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Old 9th Jan 2013, 20:33
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Armchairflyer
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
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If you already have it installed, I'd certainly recommend it. Apparently PC sims (whether MSFS or X-Plane) are not that helpful for improving instrument scan, but can be a great (and cheap!) tool for training and drilling instrument procedures and flows as well as situational/positional awareness.

I can also recommend the book "Microsoft Flight Simulator X For Pilots: Real World Training" by Jeff van West and Kevin Lane-Cummings if you can get a cheap copy. The VFR and handling parts are rather cute, but IMVHO (no real-world IFR experience) they offer a quite good introduction into the various IFR procedures, going from basic drills to enroute navigation, holdings, and different approaches. You don't even need a joystick to benefit from PC sim training; the authors recommend using the autopilot at least at the beginning, and the emphasis is not on airplane handling anyway (PC sims are not much good for that) but on procedures, "headwork", flows and checklists, learning to be ahead of the airplane and maintaining situational and positional awareness.

RANT seems to be even better, but more expensive. Never tried it or know any IFR pilots who did, so cannot comment on it firsthand.
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