The page designs for this book appear to have been intended for printing in full color. There was liberal use of spot color and much use of full color screen caps in the design; but as the book is printed with only black ink, the illustrations and other graphic elements are lacking in contrast--like printing a color negative on b&w photo paper. The title should have gone through a redesign to optimize it for one-color printing. While it's still legible, the effect makes me feel like I missed out on something.

This volume was suggested to us by our flight instructor, who found that the mental exercize of simulated inflight practice increased his efficiency in learning. I found it slightly overwhelming at first, but perhaps it is the challenge of the older generations to conquer the electronic media. It is a bit like learning to speak French to learn Spanish, but the overall concept should help decrease actual flight costs. Looking forward to the process.

Well written, clear and fun to read. I'm not a real pilot but I've been an enthusiastic if somewhat casual user of Flight Simulator for years and I have learned so much from this book. It's accurate, no glaring typos and assembled in a logical format.

The accompanying exercises (down loadable from the Wiley Site)are very well done and are a testament to the devotion of the authors to fulfill the purpose as stated in the title of their book.

It has taken me to the next level of flight simulation. Thanks.

I'm not a pilot and don't intend to be one. I'm mostly interested in IFR flight and have some experience with previous version of FS back to '98. I just got this book and it really looks good. Lots of pics. It's geared towards training for actual flying but I recommend it for flight sim fans also. If my opinion changes are reading the book I will change this review.

This book is a bargain for FSX users. Very detailed with over 700 pages of information. I am a private pilot and throughly enjoyed reading through this manual, especially when flying my FSX program. In addition the extra missions, charts & challanges, are certainly worth the book. The extras are free off the internet, and you'll probably have to wait until the web site is "free" as I suspect it is very busy. The book is great for learning a "new" aircraft, and best of all it gets you in the air quickly if you have never flown before. The internet stuff comes up inside the FSX program itself, and it quite complete with charts etc. for each mission. This book is certainly worth the money for what you get.

This book is a fantastic guide to flight sim and flying. It has loads of details without being boring. A great reference item to keep on your desktop cockpit.

This is a good book for real pilots who would like to improve their MS Flight Simulator experience, as well as for non-pilots who would like to become pilots. The book is written in simple terms so the new student will understand, but there is clearly enough there to benefit the accomplished pilot both from a aviation knowledge and simulation point of view. I am an ATP and CFI and have found nuggets of wisdom that I will use in flying and teaching. Mostly I am making my flight simulator experience richer and more fun by getting to know the software and online world better. My simulator is complete with yoke, multi-engine throttle quadrant, rudder pedals, multi-function panel, and three monitors. The only disappointment so far in the book is the recommendation that you open multiple views on one screen, without recommending adding another monitor and opening the view there. I have found that with multiple monitors I can effectively fly VFR by looking out the left window (left monitor), placing the instrument panel and forward looking screen on the middle monitor, and radio equipment on the right monitor. This is also ideal for IFR practice, which I do every day. I also use FS2004 (not FSX) and still find the book germane, even though it is not specific to my older version.

Even though I own two airplanes, I still fly MS Flight Simulator because I can practice to perfection procedures that make my real world flying much better. This book helps me reach that goal. I am looking forward to continually expanding my sim experience, and maybe I'll see you online!

I think based on the reviews below - you get the drift. Those reviews speak for themselves (and the book). I don't need to repeat every thing noted by the other reviewers. It's a great book and I learned more than I would have ever thought.

Don't let the 800 pages scare you off. The diagrams and the tutorial flights are just awesome. I have been flying MSFS since way back in the early days. The interest over the years has come and gone and I would skip a version here and there... then FSX hit the market. I since have turned this interest into a full fledged hobby. Everything from a TrackIR, Matrox (3 screens), Rudder pedals, yokes,good PC and a full set of navigational charts and IAPs - I thought I had it all together and knew everything there was to learn. What I found out from this book, I had barely scratched the surface. What I was missing was real world knowledge. This book has tied it all together and has made my hobby seem almost as authentic as the real deal. Now I can go any place at anytime in any aircraft.

Great great book! Do yourself a favor and invest the tiny expense (relative to the rest of this hobby) and enjoy. Remember, it's all about the journey and not the finish line. Soak up the knowledge that these authors have penned for your simming pleasure!

If you would like more information or would like to discuss simming in general feel free to contact me at fly-bman2006@hotmail.com

Bman.

I got this book and was amazed! It is a huge book and has everything in it. I have only started and this book has all the details and covers pretty much everything you need.

My opinion is anybody who gives this book less than five stars is REALLY hard to please or has some pet peeve they can't turn loose of.

I have spent (wasted in many cases) lots of money and time on GA training books in the past and ignored this one for quite a while as "just another book on flying." When I saw the price drop below $20, I decided to take a risk. Wow! This could be the best training book I have every bought. I hate to be dramatic about that but honestly, I probably have fifteen books of this nature and this is the clearest, most well laid out of any of them. I love the way the authors bring FSX into the training as yet another tool to help you practice your technique. The online material (especially the films) are very helpful too. It is obvious these guys did not write this book because they are "professional authors" but because they really do love flight training.

This book is a labor of love and you would do yourself a disservice by passing it by.

This book is what I was looking for and did not find in Bruce Williams'Flight Simulator as a Training Aid. The authors are Real Pilots who have painstakingly incorporated their vast experience into a very readable and often entertaining soup to near nuts FSX-based teaching tool. I have been using the book for the last three weeks in preparation for a ten day intensive IFR training course. The proof of the West Cummings book's success will come with my flying pudding a few more weeks hence when I get checked out. I get the feeling I'll do ok which will be in no small measure due to the comprehensive and well organized approach taken in the book.
Hightly Recommended for real or simulated piloting.

I've had all the Microsoft Flight Simulators since 1985 and have always winged it when it came to flying. That works but I never really knew what I was doing. I think this book is the best I've seen so far in helping one to learn to fly with the reasons why. Links to downloadable files are an extra bonus that expand the contents. The author also ties his content in with the lessons in the Simulator Program. Very comprehensive coverage.

I'm not a "real world pilot", and I am not planning to become one. But this book is a terrific resource if you're into the simulation challeneges that Flight Sim X offers. I've owned every Microsoft FS product since the first one, from the early 80's. Over the years, I've been saddened to see that as each release of the software becomes more realistic, the instruction manual grows thinner and more convoluted to use. This book solves all my "Why does this button do?" questions, with room to spare! It is obviously a labor of love for the authors, and it shows. They write with wit, humor, and above all, clarity. Every chapter of this book contains at least half a dozen or more of those "Oh! Why didn't I know that before?" type of moments. From first flight to IFR, with the concluding chapter on "Virtual Airline Operation", this is the definitive reference and training guide. It won't really tell you how FS functions, but if you want to really learn virtual flight, don't pass this one by! Warning: This isn't a casual read. You're expected to read, learn and practice each skill on your own, using customized lessons downloaded from the publisher's website. But isn't learning how to fly, or fly better, the reason you bought FS-X in the first place?

This book is everything it says and more. A must have for any sim pilot or student pilot who may use FSX or any MSFS series program. Geared toward the slightly more then just "gamer" enthusiast, the book covers almost all areas of flight from the basics to advanced situations which the book actually has links to a website to download flight plans, charts, videos with matching practical flight sessions, and all the pictures in the book in full color.

That is the only downside, is that all the pictures in the book are in black and white. It is a fairly thick book with a lot of information so I could see possibly saving a few dollars on full color ink.

For anyone who even thinks of flying in the future or likes to use Flight Simulators to freshen up their skills, get this book now. It is a must have for your aviation library.

This is a good book to learn how to fly on Flight Simulator. It's full of tips on real flying and show also the limitations of Flight Simulator itself.
Good for beginner in Flight simulations and for those who want to try how would be the real thing!

For me as a retired German pilot (CPL, Multi and IFR) it is even a very interesting book. Real pros had a good idea to "supervise" a training tool for real pilots. Especially for me, the chapters about the glass cockpit are of greatest interest because during my flight career those new gadgets just came into practice. I have always been a great fan of simulators at a time when I stayed in the US.
In combination with Rod Machado's Instrument Survival Handbook you are set for the best IFR training at home.

Very helpful. More of a focus on flight, which is fine, and less of a focus of how to manipulate the software and settings to quickly get one ready - but that's not a major concern. THis is a great tool to help someone systematically learn the principles of basic through advanced flight.

I am still in the first few chapters and I am learning things I never knew about flight sim. I have had flight sim since the first one back in the '80s. I think I have had every version since. I am a private pilot also and I really like how this book is laid out.

I am still in the first few chapters and I am learning things I never knew about flight sim. I have had flight sim since the first one back in the '80s. I think I have had every version since. I am a private pilot also and I really like how this book is laid out.

I'm an instrument-rated private pilot. Although Flight Simulator isn't a perfect substitute for real-world flying, it does have its pros (not least of which is that it doesn't cost $139/hr to rent 'wet.')

I've had this book since October, and I love it. (I would have loved it even more if I'd had it several years ago when I was earning my license and ratings. It's THAT helpful.)

What I'd add to the other reviews is that the two authors -- both flight instructors -- do an excellent job of pointing out where Flight Simulator-flying and real-world flying differ, as, for instance, in ATC communication, available IFR clearances, and the operation of the G1000.

I'm an instrument-rated private pilot. Although Flight Simulator isn't a perfect substitute for real-world flying, it does have its pros (not least of which is that it doesn't cost $139/hr to rent 'wet.')

I've had this book since October, and I love it. (I would have loved it even more if I'd had it several years ago when I was earning my license and ratings. It's THAT helpful.)

What I'd add to the other reviews is that the two authors -- both flight instructors -- do an excellent job of pointing out where Flight Simulator-flying and real-world flying differ, as, for instance, in ATC communication, available IFR clearances, and the operation of the G1000.

It's a lie. The title. That's what the lie is.

I'm no pilot and don't play one on TV either. This book is terrific -- accessible, filled with facts any vicarious pilot will love, and filled with information on such things as how to get free aerial maps.

How do those VOR and NAV things work? This book will tell you and entertain you at the same time.

It's a labor of love from two guys who know both the material AND how to present it. This is the one to buy. Outstanding! I can't even begin to offer a suggestion for improving it. And, despite the tone of this review, I'm ALWAYS wishing for things that aren't present when I look at instructional materials.

Although the title of this outstanding teaching manual indicates it is for real pilots using Microsoft's Flight Simulator as a teaching tool I can enthusiastically recommend it for simulator pilots as well.

I learned so much from the authors who are real world pilots & instructors I hadn't learned from other available sources. I consider when I finish the manual with the missions included I will have completed real VFR & IFR instruction even though I am not a real world pilot & confine my flying to Flight Sim only.

The book is eminently practical as a good teaching manual should be. It offers a stepwise approach to flight training from the Piper Cub to the twin-engine Beechcraft Baron & beyond. A novice completely unfamiliar with simulator flying could use this book from the beginning to become competent in VFR flight before even thinking about sophisticated avionics & instrument flying. It is crammed full of practical tips & offers context for the theory of flight which can be gleaned from other sources.

There is a bunch of extra resources available at the publisher's website which extend the material even more. One can download approach plates & the like for the included missions.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for simulator pilots; it is simply wonderful!

good information but was unable to download the tutorial flights into Flight Simulator X thus greatly limiting the advantages of this book. Jef Van West infored there are technical problems with some systems but I think the poroblem is more general than that.

Finally a book that takes nothing for granted and has one eager to get started with FSX. I followed one of their MANY helpful suggestions and took the book out to a flying school. From CFI's, (you'll find out what that is in the first chapter) to students, their praise was unanimous. I'm 77 years old and although I don't plan to take flying lessons, this book whets one's appetite and desire to get started. The book not only covers flying but also gives excellent information on just what power does your computer need to run the program as well as having a section that deals with Windows Vista. Sincerest congratulations to the authors.

FS Real World Training is an invaluable book. Although I had already 'passed' many of the flight lessons in FSX I still didn't feel confident about my flying skills. There were too many things that were left (excuse the expression) hanging in the air. When I bought this book I started at the beginning feeling like a newbie all over again. Many points that I missed before are explained fully and in detail and finally it is all making sense. As a result I am enjoying my flight simulator more than ever. Aside from the wealth of interesting and informative detail I think the most important thing is that the reader gets to make connections. The information connects from one chapter to the next and consequently, step by step, everything fits together. Going through this book is an immensely enjoyable experience. An added bonus are the generous number of free mission files and charts available on the wiley. com web site which are enjoyable and extremely useful.

Precious and perfect fit well for this book.

It's very detailed and accurate, and it helps a lot not only sims pilots, but even those who plan to be real pilots or, for those who already are, to practice and keep their skills.

I'm satisfied. It has an excelent cost / benefit.

I pre-ordered this weeks before it was released, and it was well worth the wait! The authors know their stuff and communicate it well. Numerous screenshots accompany the excellent chapters on many topics. An excellent companion to Flight Simulator X.