Compound Annual Growth Rate Forecast At 4.2 Percent

The global flight simulator market size is expected to reach $6.4 billion by 2027, expanding at a revenue-based Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2%, according to a study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc.

Increasing adoption of Full Flight Simulator (FFS) owing to high fidelity and reliability is expected to provide adequate growth prospects over the coming years. Customers also opt for fixed Flight Training Devices (FTDs) on account of their low operational costs, modular approach, real-time aerodynamic aviation model, and remote configuration and management. The industry is expected to witness moderate growth over the forecast period owing to the aforementioned factors.

According to the report, the FFS product segment accounted for over 90% of the overall revenue in 2019 and is expected to witness a revenue-based CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. This growth is owing to features that provide motion, sound, visuals, and all other aircraft operations that create a realistic aviation training environment. The demand in civil applications is primarily due to rising air traffic coupled with the growing emphasis on passenger as well as pilot safety. Governments in several countries have enforced strict regulations regarding the use and significance of simulation training.

Europe accounted for more than 30% of the overall market share in 2019 and is expected to exhibit a modest growth over the next eight years due to the elevated enforcement of regulations pertaining to pilot training and passenger safety.

In the Asia Pacific region, the flight simulator market is estimated to exhibit a substantial growth over the forecast period in light of the growing aviation industry, resulting in increasing demand for aircraft simulators. The Middle East and Africa are also projected to showcase a substantial demand of over 5%, which is primarily attributable to the presence of carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar that are investing heavily in this industry.

Prominent industry players include CAE, Boeing, L-3 Link Simulation and Training, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, Thales and Saab. Industry participants rely on joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions in order to acquire greater financial, technical, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution expertise.

Grand View Research believes that the market is poised for growth, owing to advances in aircraft simulation technology that are expected to fundamentally alter pilot training. The need to effectively replicate real flight training with the use of motion and visual systems has resulted in the introduction of sophisticated simulators in the flight simulator market. An increase in government spending and growing security concerns, particularly in the military sector, is anticipated to escalate product demand significantly. The rising concerns over pilot training costs along with fluctuating fuel prices may further drive the market over the next eight years.

The design of aircraft simulators is based on the original cockpit configurations of respective aircraft models. Companies like Lufthansa Aviation Training offer simulators with cockpit designs from aircraft manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer. The company provides simulators with navigation trainers, which imparts practical instrument training by replicating different weather and environmental conditions. Technological advancements have significantly resulted in motion systems being converted from hydraulic to electric for improved fidelity and smoothness. Additionally, advancements such as the onset of advanced visual systems that offer more than 180-degree view in satellite quality of all important objects at the relevant airport is also anticipated to provide growth prospects in this industry.

(Source: Grand View Research news release. Images from file)

FMI: www.grandviewresearch.com