"pjbphd" wrote

I'm a student pilot and have heard mixed reviews of Flight Sim software.
Some say it's great for a little on the ground practice. Others say it's
really a waste of time.

I don't expect it to really take the place of air time, but I'm wondering if
anyone out there can tell me if it's really useful, and if so, what
accessories are recommended e.g., yoke and pedals.

For VFR flying Flight Sim 2004 is probably next to useless (or worse
than useless as some others have indicated) for helping with the real
thing. But for flying in the clouds it's nothing short of superb.
Clearances, reasonable reproduction of flight dynamics, and not bad
weather depiction. I have the yoke and throttle quadrant device from
CH Products, which was something like $85 and well worth it. Rudder
pedals would be nice, but I haven't forked over for those yet. I'd
like to see how accurately a slip or skid can be simulated.

Jim Rosinski
N3825Q