Provides pilots, flight instructors, and virtual aviators with tips and suggestions for getting the most out of the world's most popular flight simulator.

“Bruce Williams takes Flight Simulator to its highest level as a flight training tool. This is a guide for anyone wanting to maximize their real or virtual cockpit experience..." —Rod Machado, aviation author, flight instructor, speaker and official flight instructor for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator

Microsoft® Flight Simulator has inspired many thousands of young “gamers” to pursue flight training in real life and has provided certificated pilots with countless hours of entertainment. And even though there is an awareness that PC-based simulations—and Microsoft Flight Simulator in particular—are helpful as aids in flight training and pilot proficiency, for many it is still unclear how best to benefit from the experience of virtual flying.

Applicable to both Flight Simulator 2004 and Version X, this new book merges the “virtual world” of flight simulation with “real life” flight training. It is the only book of its kind because it provides specific advice and tools for pilots, flight instructors, and students who want to use the world's most popular PC-based flight simulation as an effective, easy-to-use training aid.

Here’s how Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid helps aviators get the most out of every hour in the air or the virtual skies:

Includes a bonus companion CD with more than 150 VFR and IFR Practice Flights that make it easy to use Microsoft Flight Simulator to practice specific skills, from basic flight maneuvers to instrument approaches. The CD also includes reference documents, charts, and other tools to transform virtual flying into an inexpensive, flexible, and effective learning environment. Softcover, 8.5” x 11”, 256 pages.

"It's hard to argue against learning more efficiently, with less stress, and having more money left in the bank at checkride time. By letting Bruce become the flight training middle man through his enlightening book, you'll find efficient, novel and fun ways to learn about flying."—Rod Machado, from the Foreword

”In the flying business, Bruce is a rare bird. On one hand, he's an accomplished flight training expert; on the other, he probably knows more about using flight simulation as a training tool than anyone south of the North Pole. This unusual mix of practical cockpit experience, flight simulation knowledge, and a full spectrum of flight training skills makes Bruce one of the leading educators in the aviation simulation business. When he talks, pilots throttle back and listen. Now his unique insights are available for everyone to read.”

—From the Foreword by Rod Machado

Contents of Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid:

Foreword

Introduction

1: About this Book

2: Using Flight Simulator as a Training Aid

3: Best Practices for Using Flight Simulator

4: Flight Simulator Essentials

5: Advanced ‘Training Features’ in Flight Simulator

6: Differences between Flight Simulator 2004 and Flight Simulator X

7: About the Practice Flights

8: Flying the Aircraft Used in the Practice Flights

9: Supplemental Information and Web Links

10: Introduction to the VFR Practice Flights

11: Sample Briefings for VFR Practice Flights

12: Introduction to the IFR Practice Flights

13: Sample Briefings for IFR Practice Flights

14: Creating Your Own Practice Flights