"Roy Smith" wrote in message
...
Ryan Ferguson wrote:
Some seem to find some utility in PC flight simulators for IFR
proficiency, but I've never been able to get a lick of benefit out of
them for that purpose. Not being able to interface with the actual
panel is just too much of a stretch for realism, in my opinion.

I think it depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

The only time I've ever seriously flown a sim was when I was prepping
for my CFI-I ride. I hadn't flown NDB approaches since my initial IFR
training, and was burning a lot of $'s in airplanes struggling to get
that skill back.

I bought a copy of X-plane and flew a bunch of NDB's at my desk. Then I
went out and flew a couple in the airplane just to make sure I really
had them figured out again (which I had).

Others may have a different experience, but I find my PC sim (FS2004) useful
for almost every aspect of IFR practice: scanning, systems monitoring,
navigation, enroute procedures, approaches down to the minimums (or missed
approaches when conditions are below-minimum), interacting with ATC, and
especially unexpected engine, electrical, vacuum, radio, or instrument
failures.

--Gary