Flight Simulation vs. Real Flying: How MSFS Can Help Your Flight Training

[@PamLawrence-wp6cc]

Hi Ash The simulator does really give you the impression you are actually in the cockpit of a plane. It certainly gives you plenty of time to practice what you have learnt in during your flying lessons and many other practice oportunities.

[@AviatorAsh]

Absolutely, It’s good fun to use as well!

[@Danny-mn7du]

I have been using flight simulator for over 2 years now and i recently started flight training for the PPL. I got about 4 hours of flying. I've got all the basic stuff already under control and am now practising stalls. I am bound to go Solo at 10 flying hours and my instructor says i am one of the fastest learning students he's ever had, all thanks to flight sim

[@AviatorAsh]

Very similar progress to me. I’ve been using flight sim for about 1 year and learning stalls in my next lesson. On my 6th hour. Couldn’t have progressed so fast without it.

[@PetaNelson]

Excellent tips on how to consolidate learning and flight training experiences with real life application!

[@globalselfpublishing]

An excellent overview Ash of MSFS vs using a simulator. Can see how beneficial a flight sim is when learning to fly.

[@AviatorAsh]

Absolutely! I believe Flight Sims are a crucial part of flight training and certainly could be overlooked by students!

[@carlylawrence8591]

Interesting thanks Ash!👏

[@Aviation767]

Awesome video! I need to get on this stuff because I'm almost 16 and haven't started (busy with other stuff) but nice to see you progressing man!

[@AviatorAsh]

It’s great fun and practice! Would 100% recommend!

[@joseaguilera3939]

I'm a private pilot and did my course on a C150. I always loved the C172, and flew many hours with it on MFS20. Last saturday was my first flight in a 172 and I can tell the simulator made a big difference, specially in the energy management, speed, and general procedures. I don't have a joystick but the X-box controller does just fine at least with the things I mentioned above, more related to the understanding of the aircraft and energy management, than in the "feel" of the aircraft. It also improved my landings a ton when I learned to keep that nose up in the horizon, pulling the lever back for each time the nose drops, and not just randomnly pulling the lever back.

[@AviatorAsh]

Awesome! It certainly isn’t perfect but definitely a great resource for pilots to use if used correctly. It’s no replacement to Flight training but a great tool. Glad the Sim has been able to help with your training as well. I found that the use of a joystick/yoke and throttle made a massive difference for me. I know that the options for Xbox are very limited but the Hotas One would be a great budget option for flight sim. amzn.to/3RaDKUn If your on PC the Extreme 3d Pro is the best budget option. amzn.to/4c0c78U I’ll be making some videos soon on different equipment that I recommend.

[@taxiviaalfa]

Flying on my home sim was good as a starting tool to jumpstart my flight training. However, I find that as I progress, flying on a sim can actually degrade my skills, and it's a little disheartening to see this cut into my progress. Nothing beats the real aircraft

[@AviatorAsh]

That’s interesting, Certainly nothing beats the real aircraft! How many hours are you on?

[@wpgeni]

Great video and topic. I absolutely agree with you Ash. I used MS Flight Sim X to help me practice to get my RPL back in 2011. My lessons were around 1 week apart and my instructor told me that it takes on average around 20 hours to get to solo. I would practice my circuits and go through the process using the sim during the week between lessons and it really helped me to remember a lot of my previous lessons and to hone my skills for the next lesson. My instructor was amazed at how I was proceeding through my lessons as he said that he noticed that my skills were just like I flew the day before. I told him I practiced on flight sim a few days a week and the day before my lessons. Subsequently, I went solo at 11 hours, which was, to my instructors surprise was very early. I put it down to the sim and how it enabled me to practice. Whilst there are certainly limitations and immersion is not 100%, ms flight sim really helps a lot with remembering and practicing. Plus add to the fact that it is safe and you can "fly" at any time or day and weather conditions.

[@AviatorAsh]

100% agree. MSFS2020 has been awesome for me with learning to fly. It definitely has its limitations but if used properly it can be super useful for anyone. It certainly helps to reinforce my learning and I believe it’s obvious to my instructor as well.