Variable Stability Flight and Ground Training

We provide pilots and engineers of all skill levels with hands-on experience in diverse aircraft handling and flight scenarios to enhance safety and understanding.
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VARIABLE STABILITY AIRCRAFT & GROUND SIMULATOR OPTIONS

Starting at $995
    • ½ day page starting at 995
    • Not a test pilot – no problem.
    • Be a safer pilot or engineer by choosing one of our in-flight safety demonstrations
    • Better understand your aircraft’s weight and balance. Safely experience various CG extremes. Discuss it, experience it. Try it in the ground simulator first then in flight
    • Alternatively, choose the simulated in-flight icing demonstrations leveraging years of NASA icing research on wing and tail plane stall
    • Upgrade to the full day package
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Two pilots training in flight simulator.

Variable Stability Aircraft & Ground Simulator Training Packages

A person operates a flight simulator with multiple screens displaying a flight scene.
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What is variable stability?

Variable stability aircraft utilize specialized aircraft with adjustable stability and control characteristics to simulate the handling qualities of various aircraft types during the same flight or to train pilots or engineers in specific flight scenarios in one aircraft. This training method allows pilots and engineers to experience a wide range of flying conditions and control strategies in a safe, controlled environment, enhancing their ability to handle diverse aircraft and situations.

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Why Flight Level Engineering?

At FLE, we’re driven by a singular purpose: make variable stability demonstrations accessible to any pilot or engineer at any skill level. Discover why FLE is the best value in VSS / In-flight simulation.

VARIABLE STABILITY SIMULATOR AND AIRCRAFT OPTIONS
COMING IN 2026
RESERVE YOUR DEMONSTRATION TODAY

½ Day Package

GOOD

$995

The ½ day package is the perfect amount of time for a quick introduction to variable stability training. This includes a ground school, variable stability ground simulator, and an actual variable stability aircraft in-flight experience.
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Most Popular

FULL Day Package

BETTER

$4995

The full day package allows you to dig into to 1 of our 6 syllabus. This includes a ground school, variable stability ground simulator, and an actual variable stability aircraft in-flight experience. After completing the
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5 Day Package

BEST

$14,995

The 5-day package includes a three-day ground school, 1 variable stability ground simulator sessions, and 1 actual variable stability aircraft in-flight experiences. You will pick 1 out of our 6 syllabus options. This includes every
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5 Day Package

PROFESSIONAL

This 5-day package is our professional option. This includes 3 ground schools, 3 variable stability ground simulator sessions, and 3 actual variable stability aircraft in-flight experiences. You will need to pick 3 out of our

Looking to customize a training with us? Get in touch today.

What to expect

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Ground School

A tailored ground school to your level of expertise. Our instructors specialize in variable stability and fly-by-wire research and development. This includes 15 years of teaching and 20 years of flying over hundreds of VSS demonstrations.

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Ground Simulator Session

A patient, knowledgeable, and component instructor who is willing to let you make mistakes and prepare you for your in-flight experience.

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In-flight demonstrations

A world class experience in a one-of-a-kind variable stability / in-flight simulator aircraft. The combination of safety and performance features in our aircraft will set you at ease and assist you during the flight.

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Debrief

A detailed de-brief will help resolve any questions you had during the flight and will leave you with a solid foundation for your next flight experience.

From the Video Gallery

Syllabus Options​

Longitudinal

  • Phugoid info
  • Short Period Natural Frequency
  • Short Period Damping Ratio
  • Longitudinal Center of Gravity
  • Maneuvering Stability
  • Feel System
  • DLC beep trim & automated sweep
  • Control System Lag Filter
  • Control System Lead/Lag Filter
  • Control System time delay
  • Handling qualities Evaluation

Lateral & Directional​ ​

  • Directional static stability
  • Lateral static stability
  • Dutch roll damping ratio
  • Dutch roll natural frequency
  • Dutch roll phi/beta ratio
  • Yaw due to lateral control
  • Roll mode time constant
  • Roll mode command gain
  • Side force beep trim & automated sweep
  • Control System Lag Filter
  • Control System Lead/Lag Filter
  • Control System time delay
  • Handling qualities Evaluation

Advanced Flight Controls – High Work ​ ​

  • Angle of attack command
  • Pitch rate command
  • Nz command
  • C*U command
  • Actuator rate limiting (pitch/roll)
  • Time delay (pitch/roll)
  • Handling qualities evaluation

Advanced Flight Controls – Landings ​ ​

  • Baseline Navion
    • Straight in landing info
    • Offset landing
  • Angle of attack command
  • Pitch rate command
  • Nz command
  • Unstable pitch
  • Sidestick
  • Time delay (pitch/roll)
  • Actuator rate limiting (pitch/roll)

Pilot Induced Oscillations – High Work ​

  • Discrete & Sum of Sines Tracking
    • Baseline Navion
    • Baseline “large” aircraft
    • Sluggish “large” aircraft
    • Non-linear Feel system elements
    • Time delay (pitch/roll)
  • Proverse Yaw and High Dihedral effect
  • Reduced stability due to CG change
  • Actuator rate limiting (pitch/roll)
  • High Command Gain (pitch/roll)
  • Boundary Avoidance Tracking (pitch/roll)

Pilot Induced Oscillations - Landings​ ​

  • Baseline
  • Reduced stick motion
  • Lag filter (pitch/roll)
  • Nonlinear pitch command gain
  • Time delay (pitch/roll)
  • Sensitive (pitch/roll)
  • Actuator rate limiting (pitch/roll)
  • Nonlinear forces & high dihedral effect

In-flight Icing​ ​

  • Baseline Navion
  • Pre-activation Ice Stall Demonstration
  • Baseline Twin Otter – 0 deg Flap
  • Baseline Twin Otter – 20/30 deg Flap
  • Twin Otter failed boot ice shape and 20/30 deg Flap
  • Twin Otter stability and control ice shape 20 deg flap
  • Twin Otter stability and control ice shape 30 deg flap

Tour of the CH and PIO rating Scales​ ​

  • Baseline Navion handling qualities evaluation with CH rating scale
  • Experience Level 1 CHR
  • Experience Level 2 CHR
  • Experience Level 3 CHR
  • Baseline Navion handling qualities evaluation with PIO rating scale
  • Experience PIOR 1 / 2
  • Experience PIOR 3 / 4
  • Experience PIOR 5
  • Experience PIOR 6

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