RE: How realistic is FMS?
Compared to the others, FMS is a piece of doo doo. You get what you pay for. Having said that, I practiced only with FMS and flew my trainer solo without anyone's help. Got it down in one piece after almost hitting a passing car. Promptly got an instructor! You can learn the basics, and I do mean basics with FMS. If you have already solo'd, you won't get much out of FMS.