Never heard of a CPL being done in a sim, however I'd venture to say that if the sim is approved for doing an ATP then it could be acceptable for a CPL. The catch is that the CPL includes visual ground reference manouevres so the graphics system must be capable of displaying those. Not sure any sims have a wide enough field of view to accurately do turns around a point or figure eights etc.
If you can, go directly for the ATP. It's a single theory exam & a single flight test. No need to hold an FAA instrument rating before an FAA ATP test, nor do you require an instructor recommendation. The FAA ATP includes instrument privileges ie they're built in to the licence, and not a separate instrument rating. The ATP flight test is more or less an instrument rating flight test but with some slightly higher tolerances ie 1/4 scale deflection, instead of the more typical 1/2 scale. Getting an FAA CPL & IR, however, will need an instructor recommendation, two exams (Commercial & Instrument) & two flight tests (Commercial & Instrument, obviously)
Be aware that flight tests for FAA licences & ratings include a ground oral portion with questioning about the application of the rules and privileges & limitations of licence that can last several hours.
Don't forget the TSA insecurity bull**** has to be done first.
Last edited by Tinstaafl; 30th Nov 2012 at 15:03.