulator market.  

The prominence of the launch of innovative technologies to train pilots in the aviation industry is due to a surge in the growth rate of the market. In earlier days, training pilots was a great challenge, and the adoption of new technologies has given up huge scope for pilot training sessions. Flight simulators create an artificial environment to train pilots, enabling them to learn quickly and efficiently in less time. The trainee can even get critical training programs using this system, which is the most important aspect for any pilot to learn. This training system enables pilots to learn innovative skills that can be useful in any emergency situation.

MARKET CHALLENGES

The increasing economic crisis globally is ascribed to impeding the growth rate of the flight simulator market.

The post-pandemic scenario in many countries has altered the financial services, and the demand for the aviation industry is declining, which will pose a negative impact on the growth rate of the market in the coming years as well. It may take a few years for the aviation industry to sustain the economic losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the rising prominence of air traffic is ascribed to elevating the growth rate of the flight simulator market.

There is no doubt that flight simulators are excellent tools for training pilots, but limitations arise when analyzing the pilot’s acumen for a visual approach. There are a lot more pilots who should get trained in using flight simulators, which is a known factor that is challenging the market's key players.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Flight Simulator Market Analysis By Platform

The commercial aircraft simulator segment has been leading with the dominant share of the market for the past few years. The prominence of the launch of the most advanced flight simulators is eventually gearing up the segment’s growth rate. Microsoft is gearing up to launch an innovative and highly advanced flight simulator by 2050, while the Microsoft flight simulator was introduced in 2020. The company is deemed to launch new innovations in flight simulators with the most advanced technologies that are likely to grab the attention of many companies worldwide. MSFS2024 is a brand-new software entity that is designed by more than 800 developers. This software entity is expected to be more user-friendly and overcome the challenges of MSFS2020.

The narrow-body aircraft segment is expected to hit the highest CAGR by the end of 2029, owing to the rising number of airline passengers across the world. The demand to increase the capacity of the airlines due to eventually increasing passengers, especially in developed and developing countries, is substantially to promote the growth rate of the narrow-body aircraft market. Narrow-body aircraft have the capacity to provide seating for around 200 passengers. Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series are the most popular examples of this aircraft.

The wide-body aircraft segment is likely to have a prominent growth rate in the coming years. These aircraft have longer seating capacity than narrow-body aircraft, probably with two aisles per cabin that are designed for long-haul flights.

In this automation world, the prominence of unmanned aerial vehicle simulators is gearing up with new opportunities. Drones are common names for UAVs that can be operated without human pilots, crew, or passengers on board. Drones are becoming more popular in military missions. Advanced technology, attributed to the launch of the most popular drones, plays a popular role in military missions and eventually increases the safety of the soldiers.

In 2024, Myanmar’s army propagated the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) after suffering huge losses with opposition forces. This country purchased UAVs from China and Russia and is planning to integrate these systems into its arsenal. The use of UAVs shall provide security for civilians and perfectly deploy the target on the opposition.

Global Flight Simulator Market Analysis By Solution

On the basis of the solution, the services category is accounted for in holding the highest shares of the market. Hardware and software segments are expected to have the fastest growth rate in the coming years. Increasing pilot training institutes in military and commercial sectors will eventually make the market share move forward. In addition, a rise in the demand for cost-effective training procedures in both primary and regular training institutes is diminishing the growth rate of the market. Hardware and software solutions pose many opportunities for flight simulators. The frequently changing technologies in these solutions bring many benefits to aviation students. These advancements help companies launch high-quality flight simulators at relatively low costs.

Global Flight Simulator Market Analysis- By Type

On the basis of type, the Flight training devices segment is ruling with the largest shares of the market. The growing prevalence of promoting effective training sessions for students is leveling up the demand of the market. The full flight simulator segment is gearing up to lead the dominant share of the market. The National Aviation Authorities (NAA) are increasingly involved in supporting high-level flight simulators. US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency ( EASA) are coming forward to promote high-quality training sessions for new pilots using full-flight simulators. The flight simulator training segment is likely to have the dominant growth opportunities in the coming years.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

The North American flight simulator market has been leading with the dominant share for many years.

High per capita income and growing expenditure on the aircraft industry in developed countries like the US and Canada are ascribed to boost the growth rate of the market. The prominence of increasing training efficiency for pilots is sustainable in order to leverage the growth rate of the market in North America.

• On 02 May 2024, Sim-U-Tech signed an agreement to purchase Avion A320 Full flight simulators at WATS (World Aviation Training Summit).  Texas-based training organization is set to acquire a full flight simulator from Avion that enables the company to create a milestone mark toward global expansion. This flight simulator emerged with the most advanced technologies that emit very low carbon emissions, which is a predominant factor for the global expansion of the full flight simulator. The companies are optimized to deliver world-class training sessions for the new pilots with high efficiency.

Asia Pacific is registering the fastest growth rate and is anticipated to hit the highest CAGR by the end of 2029. China and India are the major countries contributing the largest share of the market. The presence of top companies in China is attributed to leveling up the growth rate of the market.

• In 2024, Simaero gained EASA certification for Changsha-based A320 full flight simulator in China. China Simulation Sciences (CSS) and Simaero collaborated together to launch innovative local aviation training with the full flight simulator, which received certification. This is the first in Hunan province to receive the certification from EASA, which eventually met the standards in aviation industries.

The aviation industry in China specializes in launching innovative applications with the most advanced technology, which is ascribed to boost the growth rate of the market. India's flight simulator is gaining huge traction in terms of market growth during the forecast period. The increasing support from government organizations through investments in the aviation industry subsequently elevates the growth rate of the market.

The Europe flight simulator market is expected to have the highest CAGR by the end of 2029. The rising need to use high-feature UAVs in army forces is likely to increase the growth rate of the flight simulator market. The prominence of giving support through advanced technologies to the German armed forces additionally fuels the growth rate of the market.

• In 2024, AirBus Helicopters gave the contract to the Thales to support German armed forces with 8 Full Flight Simulators Reality H. These flight simulators train H145M helicopter pilots along with the preparations for the missions. The largest European helicopter training center, Buckeburg International Helicopter Training Centre, shall provide full support for an initial three years with a dedicated team that helps pilots seek the highest level of realism and flexibility in FFS solutions.

The flight simulator market in Latin America has been growing at a steady pace for the past few years. The rising investments from both the public and private sectors to expand the scale of the aviation industry in emerging countries like Chile, Mexico, and others are attributed to gearing up the growth rate of the market.

• In 2024, Airbus Chile Training Centre (ACTC) welcomed its second A320 full-flight simulator with advanced training equipment. The ACTC was inaugurated in 2021 and has trained more than 100 pilots from Chilean carriers, such as LATAM Airlines, SKY JetSMART, and others.

Middle East & Africa flight simulators are predicted to have new growth opportunities in the coming years.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL GLOBAL FLIGHT SIMULATOR MARKET

Companies playing a prominent role in the global flight simulator market include Collins Aerospace (US), Flight Safety International (US), L-3 Communications (US), CAE (Canada), Boeing Company (US), SIMCOM Aviation Training (US), Frasca International (US), TRU Simulation + Training (US), Raytheon Company(US), Precision Flight Controls (US), and Others.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE  GLOBAL FLIGHT SIMULATOR MARKET

• In 2023, Collins Aerospace announced its new release of the Arcus training image generator that elevates the best training programs for the aircrew. The image generator is a combination of Collin’s advanced rendering and processing tools that deliver highly modular Training to pilots. It is generated by gaming technology that provides a realistic, complex synthetic environment.
• In 2024, Flight Safety International, Ohio Learning Centre, and TRU Simulation + Training Inc. jointly built a third Cessna Citation Longitude Full Flight simulator (FFS) that forwards realistic training experience for pilots. These two companies are committed to delivering strong and excellent innovative flight simulations with advanced technology that empowers new pilots to reach the skies confidently.
• In 2024, Akasa Air and CAE signed an agreement for Boeing 737MAX pilot training in India. For the next 15 years, CAE is going to deliver training facilities, instructors, and full-flight simulators.
• In 2024, TRU Simulation + Training unveiled the cutting-edge VERIS VR Flight Simulator to train pilots. This new flight simulator is an innovative solution to promote cost-effective training solutions for pilots. The Veris Simulator was unveiled in HAI Heli-Expo and was designed with the innovative feature of a full-flight simulator. The company also announced that soon the Bell Training Academy (BTA) will be using this simulator later this year.

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL GLOBAL FLIGHT SIMULATOR MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global global flight simulator market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on platform, solution, type, and region.

By Platform

• Commercial Aircraft Simulator
• Narrow Body Aircraft
• Wide-Body Aircraft
• Very Large Aircraft
• Regional Transport Aircraft
• Military Aircraft Simulator
• Combat Aircraft
• Transport/Tanker Aircraft
• Training Aircraft
• Special Mission Aircraft
• Helicopter Simulator
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Simulator

By Solution

• Products
• Hardware
• Software
• Services
• Hardware Upgrade
• Software Upgrade

By Type

• Flight Simulators
• Full Flight Simulators
• Flight Training Devices
• Flight Mission Simulators
• Fixed Base Simulators
• Flight Simulator Training
• Line Flight Training
• Virtual Flight Training

By Region

• North America 
• Europe 
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America 
• Middle East & Africa