Scott,

A quick fix to that issue in real flight is turn on the binocular mode. It creates a window which shows you the orientation of the airplane in reference to where you are "standing." It makes it much easier. I still don't know how useful sims are for pattern except for learning new maneuvers. they are great to expand your skills for stick movements, but I don't think they really help a great deal with box management and such.

Arch