Gamers teach n00b pilots to fly

Members of Israel's VATIL (a branch of the Virtual Air Traffic Flight Simulation Network), some as young as 17, have begun training future El Al Airlines pilots. Captain Alon Pereg, who leads El Al's 737NG pilot's course, approached VATIL a few months ago with the possibility. Impressed by a virtual demonstration — the complete virtual training is said to equal 5 real world flights — Pereg enlisted the VATIL team.

Now, one of VITAL's primary tasks is to help Air Force vets make the transition from F16 to Boeing 767. "If you close your eyes and listen to the virtual flight controllers speak with the virtual pilots you'll be convinced that you're in a real flight control center. Even the intonation and sense of tension in the air is the same," remarked Pereg.

See related: South Korean Air Force recruits pro-gamers