The top players have intricate set ups that look like actual cockpits, not just a keyboard and joystick: https://flyawaysimulation.com/news/4952/

And, he'd be on with ATC.

Also, I could do this, maybe with minor cosmetic damage to the aircraft.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5862045&forum_id=2)#49854600)

The top sim racing driver was able to drive an F1 car without issue

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5862045&forum_id=2)#49854629)

It is a classic debate among aviation enthusiasts and pilots. The short answer is: Likely yes, but it wouldn't be pretty.

While a "top" player wouldn't just hop in and fly like a pro, their success would depend entirely on how they land—specifically, whether they are hand-flying or using the plane’s automated systems.

1. The "Auto-Land" Scenario (High Probability of Success)

If the flight simulator player knows how to program the FMC (Flight Management Computer) and engage the Autoland (ILS CAT III) system, their chances are remarkably high.

• System Familiarity: High-end MSFS add-ons (like the PMDG 737) are "study-level," meaning almost every switch and button works exactly like the real thing. 

• The Task: If they can talk to Air Traffic Control, they would just need to input the runway frequency, configure the flaps/gear at the right speeds, and let the plane's computers do the heavy lifting.

• The Verdict: Most experts agree that a simmer who has "memorized the cockpit" could likely get the plane on the ground safely using automation.

2. The "Hand-Flying" Scenario (Low Probability of Success)

This is where things get dangerous. If the simmer had to manually fly the 737 onto the runway due to a system failure or lack of ILS, they would face several massive hurdles:

• Lack of Physical Feedback: In a sim, you don't feel the "seat of your pants." In a real 737, the vibrations, G-forces, and the sheer physical resistance of the controls (which are much heavier than a home joystick) can be overwhelming.

• The Flare: Landing a 737 requires a very specific "flare" (pitching the nose up) just before touchdown. In MSFS, the ground effect is often criticized for being unrealistic. A simmer would likely "flare" too high and stall the plane or flare too late and smash the landing gear.

• Sensory Overload: The psychological pressure of having real lives at stake, combined with the noise and 3D peripheral movement, often leads to "tunnel vision" that sims can't replicate.

3. What the Pros Say

• MythBusters: In a famous episode, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman (who had no flight training) were able to land a commercial airliner simulator after being "talked down" by an instructor.

• Pilot Consensus: Real-world pilots often say that simmers are great at procedures (knowing which buttons to push) but poor at airmanship (feeling what the plane is doing).

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5862045&forum_id=2)#49856871)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5862045&forum_id=2)#49856902)