As much as what you are saying sounds good, flying on a computer doesn't give the sensation that you get when flying a "real" plane. Vertigo, disorientation and stress usually only happen in a real flying environment.
If he was low on fuel or something was wrong with the aircraft, perhaps like a warning light, thing must have been very different given the stress levels that would have been present.
If I was one of the 10 passengers on-board I would be VERY upset! Last thing you want is to pay several hundred dollars for a pleasant day trip to end up dead or maimed because the pimple faced 19 year old pilot wasn't very good on instruments because his employer might have been paying him peanuts! (age made up)