Any particular flight sim program recommended to aid in practicing holds and IFR approaches? I'm having a tough time visualizing all this stuff in my head but I'm only 7 lessons into Instrument.

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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 is easy on the frame rates and I found it very useful during my instrument training. I haven't used it, but I hear X Plane is good as well.

I assume you can choose your local airport and current charts, right?

The info on FS2004 is from 2004. Not sure if there is a way you can update the navigation database. Yes you can choose local airports. None the less, its a great, inexpensive way to practice IFR.

Thanks. Just wanted to verify that these would in fact be realistic enough to be helpful.

Doesn't matter what simulator you get. Look at the fundamentals that you are trying to get. Long before I got my Instrument rating, I practiced and practiced on Microsoft Flight Sim (All Versions). Now that I teach, I really enforce the use of the flight sim. It's not about how current the database is, it's about shooting the approach, partial panel flying, getting used to interpreting the information the instruments are giving you and making the best judgement. I tell all my students, get the book, read up on every approach and then go to airnav.com and try to shoot a similar approach 10 times. Each time reduce the ceiling and visibility until you get to the approach minimums. Then try to find a similar approach at a different airport and shoot it at minimums. I've never had a student fail a instrument checkride.

OK. I'm gonna get microsoft flight. It's only like $20. Now I'd like to get a yoke and rudder pedal set. I don't know what to look for exactly here. But my budget is around $250.

I would also at least consider a PCAD based trainer. Something with a yoke, pedals and engine controls. After flying a ton utilizing a Microsoft program, I was shocked to discover just how poorly my instrument scan had become....

Certified ground based trainers are excellent because they are more sensitive than the real thing making them harder to fly and your scan even faster to compensate. Cheaper than renting and a portion of their use can also count toward fulfilling your instrument
requirements.

Best!

I'm already enrolled in an instrument program at a part 141 school. I just need something to add to my training and help in between lessons. A certified ground based trainer would be nice but I'm sure it's well beyond my budget.

do NOT use Microsoft Flight. MS Flight was designed to keep an 8 year old entertained. It has absolutely no realism. It is also graphics intense.

I used Microsoft Flight Simulator X and it was, and is still is, great for practicing approaches. If you have a lower end computer you should still be able to run it on the lowest graphics settings with decent framerates (you're going to be in the clouds anyway so scenery graphics causing low framerate wont be an issue).

The plates in FSX are based on 2007 so you will find the most currency issues exist with GPS fixes being out of date and NDB approaches that no longer exist are still in the garmin 430.

If you get the deluxe issue it comes with a G1000 172 and Mooney Bravo.

I used a Microsoft Precision Pro joystick which I've had for years. I think rudder pedals are a little overkill.

Good luck in your training!