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Is MS Flight Sim worth it for T-6B?

I'm in Primary now waiting to get scheduled for my first simulator (C2101).

I have been signing up for profsits (did my 5th today). My two roommates are still in ground school, but both have MS flight simulator with a T-6B glass cockpit, and they also have this new thing called TrackIR which is basically a virtual reality thing where when I turn my head, the cockpit view turns as well (I hope this makes sense...).

In MS flight sim, I would practice course rules around Navy Corpus and also practice EPs. Currently, I practice course rules by looking at drawings with a few friends and just going through the steps out loud. I practice EP's by reciting them throughout the day, and also by sitting in static trainers (a cockpit with switches but no computers connected). Whenever I am fortunate enough to get a profsit, I use this to practice both course rules and EP's, as well as comms and checklist procedures.

I'm just wondering how worth it this is. To get the TrackIR, MS flight sim, and the T-6B file, it'll cost me around $150.00. I have the money, but if everyone is going to tell me that its a complete waste/very little gain, then I won't bother.

Thanks
 

Tycho_Brohe

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
I would not bother. It's like buying Grand Theft Auto to learn how to drive.

Profsits are money, keep doing that for as long as you can.

And after a few sims, if you still have some niggling regrets, buy your roommates a six pack so you can take their sim/video game for a spin.
 

MGoBrew11

Well-Known Member
pilot
Second vote for don't bother. Sounds like you're on the right track already. Profsits are best way to practice. Get used to the trim. The sim models it pretty well.
 

picklesuit

Dirty Hinge
pilot
Contributor
Your time would be better spent studying FWOP/FTI/NATOPS (or just playing GTA and drinking a beer.)

Sims never do real flight justice.

Pickle
 

sevenhelmet

Low calorie attack from the Heartland
pilot
FWIW, Sims were useful early in the game for EPs and BIs, but worthless for FAM and FORM flights. I found sims had the most value in RIs, where I rehearsed every event before I did it, to find out where the workload was busiest and where I was most likely to make a mistake by missing a turn point, level off, etc. That helped immensely, and probably saved me from at least one downed flight. But I used the Navy's sims during open time (Profsits is what the call it now?), not my own computer.

I'd pass on the MS home computer stuff, unless you really want it.
 

ARAMP1

Aviator Extraordinaire
pilot
None
You're time is probably better spent writing out the boldface/opslimits or drawing out the fuel or hydraulic systems.
 

Jublov

Play Top Gun Til' the VHS breaks
Just curious wouldn't it be more worth it to wait to get into the real Navy sim because they have a real mock T-6B Cockpit?
 

Tycho_Brohe

Well-Known Member
pilot
Contributor
Cockpit familiarity will come over time. EP's and limits need to be memorized ASAP. Profsits are the gravy on top.
 

jollygreen07

Professional (?) Flight Instructor
pilot
Contributor
A football tossed between yourself and your buddy while drinking beer and reciting memory items/limits will do a lot more than Flight Sim.

No matter how high fidelity, no sim can replace a good bullshit session with your bros.
 

utswimmer37

"Descent Planning"
pilot
I'm in Primary now waiting to get scheduled for my first simulator (C2101).

I have been signing up for profsits (did my 5th today). My two roommates are still in ground school, but both have MS flight simulator with a T-6B glass cockpit, and they also have this new thing called TrackIR which is basically a virtual reality thing where when I turn my head, the cockpit view turns as well (I hope this makes sense...).

In MS flight sim, I would practice course rules around Navy Corpus and also practice EPs. Currently, I practice course rules by looking at drawings with a few friends and just going through the steps out loud. I practice EP's by reciting them throughout the day, and also by sitting in static trainers (a cockpit with switches but no computers connected). Whenever I am fortunate enough to get a profsit, I use this to practice both course rules and EP's, as well as comms and checklist procedures.

I'm just wondering how worth it this is. To get the TrackIR, MS flight sim, and the T-6B file, it'll cost me around $150.00. I have the money, but if everyone is going to tell me that its a complete waste/very little gain, then I won't bother.

Thanks
Sims are like flying in a vacuum. Everything is canned and and you can hit reset anytime you want. No real shit-your-pants moments. EPs are priority for said moments as well as developing a procedure pattern so you don't forget stuff when overwhelmed. The name of the game seems to be who can get the real feel for the aircraft while juggling EPs and comms to clear blocks, not over speeding, maintaining VFR, plugging in ATIS, etc. all of which seems to move faster in real life. Quote I hear a lot seems to be 'don't get stupid in the sims' and those words probably carry more weight for home sims. Take full advantage of static trainers so you can run EPs blind folded and get more proficient with cockpit checklists.

That said try DCS if you really feel like simming it up. Can really get carried away there...
 

Jublov

Play Top Gun Til' the VHS breaks
Everything is canned and and you can hit reset anytime you want. No real shit-your-pants moments.
Agreed, like you said before the sim is good for procedure, however, the best practice is up in the air above to get a real feel of your airplane.
 
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