I think there's a bit more that can be gleaned from FS than it's been given credit for. BUT fly the lesson with your instructor first.
Practicing checklists makes use of FS, but doesnt make the most of it. IMO good uses of FS are:
- in the early stages of training practicing recognising the symptoms of a stall. The gauges on screen do what the real ones will. Then practice stall recovery; the procedure is the same and muscle memory makes life easier in the air.
- later add some wind, strong wind, and practice a nav leg using nothing but your calculations. No bloody FS GPS/map or whatever! Just whizz wheel and W/V. This should closely mimic what will happen when doing it for real.
- add some really bad weather and practice your instrument 180 degree turn. The instruments act in same way. Fuddle with VOR tracking, NDB tracking, and position fixing If you go on to achieve an IMC rating FS is very useful. And will reduce flying hours to near if not the minimum. If it worked for a chimp like me...!
Of course the visual picture of the landscape will be awful, as will any kind of angle perception for circuit work and landings I.e. the actual flying of the aeroplane. This is where not to use it.
Finally, remember remember remember to fly the lesson with your instructor first!