The simulation of aerial camera was an important problem to optimize the design and improve system capability. Imaging process of aerial camera was described. Imaging process models were established, including objective generation model, atmospheric transmission model, aerial camera model and imaging platform model. At last, the architecture of simulation system for aerial camera was constructed and the simulation scheme was proposed. According to the practical task requirements, the parameters of camera are identified by the emulation software. The practice shows that the system has some reference value for the parameters selection and comprehensive performance evaluation of aerial camera in the period of initial design.