Thanks for all of your help. I know when I have a question about sometihng, I can ALWAYS get multiple good answers! I agree COMPLETELY that sims DO NOT replace actual "stick time" ! Computer Sims can't freak you out like it can when it's your $300 plan on the line if you louse it up!

As a little "segway": My 1st job out of GaTech was building FAA certified Level C & D flight simulators for Delta, Jetstream, and a bunch of outfits in China. My job was to make everything (the graphics) the pilot saw out of his window as realistic as possible and maintain a 60fps setting using raster and caligraphic lights and MultiGen software running on a Silcon Graphics Onyx 2 super computer [8D] At the time, these monstrosities (they were the size of 2 full sized refrigerators sitting side-by side) were CUTTING EDGE. And at $3 million they were just plain COOL !!!!!!!!!!! EVERY runway, runway light, taxiway, signs, the surrounding terrain, population centers, etc.... you get the point was my responsibility to make "the world" (I even built an aircraft carrier for the Navy to practice putting planes on the DECK rather than the Ocean.) The sims were mostly (with a few exceptions) for Gulfstream G4s, MD80's, MD88's, and other planes like the Saab JA50 twin turboprop. I have to admit that (1) it didn't pay worth a darn and (2) it was probably the COOLEST job i've ever had! We used to schedule time in the Hartsfield Atlanta Detla training rooms to get "sim time" to test our databases (it usually came at weird times like 2:30am on a Tuesday but I NEVER argued!). Let me tell you, you REALLY don't know flight sims until you've been in a fully reconstructed MD-80 cockpit with a 150 degree 3D wrap around screen in front of you, and the whole shebang sitting on a HUGE 6 axis motion simulator [X(] It was a $10 million dollar video game and it was SOOOO wicked that you just wouldn't believe (actually CAN;T believe it) until you experience it!

OK, end segway I'm going to give FMV a try (because it's free....) I know G4 is a GREAT program, but right now it's between my son going to the doctor and getting his meds or ME buying what is essentially a "toy"...... But I still wish I had that program, from everything I've read it's pretty much the bar that everyone else chases.

And I can tell you for certain that sims (with the exception of the giant flight sims at Delta for a paltry $10M) are NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR STICK TIME !!!!! That's the bottom line. I know they can get you familiar with the thumb movements and basic course correction techniqes, some maneuvers, etc.... but it's JUST like what JETMECH05 said about not being able to "simulate" the raised pulse, the sweats, and the barely controlled FREAK OUTS when you encounter a situation you're really not sure about (sudden high cross winds, other airplaines in your path, having your engine die for whatever reason -> you know, all the FUN stuff [:@]

Thanks for the tips!!!