Hi all,

I am hoping to start Flight training in a while and id like to know what i can do to make FS a good base to help me learn some of the stuff I will learn. I know FS isnt as realistic as it can be (i've flown real planes before... a C172, Beech BE65 queenair, and a T-6 texan) so are there any add-ons or hardware that will boost the realism a bit (i have the PMDG 744, but that doesn't really help my causes). How about actually flying in the game, any recommendations for how to do that in a more realistic fashion? For reading i have  the FAA's Basic pilot handbook, Instrument flying handbook, and instrument procedures handbook (needed to learn how to fly a Sid/STAR on Vatsim and the others i got for my b-day a few years ago.) so are there any other books you'd recommend?

Sorry for all the questions but i've been thinking of some things to ask for a while

Any help much appreciated

-GTFN

Aside from instrument procedures and the possibilities of VATSIM, FS is actually a fairly useful tool for the typical PP student... things like flying a good pattern, stabilized VFR approaches, etc.
You won't learn diddly- bop about actually landing, or taxiing or takeoff rolls, however... IMHO, FS is very deficient in that area (transition between air and ground). You can learn the basics of balancing throttle and brake correctly, but any real plane will seem very different on the ground, an no two are exactly alike, really... even the same model with the same # of hours on it.

Same with stalls and slips- FS won't teach you much about that sort of air work. Slow flight maybe; depends on the FS model.

But FS is terrific for VFR navigation practice; doesn't matter that it's inaccurate to some extent, because your aim is to learn to go from A to B efficiently, using whatever tools you like.
Navigation is mostly mental, not a "feel" thing, so FS easily simulates that.

Which leads to another suggestion: if you're lucky enough to have a GPS for the sim that is the same one in the airplane, you can use that free sim time to learn how to use the GPS, instead of wasting lesson time fiddling with it.
But you are also well off avoiding the GPS with the sim, to hone your basic skills.

I highly recommend getting the best possible FS model of whatever training aircraft you end up in and just flying that a lot with the sim... think of it as "enhanced chair-flying".

You asked what you'd need to get..  First thing would be a yoke and pedals.

Telling you specifically how to use the sim for training, would be akin to telling you how to fly a plane. A list of, "to do" and "how to" isn't really applicable. The most important thing is to approach simming with a piloting frame of mind. Don't just set up a flight and  take off. Decide what it is you want to accomplish, and then incorporate it (for example.. compass turns... don't just execute a couple and then buzz around aimlessly. Practice them, over and over. Write a bunch of random headings on a piece of paper and then blindly plop your finger down on one and immediately turn to that heading (directional gyro failed, of course)).

Make each flight a realistic scenario. Plan the flight before even turning the sim on. Plot your course just as if you were flying for real.. Estimate your fuel burn; time en-route.. alternate airports..etc. Do a mock pre-flight and walk around; get used to using a checklist; have all the radio nav-aids you'll likey use written down; identify and verify those nav-aids by their audio, Morse signature...

You'll get the idea of just how useful a training aid the sim can be... and learn that the real limitations are your enthusiasm.

In my opinion.. THE most useful aspect to sim-training is radio navigation. It is so well represented in MSFS, that if you can do it in the sim, you can do it in a plane...

The whole key is that you strive for realism...  Fly at designated altitudes; avoid restricted airspace; fly the plane by published numbers (v-speeds, etc.); enter and use traffic patterns AT pattern altitude; use real weather and use ASOS/AWOS/ATIS when it's available before deciding which runway you're gonna land on (you'll have a good idea if you planned the flight properly)...

I realize this post rambles a bit.. all I'm trying to point out is that there are SO many aspects to simming that can be applied during real training.... and like really learning to fly.. most of it is up to you