New Student/ Flight sim questions
 

Hi this is my first time posting in this forum. I am currently enrolled at a university offering an aviation program. I am taking aviation classes this semester to work towards my private pilot license. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with flight simulators. I am thinking about buying one of the packages that comes with Flight Simulator X, rudder pedals, and a yoke controller. I thought it would be a useful tool to practice maneuvers listed in the syllabus to perform in future flight.

Sorry if what I'm trying to ask here is unclear, but basically does anyone know how realistic flight simulator is and whether or not it is a useful study tool to practice with along side of taking flight classes? I figured if it is realistic, then the expenses it costs to buy the set up would be cost effective since i wouldn't waste time messing up on things in the air.

Thanks, Chase

A few of my students have used Flight sim x and really liked it, but seems to help more for the instrument rating than for private pilot maneuvers. It could help you with flows and setting up for the maneuvers, but Im not sure how much it will realistically help you to offset the cost. You can chair fly and accomplish this for free.

Does your school have a PCATD? Many aviation colleges have a PCATD which is basically a computer with flight sim, rudder peddles, yoke and com stack. They will usually let you use it for free or at a very small cost.

I could never land anything in MS Flight Simulator. I had the yoke, throttle and rudder pedals. It just wasn't the same for me.

However, it was excellent on instrument scan.

YMMV

+1

Rex: I would avoid relying too much on a flight simulator for primary training, you don't want to develop bad habits on the sim and carry them over into your flight training. On the other hand, it works well in your instrument training when you are trying to develop a solid scan and reinforce instrument procedures.

Long time Flight Simmer before I decided to get into aviation for real. Used FSX for a long time. CH Products throttle, stick and pedals.

Found that we spent about 3 weeks (2 days a week) unlearning my FSX landing "sight picture"/routine. Echo'ing above, it is good for instrumentation proficiency (also owning the 3rd party Garmin 430 addon made the real thing a breeze). It was harmful to me in letting me teach myself to land a C172 at far too low of an approach path/slope.