GPS Navigation to New Braunfels Airport GPS Runway 17 Approach Cessna Skyhawk SP (C172S)

Flight Simulator 2004 includes a number of improvements in terrain generation making VFR flight a fun and easy proposition. It is amazing at just how realistic the scenery has become. It is quite possible to grab a sectional chart, make note of prominent terrain features (lakes, cities, etc.) and use the "view out the window" in FS2004 to complete a VFR cross-country flight. Microsoft also updated their "auto-gen" scenery engine to improve the "on the fly" generation of buildings, trees, etc. when flying at low altitudes.

A significant improvement is the inclusion of taxiway signs on the thousands of airports included with the simulator. This makes taxiing around the airport much more realistic and provides practice on a topic the FAA continues to place great emphasis on - runway incursions.

IFR flights are easy using the flight planning features in FS2004. While SIDS/STARs are not yet available, the nav aids that make them up can be manually selected as part of the overall instrument flight plan. Instrument flights receive separation services from the realistic ATC which does a decent job of transitioning you from the enroute structure to your selected instrument approach. If you start your flight VFR but find that changing weather conditions will warrant an instrument approach, the simulator will allow "pop-up" IFR clearances.