I recently visited with a fellow who’s had a private pilot’s license for over fifty years, owns his own plane and is an expert in aerobatics.  When we got on the subject of FS he admitted he found it more difficult to fly in the simulation program than for real.  Others in this forum who fly for real have confirmed this.  So, let’s fantasize a little.  Assume I’m the average semi-serious player of FS.  I’ve had a few years of using F98 and 2002.  I’ve taught myself to fly all the smaller aircraft up the Lear.  I can fly VFR and IFR, navigate by VOR and by GPS, use the ILS, create and fly a course, land at just about any airport even in limited visibility and with a cross wind.  I had a lot of trouble at first but then learned to be gentle and patient – and that made all the difference.  I am not yet able to and have no great desire to fly the large jets although I goof around in them nor have I learned, or want to, those advanced things some of you forum members talk about – like flying a VOR arc, etc.  In fact, I have much more trouble with the intricacies of the FS program than I do with the flying.  I’m an adult – albeit a very old one. 

So here I am, on CommutAir Flt 14, a Beech 1900, at 12,000 feet halfway from Cleveland to South Bend on a bright, sunny fall morning when the cabin attendant comes back white as a ghost, picks up the phone and announces both pilots are unconscious, the plane is on auto pilot.  The attendant asks, “Is there anyone aboard that can fly a plane?”  .  No one responds.  I’m tempted but here’s my question.

If I can figure out the radio, stay cool, get in contact with ATC and with help from the ground and possibly a chase plane – is there a chance that I could really land safely?

You would have difficulty with the physical aspects...

But if the choice is between certain death and giving it a try?

Your familiarity with the instruments and controls would be a great asset, as would a basic understanding of the physics of flight and air navigation. Add in all the details like how to control speed and glidslope on approach (even if you have never "actually" done it) and you have a very strong possibility of getting the plane on the ground with no fatalities.

It is probable that you could land an aircraft given the fact that you are familiar with the basic aspects of flight and what the instruments on the panel indicate. Of course, I don't think you could just walk from FS to a real, let's say, Cessna 182 and fly flawlessly. You probably would be able to take of and fly around though. The only thing other than the severely limited scenery and visibility in FS that would make it more difficult than flying the real thing is the lack of movement, i.e. When you fly a real aircraft and make an uncoordinated turn or make a rough landing you feel it, in FS you don't.

Only if you regularly watch Airplane as a training video

I wondered this many times and when I had the opportunity last Oct in my friends Piper Vagabond taildragger, I made the landing .....my first ever.
It wasn't a real emergency, but after flying from Port Alberni, up through the Comox Lake Valley to Courtenay, Hal was the instigator when he called " I just had a heart attack, ....think you can get us on the ground ? ".......

I said yes and went or it.......his only comment was about watching my airspeed on base. Other than that, he did nothing which I could sense until after touchdown, he assisted on the rudder, since I wasn't aware of how much I would need for ground handling as the speed bled off...........

So..........Yup, it can be done !

Thank you for all the responses.  I apologize if this is an old question but I had not heard it asked before.  The replies were very interesting.  Some seem to think I would have a chance, others ....!  One thing we know for certain, I could get the plane to the ground.  As to the condition we'd be in, that's something I may not want to think about.  I guess my conclusion is that I'd give it a try.

Before retirement I flew a lot in our corporate plane, a Cessna Citation II.  If I was the only passenger I would spend most of the flight squatting between the pilots and asking stupid questions.  It was fun to see the difference between them in landing.  One of our pilots always touched down with the left wheel first.  Our chief pilot always landed HARD.   He would be critical  of the younger ones who he said "greased it in" and would tell them, "I want my passengers to know they are on the ground."  In any case, I appreciate all the comments.