Mxsmanic wrote:

The reason for asking is that I'm wondering if a VFR flight plan with
detailed routing that lists specific waypoints and fixes can be easily
converted to IFR without changing the routing, should weather or other
factors mandate a switch to IFR for the flight.

You use IFR chart features on an IFR plan. Items like VOR, NDB, and
airports with instrument approaches are on IFR Charts. Another
document, known as the AF/D, or "Airport Facility Directory", lists
"preferred routes", which ATC will usually put you on regardless of what
you try to file.

AF/D's are free he
http://www.naco.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=naco/online/d_afd

The "supplemental" section has the IFR routes 40 or so pages in. You
can also look up restricted airspace, noise abatement corridors, etc...
so you can keep the simulated Baron out of simulated trouble and prevent
****ing off the simulated noise-sensitive residents (simulated Skylune?
G) you're flying over.

It is possible to file a flight plan that uses both IFR and VFR
portions. This is known as a "composite" flight plan.

I just thought of an "freebie" that might be of interest to you in your
sim realism, "Sporty's Study Buddy":
http://sportys.com/faatest/study/ Sporty's Study Buddy is more of a
"learn the answers to the questions" system than a true course, but it's
free.

I was also going to suggest an online ground school, like King's:
http://www.kingschools.com/, but I remember money is tight. Since you
have no interest in actually flying, and won't actually have to pass a
current written / oral exam, watching eBay for an outdated ground school
video course (cheap, of course! G) might be worthwhile.