"Neil Gould" wrote in message
.. .

Some of us have a lot more sim experience than anyone whose sim experience
began with the use of personal computers. And, we, too have told you that
MSFS isn't all that correct in its representation of flight.

Okay. I'm IFR rated and on occasion when I can't fly, I take my approach
plates and shoot them in FS2004 in the Mooney or C-172.

It allows me to remember to set and ident freqs, follow the instruments,
time the approach (I use my kneeboard and timer), plan the course with an
E6B and fly it with a sectional. Teaches reliance on the instruments (you
can simulate instrument failures), reinforces use of checklists such as
GUMPS and procedures for radio navigation as well as remain sharp on
concepts such as reverse sensing and maintaing course headings.

My flying experience began in high school on the first MS Flight Simulator.
It helped me through groundschool and my private because I was already
familiar with navigating using one or two VORs and quickly interpreting and
responding to instruments.

I highly recommend it. It won't make you, say, IFR current, but it'll sure
polish your edge for much less than it costs to shoot practice approaches
each month.

I guess that's why they have flight simlators.

-c