Simulators: Workhorses of the Aviation Sector

India's expanding aviation scene will see the need for more flight sims and even small companies are seeing an opportunity here

- SHOBHA JOHN

The galloping Indian aviation market has seen a growing demand for simulators. With airlines expanding and needing more pilots, their training on simulators, or sims, will also burgeon.

Simulators are completely identical to the cockpit of an actual plane, including flight management systems, displays and avionics. They are used for initial, refresher, recurrent, transition, upgrade of pilot training.

SIM MARKET

Simulator technology advances, particularly in computer technology, during the last two decades have had a major impact on pilot training. According to Fortune Business Insights, known for its comprehensive market studies, the global flight simulator market in 2024 was $5.90 billion; in 2025, it was $6.21 billion and in 2032, the forecast is for $8.59 billion. That is a compound annual growth rate of 4.7% from 2025-2032.

North America dominates this market with a 35.76% share in 2024, with Full Flight Simulators (FFS) leading the pack. Simulators are of different sizes and ranges depending on their use. China, France and Spain too are good markets for flight sims.

However, the Asia Pacific region is projected to be the fastest-growing market in the coming years. A high demand for skilled pilots in India, China, Vietnam and Indonesia, rapid expansion of low-cost carriers and expanding fleet will fuel the demand for more simulators.

REALISTIC SCENARIO