Flight Simulator Software - Any Help or Just a Game?

The main problem for a new student pilot taking up actual dual
instruction in a real airplane is that in the initial stages of flight
training, learning to interface physically, mentally, and visually with
a real aircraft in flight requires that control pressures and how these
pressures interrelate to the aircraft in flight be learned. It's for
this and other less serious differences between the sim and the actual
aircraft cockpit environment that I STRONGLY recommend that all new
students shy completely away from the use a desktop simulator during the
initial stages of training before solo.
So damaging can the use of the simulator be during this stage, that it's
use can actually retard the progress of a new student.
The sims have limited uses later on when PROCEDURES are the issue, not
the hand flying of the airplane per se'
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship

"pjbphd" wrote in message
news:Nx3%c.213310$sh.156079@fed1read06...
I'm a student pilot and have heard mixed reviews of Flight Sim
software.
Some say it's great for a little on the ground practice. Others say
it's
really a waste of time.

I don't expect it to really take the place of air time, but I'm
wondering if
anyone out there can tell me if it's really useful, and if so, what
accessories are recommended e.g., yoke and pedals.

Thanks in advance

pjbphd