Simulators

To MX: Son, you're way too defensive. And (in my humble opinion) taking this
MS simulator much too seriously. There's absolutely nothing wrong with
sim-flying as a harmless hobby. But you're trying to interlace it with the
real thing too rigidly, and thin out the dividing line. Real pilots get lost
and lose their planes, and sometimes their ass, in a farmer's cornfield.
Flatlanders too frequently fly into mountain sides in setting up IFR
approaches too low in mountainous country ( we once had three that flew into
the same mountain in a fairly short period). Pilots die as a result of major
lapses in judgement. I'm not saying that's part of the appeal, but it tends
to sharpen attention, and increase the heart rate. I think that difference
is why you attract some criticism. You do, however, stir up conversation
with some of your comments.

As to "avoiding" having to recover from unusual attitudes, etc., that is
what learning to fly is all about. Every pilot that has ever solo'd has
balooned on round-out, or had a puff of wind baloon you at near stall speed
on landing. You're expected to recover instantly and without a drop of sweat
or a seconds thought. How about you inadvertently come in too close behind a
big transport, and wing tip vortex rolls you upside down 30 feet off the
runway? Something I have experienced many times during training sessions -
you're doing a climbing turn, say to the right, air speed in marginal and
coordination is sloppy. Suddenly the top wing looses lift and the plane
whips violently to the left, and you find yourself nearly vertical and
inverted? (I never could intentionally duplicate this, but I didn't try too
hard, anyone want to explain?). Don't tell me these things never happen to a
seasoned pilot. With proper training, these things become incidents, not
disasters. And panic creates disasters.

I have entered two posts, and am delighted at the responses. Just goes to
show - post something of aeronotical interest and you wake up the pilots
here. Let's keep it up!