Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots, Instructors, and Virtual Aviators

I had some mixed feelings about this one after going through it cover to cover, but when I reflected on it, I appreciated the author's hard work putting it all together.

As a book, it covers (almost to the point of beating to death) why and how Flight Simulator (2004 and FSX) can be used as a training aid for flying... hence the title. Once you've read it, you've either been proselytized into the fold, or you've gotten annoyed and thrown it into the trash- in either case, I can't see reading it again unless I wanted to dig up the arguments to have with someone else. The text is also a little more oriented towards the instructor, more than the virtual pilot.

But where the real value lies is in the CD. Here, Williams has provided dozens and dozens of open ended practice flights for a student or instructor to practice various techniques (in both FS2004 and FSX formats). Yes, you could make your own, or maybe find some on the Net, but he's saved you the...Read more

This is a well written book and a good introduction to FS as a Training Aid. I am a private pilot and have been using FS since it's inception. I have always had difficulty convincing instructors (ground and flight) and fellow pilots to review the program and perhaps use it as an adjunct in their training. Bruce Williams, an accomplished pilot, CFI, and at one time on the developer team of MS Flight Simulator does a great job of explaining how it can be of assistance to both the student AND the instructor. One can at least get a comprehensive overview as to how it can be used for the mere cost of a book.

Personally I have always loved flying the simulator. I enjoy "landing" at airports that I intend to visit, as well as those in Europe, Asia, etc. One can fly all of the approaches in simulated bad weather to any airport anywhere in the world using "real" charts and plates and frequencies etc.

I bought this book at the same time as Jeff Van West's book, and
I found that even though the latter makes you go download the missions
from the Wiley website, they were still much more useful. The lessons
on the CD with this book had no more structure than say something I
might have saved while flying. If you are buying a book that is
real-aviation oriented, West's book is a must have, this I would take
a pass on.