Oscar wrote:

To re-phrase: are FS2004, SFSPC, etc just games to be enjoyed or are they
valid teaching tools? Is there any place for simulators in the learning
process? Does anybody here use sims regularly (say over the winter month) as
a substitute for real gliding?

Definitely!!! We use to came together and organize small xc contests
(longest was 300km). It's amazing that you feel almost the same
excitement when you miss a thermal and you have to fight hard to catch
others. The fear of outlanding is also there... Special high level of
concentration over the hills (stall or spin is fatal, there are traps
etc-etc), considering wind strength and direction.
Sots can provide nmea output so you can use your PDA to navigate and
log your flight.
Here are some pictures, igc file some of our contest days:
http://bauerj.fw.hu/SOTS/party
http://bauerj.fw.hu/SOTS/1213/
http://bauerj.fw.hu/SOTS/0204
Regards,

/Janos