X-Plane

[dazza1977]

Hi all,

I have posted a couple of times before re: learning to fly.

Has anyone used X-Plane or other similar flight sim programmes? Is it of any use at all and does it aid you with regards to flight planning, navigation, and the general process of flying.

Obviously I am aware that it is in no way a substitute for the real thing however does it help in some small way with regards to general development???

Cheers

Dazza

[wbryce]

I always found flight sims useful for practising your instrument work, doing ILS's etc but found very little use for it in terms of VFR flying, maybe good to use it to help with memory work (checks/drills etc).

Most flight sim addicts tend to get fixated on the instruments while doing their PPL training...I had it until the map slapped me a few times. :E

[BHenderson]

I use x-plane. Being based in physics it's got very good flight dynamics eg. very good at demonstrating wing drop/spin from a stall. I don't believe any sim can help with flight planning/navigation at PPL level. Also you can practice your landings to death on x-plane as you get a good ground effect and a g meter.

[dazza1977]

cheers guys many thanks for your replies:)

[finalapproach]

When I did my IMC rating a few years ago I invested in Flight Sim 2000 and passed in the minimum 15 hours. I did also have a yoke, rudder pedals and 20" screen as you need to have a degree of realism. PC based flight sims are good training tools for instrument flying only and really only if you have the hardware to go with it (yoke, pedals etc.) I undoubtedly recouped the cost of that through reduced training hours and being able to learn at an unhurried, unpressurized pace in the comfort of my home for as long as I wanted. I still regularly practice let-downs, SID's STAR's and any other aspect of instrument flying. Go for it dude.