From Home to Type Rated: How One Pilot Used the SFx Pro to Train Smarter
When Luke Lachendro set his sights on earning his type rating in the Cirrus Vision Jet, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. Cirrus’s training program is fast-paced, intensive, and demands a high level of proficiency—especially for pilots with limited turbine time. Luke wanted every advantage he could get.
Rather than waiting until day one of training in Knoxville, Luke got a head start—from home—with the RealSimGear SFx Pro Vision Jet simulator.
Bringing the Jet to You
The SFx Pro isn’t your average desktop sim. It's built to mirror the real Vision Jet cockpit—with tactile controls, working Perspective+ Touch avionics, a high-resolution wraparound visual system, and fully functional overhead panel and auto throttle—this system was engineered for one thing: effective training.
“I wanted to be able to train before going to Knoxville,” Luke explained. “To learn the avionics and procedures ahead of time—so I could hit the ground running.”
By using the SFx Pro at home, Luke was able to fly realistic scenarios, run checklists, and build muscle memory for the systems and flows he'd have to complete throughout the time in Knoxville. He didn’t just show up ready—he showed up ahead.
AATD Approved, Real-World Ready
The SFx Pro is now FAA-approved as an Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD), meaning it’s not just realistic—it’s approved to log meaningful time. That approval allows training centers and individual pilots alike to log simulator time toward their instrument and commercial ratings, and most importantly instrument currency.
For someone like Luke, this approval validates what many Vision Jet pilots already feel: this sim is the real deal.
“It was as close as you can get to flying the actual jet,” he said. “Everything was in the right place. I could go through checklists, run flows, and practice emergencies without guessing or faking it.”
A Better Way to Train—Before, During, and After
Luke isn’t alone. More and more Vision Jet owners are discovering how valuable it is to train before they ever step foot in the aircraft—or even before they take delivery.
With the SFx Pro, that’s not just possible—it’s seamless.
“The training at Cirrus was still hard,” Luke said, “but I wasn’t behind. I could tell it gave me a real advantage.”
And the value doesn’t end after the checkride. Because the SFx Pro is available year-round, pilots can continue to refine procedures, review emergency scenarios, and stay sharp between flights—all without leaving home.
Final Word
At RealSimGear, we believe high-fidelity simulation should be more accessible, more effective, and more realistic. That’s why we built the SFx Pro. And that’s why pilots like Luke succeed.
Whether you’re waiting on your Vision Jet delivery, preparing for your type rating, or just want a better way to train—we're here to help.
“I would 100% recommend this simulator to anyone preparing for the Vision Jet,” Luke said. “It made a huge difference.”