On Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:55:57 +0000 (UTC),
(Paul Tomblin) wrote:

When I don't fly IFR for a period of time, I don't seem to have any
problem with approaches or procedures or the usual stuff, but my scan goes
to hell. After looking over at the GPS or down at the chart and finding
myself in a 40 degree bank, I tend to turn on the autopilot and leave it
on until it's time to do the approach. (I don't seem to have problems
with the scan in the approach because I'm totally focused on that one
thing and trying to write a new route clearance, look it up on the chart,
program it into the GPS, tune the VORs, talk to my wife, etc.)

Is there a good way to practice scan? I imagine a full blown sim would be
overkill, and I'm not sure my anaemic Windows computer could keep up with
all the fancy bells and whistles in MSFS anyway. Is there a cheap way
that doesn't require a huge outlay in new hardware?

You don't need many bells and whistles when using MSFS. There's
virtually no scenery but you do need enough computing power to give
readable dials. I use FS 2004 in the main PC (1.8GHz) but it's not
much good on the laptop (1.3GHz) due to an inadequate video card &
memory. The laptop will however run FS98 which has less bells &
whistles.

MSFS is very good for IFR practice and is possibly more demanding than
real IFR as it is less stable. Blink for a second or two and you're
drifting!

I only have an IMC rating but use it for practice. Set poor visibility
and 8/8 cloud with base around 200ft and 1 mile visibility and follow
the ILS?