Originally Posted by BDGERJMN

I won't answer specifically for A-10 pilots but in general the services have all experimented with low cost trainers/simulations that are PC based. The Navy used Microsoft Flight Simulator and T-34 profiles that were developed by a flight student. I dont know if those low cost trainers are still in place in the training command, but they were somewhat useful at that stage. For the most part they replicate procedural based training and do not have the fidelity in terms of mission computers/flight characteristics to properly emulate the aircraft. Even the high cost/fidelity simulators that we use in our training and workups are only good to a point.

Some years ago when fatigue/life expectancy really became an issue for many of our air frames, senior leadership (Navy and I would assume USAF as well) set out on a course to replace actual flight hours with simulator hours and to some extent in some areas brought a return on investment (smart weapon training/EP proficiency). But, at the end of the day, and I'm sure many of my brethren here will agree, we can all count the number of times we've been scared or under stress in the sim on one hand, for me that's when the power went out. I say that in jest, but its true. While simulators can aid in procedures and in some case tactics instruction, no simulator time can truly replicate flying the jet and the decision making process that goes into each portion of each sortie flown.