ORIGINAL: broke_n_bummin

Now, it may just be me, but once you get past basic flight and orientation, the only thing left in a flight sim is the game and graphics. Every simulator out there is based on assumption ... perfectly tuned engine, predictable weather, perfect ballance etc. In a sim, there's no difference between taking off / landing on pavement or grass. I haven't seen a sim yet that flies exactly like the real life. It's been my experience that all a sim teaches you is basic flight and orientation. The rest is all $$$. FMS is free and teaches you the exact same thing as the $300 sims.