I agree with the argument that fidelity of flight model and systems has been more important than the visual scene in professional simulation, both civil and military. However with computing power going the way it is, the ‘hair shirt’ tendency should be resisted. Why not have all three? The drive for an ever-decreasing proportion of live flying at the front line and in the training system means that things like visual circuits, low flying, ACM and air refuelling will need to be simulated more realistically than has hitherto been the case. I also think that our simulation needs to up its game in regard to things like weather, ATC and other traffic to attain the levels of ‘immersion’ needed to properly replace live flying.