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

Bruce Williams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1560276703 | ISBN-13: 978-1560276708 | Publication Date: January 1, 2007

PC-based simulations, though touted by many in the aviation community as excellent flight training aids, are not being used to their full potential. This guide and the accompanying CD illustrate how to get the most out of Microsoft® Flight Simulator with general suggestions, specific advice, and practical tools. Student pilots can use the comprehensive information to review specific concepts and prepare themselves for formal flight instruction, while certified pilots can upgrade their navigation skills, learn about advanced aircraft and procedures, and complement their real-world flying with additional hours in the virtual skies. The materials are equally suitable for flight instructors looking for new tools to use in ground school classes and pre- and post-flight briefings and virtual aviation hobbyists will welcome the in-depth information on flying in the real world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bruce Williams worked on six versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator during a 15-year career at Microsoft. His experience with the development and design of Microsoft Flight Simulator included consulting with leading aviation organizations and teaching seminars about how to use Microsoft Flight Simulator as a training aid. Bruce grew up in an Air Force family, and he has been a pilot and aviation writer since the early 1970s. He remains an active flight instructor at Galvin Flying Services in Seattle, specializing in technically advanced aircraft, simulator instruction, stall/spin/upset recovery training, and aerobatics. In early 2004, Bruce left Microsoft to devote full time to his consulting company, BruceAir, LLC (www.BruceAir.com), which develops training materials, provides flight training, and offers multimedia presentations on a variety of topics for pilots and flight instructors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc. (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560276703
• ISBN-13: 978-1560276708
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Value is in the CD..., April 11, 2007

By 

Nyago123 (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots, Instructors, and Virtual Aviators (Paperback)

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 time - just copy over, load up, review the charts and briefings, and start flying. Each flight also comes with flight descriptions/briefings on the CD- though not in printed form (save for a few samples that in the book). There are also a lot of online references (e.g. pointers to the FAR/AIM online, and some relevant chapters on the CD in PDF form, etc)- nothing you couldn't get online, but at least here the pointers are all collected together. Still, to me all that was worth far more than the price of the book.

If you're a raw beginner and/or you just bought FSX the other day and are looking to learn how to fly from scratch, you'll probably need to look elsewhere first before coming here. This book won't tell you on the fly what you did wrong while practicing, and you'll probably need to be at least a little comfortable with configuring FS yourself (in particular, messing around with the subdirectories in your FS program installation directory). But if you're serious about practicing technique beyond mere sightseeing and you know enough about technique and you're enthusiastic enough to self-practice, this is a good book for you.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FS as a Training Aid, March 16, 2007

By 

Skyhawk (Huntington, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots, Instructors, and Virtual Aviators (Paperback)

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.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money, May 1, 2008

By 

Jack Vogel "Engineer and musician" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Flight Simulator as a Training Aid: A Guide for Pilots, Instructors, and Virtual Aviators (Paperback)

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.