i really think sophisticated flight sims such as fs2004 or x can help towards learning,particularly for navigation training and instrument flying.
getting some payware aircrafts such as flight one's ATR 72,programmed with Toulouse engineers collaboration,can enhance realism up to a max.
I got it just to get acquainted with the fully functionable FMC with the latest airac.
Also its working overhead panel mimics at 95% the real thing.
nice one
