Virtual reality experiences provide ways of modeling complex task-performance behaviors, many of which carry life-or-death risks in real-world learning. Instead of putting a novice driver behind the wheel, a virtual reality simulator enables him to learn basics without endangering himself or others and their property. VR also may reduce liability exposure for the driver-training school. From commercial aviation to military hardware, virtual reality CAVEs place learners at the controls of complex machinery with steep learning curves and vast penalties for improper operation. Immersive experiences also enable medical students to test surgical skills without live patients or cadavers. In some situations, VR provides the only safe environment in which to gain advanced or even basic skills, but full mastery requires actual rather than modeled experiences. VR that models the real world poorly leads to faulty training results.