Pros As a primer to using Flight Simulator the book was informative. It provided a single source of information that otherwise would require the user to read through in the different sections of Flight Simulator’s Learning Center. It also made clear the areas that Flight Simulator would be of value to a real world student pilots since instruments, radios, and the use of navigational aids differ very little from that of real aircraft. Furthermore, it offered suggestions to students how they can set the virtual airplane on autopilot so that concentration be placed on learning the instrumentation, navigation or other functions without having to worry about also flying the aircraft.
The practice flights that accompany the book offer an excellent way for new virtual or real world student pilots to get familiar with certain aspects of flight. It must be understood that real world flying experience can not be replaced by a virtual flight simulator.
Cons The book starts up slow in my opinion and it’s redundant to some respects. I would have liked more details in certain areas if this is to be treated as a single source reference. However, the author does provide sources where additional information can be found and most of it is free to download from sources like the FAA and the author’s own web site.
General Comments In general the book is worth the purchase and the author offers how Flight Simulator can be used by students, flight simulator hobbyist, and by flight instructors as a learning aid. In my opinion Bruce Williams’ “Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid” is not a book meant to be read from cover to cover as if you were reading a paperback novel, but rather as a guide to learning the different aspects of flying and navigating an aircraft. Also, while giving you a reference that you can study and reread as necessary to gain an understanding of knowledge it offers.
