I'm sure you'll get replies regarding the MS product from others.
Sims are very good for procedural flight - especially developing your own mental skills, timing, analysis and situational awareness. It'll upset some people but I'd like to suggest all the eye candy with the best known sims are actually a distraction to learning the stuff you will be paying through the nose for at a later date in more serious sims and aircraft. I think it would be pretty unusual to find yourself in a location where an FNPT is available at little or no cost. The experienced glance over the shoulder would be invaluable as MJ points out.
Therefore, short of the FNTP level I'd like to suggest Rant XL. No commercial interest or association with the company - it's just the only one that teaches you procedural radio navigation and nothing else with staged lessons followed by free play and self practice.
By all means thunder around the sky with photorealistic screens and have fun but Rant is a superbly effective teaching medium to learn the real stuff.
Oddsoft Ltd
Rob