Home flight sims can be useful but it really depends on how you equip and use them. From what I can tell the flight model in X-Plane is as good as that in pro flight sims. X-Plane sells actually makes an FAA approved flight training version that uses the same flight model, the major difference being the expensive peripherals. I have the latest X-Plane installed on a gaming computer with a bunch of additional airplanes, rudder pedals, yoke, and a throttle quadrant. I find it useful for flying approaches but it also comes in handy for a variety of flight related topics. Landings and flight dynamics are the biggest of those. The gaming aspect of it is not very useful but occasionally if I can't get an airplane I will fly it for a few minutes just for thrills. I like to do an inverted pass through the Smokies in my B-52 and then land on a skyscraper in Asheville... very hard not to hurt the plane.