Navigation Principles & Tools — Microsoft Flight Simulator Guide

Explore Microsoft Flight Simulator's comprehensive Flight Training section. Learn essential navigation principles and master various tools, from basic handling to IFR navigation.

This guide covers the Flight Training section of Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), detailing various lessons and mechanics designed to teach users how to fly. The training is structured into several series, including Basic Handling, Take-off and Landing, VFR Navigation, Glider Training, Airliner Training, Bush Pilot, and IFR Navigation.

Each lesson series is divided into bite-size lessons, often guided by voice prompts, instrument highlights, and glowing markers. Most series conclude with a test that can be failed. Users can repeat lessons and choose their own order, though it is not recommended to skip them.

The Basic Handling series, flown in the Cessna 152, consists of eight lessons focusing on fundamental aircraft control. These include:

• Introduction: Simulator controls, camera manipulation, instrument interaction, and toolbar menu usage.
• Aircraft Essentials: Familiarization with yoke, rudder pedals, throttle, RPM indicator, airspeed indicator, and altimeter.
• Familiarization Flight: Simple maneuvers around Sedona airport, including pitch and turns.
• Attitude (Pitch): Understanding climb, cruise, and descend attitudes and their relation to speed.
• Turns (Roll): Executing turns using the yoke and rudder, maintaining a centered sideslip ball, and using the attitude indicator for bank angles.