Well, I have actually found Condor to be quite helpful for area
familiarization, as Condor uses the same terrain database used for all

NEGATIVE. This is NOT TRUE. Some people use the NASA "SRTM" data for
terrain elevation; but there are different resolutions for that data
that can provide different levels of accuracy. And Condor maps are
all user-created and not necessarily based on real-world locations.
It is totally up to the map's creator to define the terrain and the
scenery. Satellite photos _are_ used for some maps; but others are
semi-random repeating patterns of texture & color to make lowlands
look lush and high ground look rocky - with no regard for the real
world.

Condor is the product of just 2 people. And it is AMAZING for the
small team that produces it. But the maps are not like MS Flight
Simulator where a large dedicated team of people has spent years
poring over the entire world and building it up as accurately as
possible. Some map-makers are obsessive and realistic; other map-
makers provide scenery that is inaccurate or is a wholly fantastic
setting (and there's nothing wrong with that).

As Frank points out, thermals are not always accurately placed in
Condor, either. The map files have hidden values that tell Condor
what probability to assign to a thermal popping up in any given
location... Those hidden values are specified by the map-maker and are
not necessarily tied to any real-world data. Condor tries to simulate
the effects of wind and terrain, but it uses those hidden values as
its primary guide to thermal generation. So again, if the map-maker
is obsessive and makes the house thermal spot (in real life) a likely
place for thermals to form in Condor - then its probably fairly
accurate.

Runways and buildings are the same way. Its not based on exact real-
world data; its based on whatever the map-maker says. And with dozens
of small/outlying airfields in most Condor maps, you can bet that a
certain percentage of them bear no resemblance to their real-world
counterparts. Heck, some of them don't even have the runway pointing
in the correct direction.

NOW, having said all of that - let me make it clear: CONDOR IS AN
AWESOME PROGRAM. Any pilot who wants to work on his/her cross-country
soaring or racing skills should have this simulator and use it. But
use it to develop your sense of timing and flying skills - do NOT try
to use it as a guide for what the "real world" will look like when you
get there.

Enjoy,

--Noel