A pretty good one I might add.

 

I enjoyed it. I bet the original poster didn't though.

 

I have been using it a lot as well for training pourposes. I am finishing my instrument right now, and it is a lot cheaper to be able to set up multiple approaches and fly them. I still use FS 2004 which has "flight lessons" on them. I keep taking the ILS, VOR, and GPS check rides to practice. If you bust the ride you have to start again. It's good practice.

 

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.

 

I've had a lot of experience on both Flight Sim. 2004, and Flight Sim. X. I know that you can create a log book, but once you do, you can't determine which of those hours were gained by speeding up the simulation rate. So in my opinion (although I myself have booked a lot of hours on the game) at the end of the day, the hours mean nothing. However, that's not to say that Flight Sims. aren't a great way of gaining expeience with different aircraft and the way they operate (not to mention that they're awesome good time!!!).

 

short answer...no

long answer...lolz

 

I thought this thread was dead? . . .

Oh, well. FS04/X and X-plane are fine for having fun and maybe learning a little about procedures, physics, etc., but they fall short when it comes to getting down the true "feel" of the airplane. It's really easy to develop bad habits and to learn over-simplified procedures and controls that you can't use when it comes to real-life flying. If you can appreciate these for what they really are -- games -- you'll be much better off (unless, of course, you have a full instrument and control stack, X-plane or some other program, and a CFI to log time with).

 

I got it the first time (which is rare).....nice!