I think FS is a great tool for the PPL but only for practicing procedures and memory checks until you can do them without thinking. If you get some of the artificial inteligent flight plan add-ons (free at
www.avsim.com) for GA aircraft or buy the midlands scenery from
www.uk2000scenery.com then you will also have good reason to keep a sharp eye out on overhead joins! Lots of traffic.
VFR in a sim is not a realistic proposition.