i have a cousin that i put on the sim. he wantes  to learn how to fly. </p>

heres a big thing adginst the simulator. while it does provide help you learn orentation, it doesnt teach you that planes require correction all the time.</p>

example, go on your sim, advance the throttle and let go of the sticks. i will bet the plane just take's off and starts flying itself. in real life runways arnt smooth, their is wind/thermals/aerodynamic or trim issues, ect. the plane will almost always need attention and correction.</p>

in a simulator i can fly the planes with my eyes closed, literally. in real life i can do it for about 10 sec (with a small foamy, and someone else watching the plane) before a little gust of wind or something throw the plane off course. if a simulator was exactly like real life i would be able to fly with my eyes closed. </p>