jknights
For anyone to use an FSTD it needs to be certified. To be certified it has to meet certain criteria. That criteria is laid down in various regulations that determine the MINIMUM levels of fidelity you have to meet.
Just to give you an idea of initial costs. Mr Boeing will charge you somewhere in the region of US6-8M for the necessary parts and data for a 787 simulator!!!! Mr Boeing will also want 15% of everything you make off of the operation (I kid you not). Don’t even think about replica/copy parts because Mr Boeing today protects his IPR vigorously.
Unfortunately we haven’t even started yet on costs but I’m afraid for aircraft types such as 787/A350 there are only 2 manufacturers who are capable of producing devices that are capable of being certified and for US200K you won’t even scratch the surface.