Sorry, but FAA is nothing. It is like request a ISO or Aenor certification, they aren’t evaluating the flying realism, with not compatibility with training nav devices, etc.
As other user said:
I want to add that X-Plane having certified sim setups for FBO’s isn’t necessarily a testament. The FAA has cardboard cockpit print-outs as certified flight training devices.
I’m just arguing that FAA certification isn’t a measure of realism; Remember, DCS isn’t certified, and it’s probably as real as it gets.
It is for years an argument that x-plane use against other sims, and it does not have to do with the realistic behavior of the aircraft, but with systems such as compatibility with a real GPS in training mode.
You will see that the certification is really for that type of device and has nothing to do with the fidelity of the flight model.
It is for that compatibility with the devices that it is used for professional training simulators, P3D (lockheed martin) have their own version to military training and don’t have FAA certification (I know FAA is for civil).
I mean that as @HeroThanos6 said,
It is both, depending on how you use it.
You can use x-plane for play a game or in a professional form, the certification don’t matter If you don’t use professional devices.
I’m arguing all of this because there are other people who hear about FAA certification and think it means something else and repeat it like a mantra to others who don’t use x-plane saying his sim better than yours.
Just to clarify, don’t take it as an attack on you please.
haha…
