Microsoft Flight Sim - X

[Dwight B. Van Zanen]

Do any of you use a home flight simulator for IFR training?

My IFR flight instructor suggested getting flight simulator software to develop the instument scan. I did, and was surprised how realistic the whole thing is. I tried to use it with the mouse, but that was just not sensitive enough and not very effective for training. I felt silly buying a game joystick, but that works quite well. I specify an IFR flight from and to any airports I want to use, set up the NAV radio's, ask for an IFR clearance, and take off. It gives me altitudes and vectors etc for an ILS or NDB or GPS approach. The only real problem is that it has 2 cockpits. One with all the instuments available but you can't look around, and one that is a "virtual cockpit" that does not have all instuments but lets you look around. (you need a joystick with a "hat" to look around, and one that has 3 axis controls, including rudder, helps) You need the regular cockpit for the IFR portion, but the transition to VFR for the landing segment requires a transition to the virtual cockpit. Kind of like the real transition to visual flight, except you can pause the program to change cockpits - can't pause to adjust for real on short final. As for how it helps with training, the IFR portion is getting easier with practice in making very precise corrections early.

Has anyone else tried this? Any other instuctors recommending it?

 

[Dwight B. Van Zanen]

Well, after looking around I found a few other threads on this so I wanted to delet mine. Any way to do that?

 

[poadeleted20]

As a working instrument instructor, I have mixed feelings about the PC-based "flight sim" programs like MSFS. They have to potential to be used effectively as part-task trainers, but they also have the potential to develop nontransferrable techniques and habits which then must be broken in the plane. They can also be abused by overly enthusiastic trainees trying to "get ahead" in the program, and end up teaching themselves improper techniques and procedures. I strongly prefer using these under the direct supervision of the instructor involved until the parameters for their use have been established. At that point, the instructor can give "homework" assignments to practice techniques learned in training.

 

[Dwight B. Van Zanen]

I guess I agree it is unrealistic in many respects. My instructor was specific in having me practice the instument scan I learned in the ground school. The Sim gives me immediate feedback (unusual attitude, off course, above or below assigned altitude) if I am not paying close attention. That part seems useful for IFR training. The approach and landing does not seem as good.