| Traditional Simulator (Level D) | CMA 9000 FMS Simulator | | :--- | :--- | | Costs $300–$1,000 per hour | Costs a one-time fee (~$100–$500) | | Fixed schedule, physical location | Available 24/7 on a laptop | | Focuses on aircraft handling | Focuses purely on FMS logic and procedures | | Requires instructor oversight | Self-paced, with scenario saving/loading |
The CMA 9000 simulator does not replace a Level D full-motion simulator for handling skills. However, it is arguably superior for procedural memory and “muscle memory” of the CDU keystroke sequences. When a pilot arrives for their expensive simulator session already fluent in the FMS, they can focus on flying the aircraft rather than searching for the right page.
In a military transport aircraft, the pilot is rarely just flying. They are communicating with command, managing countermeasures, and monitoring formation lights. The FMS simulator forces the pilot to manage the "box" while under pressure. Scenarios often involve rapid changes to the flight plan mid-descent, testing the pilot's ability to prioritize flying the aircraft over programming the computer.
For student pilots, the journey often begins on a laptop. The CMA-9000 Desk-Top Trainer is a software emulation of the physical Control Display Unit (CDU).
If you delete a waypoint or create a manual route that doesn't connect, the FMS displays ----DISCONTINUITY----.
In a simulator, you interact with the CDU. Key components include: