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Simple Flight Academy
Your structured path from sim pilot to instrument-rated aviator
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Start with Lesson 1 — The Four Forces
Begin your training by understanding the fundamental forces that act on every aircraft in flight.
✈ FLIGHT BRIEF — PRE-FLIGHT PLANNER
DEPARTURE (ICAO)
DESTINATION (ICAO)
FLIGHT RULES
✦ COURSE PATHWAY
PHASE 1
FOUNDATIONS OF FLIGHT
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LESSON 01
The Four Forces of Flight
Lift, weight, thrust, drag — the physics of every flight.
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LESSON 02
Angle of Attack & Stalls
Why AoA — not airspeed — causes a stall.
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LESSON 03
Flight Controls & Three Axes
Elevator, ailerons, rudder and the power-pitch relationship.
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✈ SIM EXERCISE
FLY — Mission M1: Home to NDB
Put the four forces to work. Fly to the station using ADF homing.
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◇ KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Quiz — Aerodynamics
Test your understanding of the four forces and stall mechanics.
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PHASE 2
INSTRUMENTS & COCKPIT
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LESSON 04
The Pitot-Static System
How your ASI, altimeter and VSI actually work.
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LESSON 05
Gyroscopic Instruments
AI, HI and TC — gyros, precession and errors.
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⊙ INTERACTIVE
Cockpit — Click Every Instrument
Tap each gauge in the cockpit to learn its function and MSFS behaviour.
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◇ KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Quiz — Instruments
ASI, altimeter, AI, TC, HI, VSI — do you know your panel?
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PHASE 3
NAVIGATION
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LESSON 06
ADF / NDB Navigation
Homing, tracking, QDM, QDR and relative bearing.
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LESSON 07
VOR / HSI Navigation
Radials, CDI, TO/FROM flag, intercepting a course.
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LESSON 08
Holding Patterns
Entries, timing and wind corrections over a fix.
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✈ SIM EXERCISE
FLY — Mission M4: Holding Pattern
Enter and maintain a standard right-hand hold over the NDB.
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⊕ SIM EXERCISE
VOR/HSI — Intercept a Radial
Practise a 45° intercept onto the selected course.
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◇ KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Quiz — Navigation
ADF, VOR, holding patterns — prove you know the nav picture.
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PHASE 4
WEATHER & OPERATIONS
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LESSON 10
Airspace Classes
Classes A through G — requirements, MSFS tips.
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☁ INTERACTIVE
Weather — Decode a Real METAR
Load the IFR/Fog example and decode every field.
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📡 INTERACTIVE
Radio — Study the VFR Departure Script
Read the pilot lines out loud. Build the RT habit before you need it.
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◇ KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Quiz — Weather
Flight categories, METAR decoding and density altitude.
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PHASE 5
IFR PROCEDURES
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LESSON 09
The ILS Approach
Glideslope, localiser, decision height and missed approach.
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LESSON 11
MSFS Realism & Sim Progression
Settings, hardware recommendations and your study plan.
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✦ REFERENCE
IFR — Approach Procedures & Minimums
CAT I/II/III, stabilised approach criteria, missed approach.
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📡 INTERACTIVE
Radio — IFR Clearance & ILS Approach
Study the full IFR scripts from clearance delivery to landing.
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◇ KNOWLEDGE CHECK
Quiz — IFR Procedures
ILS, CDI deflection, decision height — the final exam.
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🎯 YOUR PROGRESS
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GETTING STARTED
Complete your first lesson to begin tracking progress.
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Lesson 1 — Four Forces of Flight
⚡ QUICK LINKS
◈
LESSONS
11 structured lessons · 5 modules
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▼
ILS SIMULATOR
Fly a precision approach
›
☁
LIVE WEATHER
Fetch & decode any METAR
›
✦
APPROACH PLATES
21 plates · 3 continents
›
⬡
TRAFFIC PATTERN
Circuit trainer · C172 · DA40
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📋 SESSION LOGBOOK
ACTIVE MISSION
FREE FLY
Explore freely. Select a guided mission below.
PRIMARY FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS
AIRSPEED
ATTITUDE
ALTIMETER
TURN COORD
HEADING
VERT SPD
ADF — AUTOMATIC DIRECTION FINDER
NAVIGATION DATA
MAG HDG
270°
REL BEARING
000°
MAG BRG TO
270°
DISTANCE
--
QDM (TO)
090°
QDR (FROM)
270°
GND SPEED
120 KT
WIND
000/00
SIM SETTINGS
AIRSPEED
120 KT
WIND DIR
000°
WIND SPD
0 KT
ALTITUDE
3500 FT
NDB
ADF GUIDE
Red needle → points TO the NDB.
Home: turn until needle = 000° RB.
QDM = heading TO station · QDR = radial FROM station.
INTERACTIVE COCKPIT
CESSNA 172S · CLICK ANY INSTRUMENT TO LEARN MORE
AIRSPEED INDICATOR
ATTITUDE INDICATOR
ALTIMETER
TURN COORDINATOR
HEADING INDICATOR
VERTICAL SPEED
COMM / NAV RADIOS
COM 1
118.100
119.350
COM 2
121.500
122.800
NAV 1
112.30
115.90
NAV 2
108.50
110.30
ENGINE MONITOR
RPM
2350
OIL PSI
65
CHT °F
382
FUEL GAL
32.5
EGT °F
1205
VOLT
13.8
TRANSPONDER
1200
MODE C · ALTITUDE ENCODING
ALT
ON
SBY
OFF
7700 EMERGENCY
7600 RADIO FAIL
7500 HIJACKING
1200 VFR (NA)
Six Pack & Instrument Scan
The standard AI-centred scan pattern used in real and sim IFR flying.
V-Speeds Reference (C172S)
Vso, Vs1, Vfe, Vx, Vy, Va, Vno, Vne — all critical airspeeds explained.
MSFS Cockpit Tips
How to use these instruments in Microsoft Flight Simulator correctly.
Partial Panel Flying
What to do when the AI or HI fails. The IFR skill that saves lives.
MODULE 1 — FOUNDATIONS
01
Four Forces
Lift, weight, thrust, drag and equilibrium.
02
Angle of Attack
AoA, stall mechanics and recovery.
03
Flight Controls
Three axes, surfaces, power-pitch.
MODULE 2 — INSTRUMENTS
04
Pitot-Static System
How ASI, altimeter and VSI work.
05
Gyroscopic Instruments
AI, HI, TC — gyros, precession, errors.
MODULE 3 — NAVIGATION
06
ADF / NDB Basics
Homing, tracking, QDM, QDR, RB.
07
VOR / HSI Navigation
Radials, CDI, TO/FROM, HSI, intercepting.
08
Holding Patterns
Entries, timing, wind corrections.
MODULE 4 — IFR / OPERATIONS
09
ILS Approach
Glideslope, localiser, decision height, missed.
10
Airspace Classes
A–G, requirements, MSFS tips.
11
MSFS Realism & Tips
Settings, hardware, study progression.
WEATHER DECODER — METAR & DENSITY ALTITUDE
INTERACTIVE METAR DECODER
Paste any METAR, pick an example, or fetch live weather for any airport by ICAO code.
METAR FORMAT REFERENCE
STATION · TIME · AUTO
CYYZ 121550Z AUTO
ICAO code · Day 12, 1550 UTC · AUTO = automated station
WIND
27015G25KT
From 270° at 15 kt, gusting 25. VRB = variable direction.
VISIBILITY
9999 = 10 km+  ·  0600 = 600 m
US: 10SM = 10 statute miles
WEATHER PHENOMENA
-RA lt rain · TSRA TS+rain
FG fog · BR mist · SN snow · FZRA freezing rain
CLOUD COVER
FEW015 SCT040 BKN080
FEW 1-2 oktas · SCT 3-4 · BKN 5-7 · OVC 8
Heights in hundreds of ft AGL.
TEMP / DEW POINT / QNH
18/12 Q1013 or A2992
Temp 18°C / DP 12°C / QNH 1013 hPa.
Always set QNH in your MSFS altimeter!
FLIGHT CATEGORIES
VFR >3000 ft & >5 SM
MVFR 1000–3000 ft or 3–5 SM
IFR <1000 ft or <3 SM
LIFR <500 ft or <1 SM
DENSITY ALTITUDE CALCULATOR
High DA = thinner air = longer takeoff roll, reduced climb rate, reduced engine power. MSFS models this accurately — always check before a hot/high departure.
ELEV / PRESS ALT (ft)
OAT (°C)
DENSITY ALT (ft)
8,000
PERF PENALTY
~18%
RADIO COMMS & PHRASEOLOGY
HOW TO COMMUNICATE
Every radio call: WHO you're calling → WHO you are → WHERE you are → WHAT you want. Pause before transmitting. Think it through. Most MSFS sim pilots skip radio work entirely — mastering it is the single biggest realism upgrade you can make.
MSFS Tips: Use Pilot2ATC or Vox ATC for full ATC interaction with voice recognition. The built-in MSFS ATC works but is limited. Study the scripts below before your sim session, then say them out loud.
SCENARIO SCRIPTS — CLICK TO STUDY
READBACK RULES & PHONETIC ALPHABET
MANDATORY READBACKS
✓ Runway in use (T/O & landing)
✓ Cleared for takeoff / to land
✓ Hold short instructions
✓ Altitude assignments
✓ Heading assignments
✓ Squawk codes
✓ Frequency changes
✓ Altimeter settings
If in doubt — read it back.
STANDARD FREQUENCIES
121.500 — International distress
122.800 — Multicom (uncontrolled)
123.450 — Air-to-air pilot chat
121.500 — Guard (always monitor)
PHONETIC ALPHABET
A ALPHA   B BRAVO   C CHARLIE
D DELTA   E ECHO   F FOXTROT
G GOLF   H HOTEL   I INDIA
J JULIET   K KILO   L LIMA
M MIKE   N NOVEMBER   O OSCAR
P PAPA   Q QUEBEC   R ROMEO
S SIERRA   T TANGO   U UNIFORM
V VICTOR   W WHISKEY   X XRAY
Y YANKEE   Z ZULU
🔊 PRONUNCIATION DRILL — TAP TO HEAR
Tap any letter or phrase to hear the correct aviation pronunciation spoken aloud. Practice saying it after you hear it. This is the fastest way to build correct RT habits before using Pilot2ATC or real ATC.
Uses your browser's built-in text-to-speech — no internet required after loading. Works on all devices. Adjust volume with your system controls.
PHONETIC ALPHABET
AVIATION NUMBERS
COMMON ATC PHRASES — TAP TO HEAR & REPEAT
SPELL IT — TYPE ANY TEXT, HEAR IT PHONETICALLY
ATIS GENERATOR — AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFORMATION SERVICE
Enter an ICAO code to fetch the live METAR and generate a realistic ATIS broadcast. Listen to it read aloud, then practise copying the information before your next MSFS session.
WIND TRIANGLE / CROSS-COUNTRY PLANNER
Enter your true airspeed, wind, and desired track. SFA calculates the wind correction angle, true heading to fly, and groundspeed — and draws the wind triangle.
AIRCRAFT
TRUE AIRSPEED (TAS)
kt
DESIRED TRACK (True)
°T
WIND
WIND FROM (True)
°T
WIND SPEED
kt
QUICK METAR WIND
MAGNETIC VARIATION
° (W positive, E negative)
RESULTS
WIND CORRECTION ANGLE
—°
TRUE HEADING TO FLY
—°T
MAGNETIC HEADING
—°M
GROUNDSPEED
— kt
HEADWIND / TAILWIND
—
CROSSWIND
—
FLIGHT TIME CALCULATOR
NM = —
WIND TRIANGLE
━━ True Airspeed vector (heading you fly)
━━ Wind vector (where wind pushes you)
━━ Track / Groundspeed vector (where you actually go)
HOW IT WORKS
WEIGHT & BALANCE — CESSNA 172S
LOAD PLANNER
Enter your load below. The calculator checks if you are within the C172S limits and plots your CG on the envelope. MSFS models W&B — an out-of-envelope aircraft will handle differently.
PILOT (lb)
CO-PILOT (lb)
REAR PAX (lb)
BAGGAGE (lb)
FUEL (US GAL)
USABLE (max 53)
Max 53 gal usable
GROSS WEIGHT
2,296 lb
MAX GW (2,550)
254 lb spare
CG (inches aft datum)
40.3 in
STATUS
✓ WITHIN LIMITS
WHY W&B MATTERS IN MSFS
OVERWEIGHT
Higher stall speed, longer takeoff roll, reduced climb rate, structural limits reduced. MSFS 2024 models all of these. An overweight aircraft will feel sluggish and struggle to climb.
AFT CG
Reduced pitch stability — feels twitchy, nose wants to pitch up. Stall recovery becomes more difficult. At the extreme aft limit, the aircraft may be unrecoverable from a stall.
FORWARD CG
More stable but requires more back pressure to rotate on takeoff and to flare for landing. May prevent normal landing flare if too far forward. Elevator authority becomes limiting factor.
MSFS SETTING
In MSFS go to: Aircraft > Weight & Balance. Enter your calculated values here before departure. The sim will model the resulting handling qualities accurately.
⛵ CROSSWIND CALCULATOR
Enter the wind and runway before every landing. Know your crosswind component — and whether it exceeds the C172S maximum of 15 kt demonstrated.
WIND FROM (°)
WIND SPEED (kt)
RUNWAY HDG (°)
CROSSWIND
18.0 kt
HEADWIND
0.0 kt
TAILWIND
0.0 kt
STATUS
CHECK
C172S max demonstrated crosswind: 15 kt. At 10–14 kt expect significant rudder input at touchdown. Above 15 kt consider an alternative runway or divert.
🚀 TAKEOFF PERFORMANCE CALCULATOR
Estimates takeoff ground roll and 50 ft obstacle clearance distance based on density altitude and gross weight. Always cross-check with the actual POH charts — this is an approximation for training purposes.
PRESSURE ALT (ft)
OAT (°C)
GROSS WEIGHT (lb)
HEADWIND (kt)
RUNWAY SLOPE (%)
SURFACE
DENSITY ALT
--
GROUND ROLL
--
50ft DISTANCE
--
CLIMB RATE
--
These figures are based on C172S POH tables interpolated for density altitude and weight. Always verify against published POH data before real flight. In MSFS, the aircraft models density altitude performance automatically.
IFR PROCEDURES & APPROACHES
INTERACTIVE APPROACH PLATES — CLICK ANY ZONE TO LEARN
12 approach plates across Canada and the US — all four approach types. Select an airport below, then tap any highlighted zone to learn what it means and how to fly it in MSFS.
🍁 CANADA
🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
🌍 EUROPE
CLICK ANY ZONE: HEADER PLAN VIEW PROFILE VIEW MINIMUMS FREQUENCIES
SELECT A ZONE
Tap or click any coloured zone on the approach plate above to learn what that section means and how to use it when flying in MSFS.
ILS RWY 24L TORONTO/LESTER B. PEARSON INTL (CYYZ) TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA LOC/DME 110.30 APP CON 119.325 TOWER 118.700 GROUND 121.900 ATIS 135.000 GS / ELEV 329.9 MHz / 569 ft RWY HDG 238°M PLAN VIEW N S W E TUCAN IAF 3000 ft GESGO IF 2500 ft NEPID FAF 1700 ft MAP THR 24L MISSED APPROACH Climb to 3000 ft 10 NM 7 NM 5 NM 2.7 NM HOLD 1min legs HIGH GND PROFILE VIEW ELEV 569 ft GS 3.00° 3000 TUCAN IAF 2500 GESGO IF 1700 NEPID FAF 5.0 NM DA 1100 ft / DH 200 ft M/A TCH 56 ft Intercept GS from below at or above 1700 ft MINIMUMS PROCEDURE DA(H) RVR / VIS LIGHTING NOTES ILS CAT I 1100 ft (200 ft) RVR 1800 / ½ SM ALSF-2 Full ILS req'd ILS CAT II 900 ft (100 ft) RVR 1200 ALSF-2 Special auth req'd LOC ONLY MDA 1460 ft (560 ft) RVR 4000 / ¾ SM ALSF-2 GS inop NOTES 1. Simultaneous approaches to parallel runways may be in progress. Monitor Tower freq. 2. ATIS mandatory. Advise information letter on initial call. 3. MSFS: Set QNH from ATIS. Tune NAV1 to 110.30. Arm approach mode when established on LOC.
VOR / CDI
HSI
HEADING INDICATOR
RMI (ADF-style)
EXERCISE
FREE EXPLORE
Tune the OBS and fly around. Watch how the CDI and HSI needles react to your position relative to the VOR.
NAV RADIO & OBS
VOR STATION
YYZ VOR
FREQUENCY
112.30
OBS — OMNI BEARING SELECTOR
090°
SELECTED COURSE
LIVE READOUTS
RADIAL FROM
090°
BEARING TO
270°
CDI DEFLECT
0.0°
TO / FROM
TO
DISTANCE
--
AC HEADING
270°
AIRCRAFT CONTROLS
AIRSPEED
120 KT
HOW VOR WORKS
CDI NEEDLE
Full deflection = 10° off course. Half-dot = 5°. Always fly toward the needle to return to the selected course.
TO / FROM FLAG
TO = flying your OBS course will take you toward the VOR.
FROM = you are tracking away from the VOR.
HSI ADVANTAGE
The HSI combines heading and course deviation in one display. The course pointer rotates with your OBS — the CDI bar shows deviation regardless of your heading. Far more intuitive than a standard VOR head.
INTERCEPT RULE
To intercept a radial, fly 30–45° toward it. At half-scale CDI deflection, turn to the tracking heading. Apply wind correction to keep the needle centred.
INSTRUMENT SCAN TRAINER
TAP INSTRUMENTS IN THE CORRECT SCAN ORDER — BUILD THE HABIT
SCORE 0
STREAK 0
ATTITUDE INDICATOR
The Master Instrument
AIRSPEED
ALTIMETER
TURN COORD
HEADING IND
VERT SPEED
THE BASIC T SCAN
The six instruments are arranged in a deliberate T-shape. The standard IFR scan uses the AI as the master reference — you always return to it between each other instrument.
AI → ASI → AI → ALT → AI
AI → HI → AI → VSI → AI → TC
↑ Repeat continuously in IMC
Spend 80–90% of scan time on the AI. Never leave it for more than 3–4 seconds. This prevents spatial disorientation.
SCAN TIPS FOR MSFS
PRACTISE PARTIAL PANEL
In MSFS Failures menu, fail the AI and HI simultaneously. Now fly using TC + compass for heading and ASI + ALT + VSI for pitch. This is the hardest and most important IFR skill.
EMERGENCY SCAN ORDER
If unusual attitude: AI first — establish the attitude. Then ASI for energy state. Then ALT for altitude trend. Recover with minimum inputs — don't chase multiple instruments at once.
APPROACH STATUS
VECTORS TO FINAL
Intercept the localiser. Centre the LOC needle. Gear down before FAF.
APPROACH INSTRUMENTS
AIRSPEED
ALTIMETER
VERT SPEED
HEADING
NEEDLES
LOCALISER
INIT
GLIDESLOPE
INIT
ALTITUDE
3000 ft
DISTANCE
10.0 NM
AIRCRAFT CONTROLS
APPROACH CHECKLIST
ILS QUICK REFERENCE
GS Rate: GS x 5 = FPM
LOC: 4x more sensitive than VOR
DH: 200 ft AGL (CAT I)
Stabilised by 500 ft AGL or GO AROUND
C172S VIRTUAL COCKPIT
ENGINE OFF
STEP 1 OF 8
MASTER SWITCH — ON
Turn the master switch ON. This powers the electrical bus — avionics, instruments, and fuel pump all come alive.
ENGINE
RPM
0
OIL PSI
0
CHT °F
70
VOLTS
0.0
SYSTEM STATE
ANNUNCIATOR
🚨 EMERGENCY PROCEDURES TRAINER
SELECT A SCENARIO — WORK THROUGH THE STEPS — BUILD THE HABIT
These procedures are for sim training purposes modelled on the C172S POH. In a real emergency, always follow your actual POH and ATC instructions. The goal is to build the habit of systematic thinking under pressure.
EMERGENCY DECISION MAKING
AVIATE · NAVIGATE · COMMUNICATE
Always in this order. Fly the aircraft first — altitude and airspeed before everything. Navigate second — find a landing area. Communicate third — declare Mayday on 121.5 and squawk 7700. Most accidents happen because pilots invert this priority.
THE 5 Cs
Confirm the emergency
Checklist — memory items first
Communicate — Mayday, squawk 7700
Consider options — nearest airport, field
Commit — pick a plan and execute it
IN MSFS — PRACTISE FAILURES
Go to: Failures menu → set random failures. Start with engine failures at altitude where you have time to think. Build up to low-altitude engine failures. Then practise electrical failures and vacuum failures (which take out the AI and HI).
GOLDEN RULE
An unexpected silence is always an emergency until proven otherwise. If the engine goes quiet — pitch for best glide (65 KIAS in C172) immediately. Every second of delay costs altitude and options. Don't diagnose first — glide first.
CHECKLISTS — CESSNA 172S
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TRAFFIC PATTERN
DOWNWIND
Parallel to runway, opposite direction. Maintain pattern altitude 1000 ft AGL.
CURRENT LEG
LEG
DOWNWIND
ALTITUDE
1000 ft AGL
AIRSPEED
90 kt
FLAPS
UP
POWER
65%
CALL POINTS
PATTERN TYPE
PATTERN ALTITUDES
Standard height: 1000 ft AGL
Noise abatement: varies by airport
Left traffic: standard unless notified
Downwind distance: ½ – 1 NM from runway
PROCEDURE TURN
OUTBOUND
Flying outbound from the fix on the published course. Fly for 1 minute (at or below 10 NM from the facility).
PHASES
FLIGHT DATA
PHASE
OUTBOUND
HEADING
060°
TIME
0:00
TURN SIDE
LEFT
OPTIONS
Speed: adjust in the slider below
When labelled NO PT: no procedure turn — fly straight in or via the published hold
ANIMATION SPEED
PROCEDURE TURN — THEORY
What it does: Reverses course to align with the inbound approach track without a holding pattern.

Standard 45/180 turn:
1. Fly outbound on published course
2. Turn 45° away from the inbound track
3. Fly 1 minute
4. Turn 180° back toward inbound
5. Intercept and track inbound

Protected airspace: 10 NM either side of the facility. Never go beyond 10 NM from the fix while in the procedure turn.

In MSFS: The G1000 will auto-sequence the procedure turn if you load the approach via PROC. Watch the magenta line — it shows the 45/180 path. Arm APPR before the FAF.
HOLDING PATTERN
ENTRY
Approaching the holding fix. Determine entry type from your heading relative to the holding course.
ENTRY TYPE
ENTRY
DIRECT
HEADING
360°
LEG TIME
1:00
TURNS
0
ENTRY TYPES
DIRECT
Cross the fix and immediately turn to the holding side. Used when approaching from the non-holding side.
PARALLEL
Cross the fix, turn to parallel the inbound course (opposite direction), fly 1 min, turn back to intercept inbound.
TEARDROP
Cross the fix, turn 30° into the holding pattern, fly 1 min outbound, then turn to intercept inbound course.
OPTIONS
TURN DIRECTION
APPROACH HEADING
ANIMATION SPEED
HOLDING — THEORY
Standard hold: right turns, 1 min legs below FL140, 1.5 min above.

Protected airspace: determined by IAS, altitude, and wind. ATC expects you to remain within the charted holding pattern.

Wind correction: apply double the WCA on the outbound leg to compensate. If WCA is 5° left, add 10° left outbound.

Timing: start timing when wings level on outbound OR over the fix — whichever is later. Adjust outbound time to achieve 1-min inbound leg.

In MSFS: The G1000 draws the holding pattern magenta when a hold is active. Engage HDG mode and manually track the oval, or use autopilot HOLD mode if the aircraft supports it.
KNOWLEDGE CHECK
0 answered
TOPIC
⚠ DISCLAIMER: Simple Flight Academy is designed for recreational simulator use only. Content is simplified for learning purposes and must not be used for real-world flight planning, navigation, or pilot training. Always refer to official aviation authorities, certified instructors, and current publications for actual flight operations.
NOT FOR REAL AVIATION USE
HDG 270°
AS 120 KT
ALT 3500 FT
WIND 000/00
RB 000°
DIST -- NM
© 2025 SIMPLE FLIGHT ACADEMY · RECREATIONAL SIMULATOR USE ONLY
🎮
SIM PILOT — QUICK REFERENCE
Everything you need while flying — without leaving the app
📡 LIVE METAR
⚡ V-SPEEDS QUICK REF
🎙 ATC SCRIPTS
📻 RADIO TOOLS
PHONETIC ALPHABET
SQUAWK CODES
7000 — VFR Europe
1200 — VFR N.America
7700 — EMERGENCY
7600 — COMMS FAIL
7500 — HIJACK
2000 — IFR uncontrolled
✅ QUICK CHECKLISTS
🚨 EMERGENCY ACTIONS
🔗 EXTERNAL RESOURCES
⛅
Live METAR
aviationweather.gov
🗺
Graphical Forecast
GFA — aviationweather.gov
✈
SkyVector Charts
VFR/IFR flight planning
📋
Navigraph Charts
Jeppesen approach plates
📝
SimBrief
OFP & flight planning
📡
VATSpy
Live VATSIM traffic
🌐
VATSIM Stats
ATC coverage & pilots
🧭
Little Navmap
Free moving map for MSFS
📦
FlightSim.to
Free MSFS addons
🔧
MSFS Addons
Tools & utilities
📍
Flightradar24
Real-world traffic reference
🗣
Pilot2ATC / VATSIM
Live ATC practice
☁ WEATHER MINIMA (C172S)
VFR CRUISE  · ceiling >3000 ft · vis >5 SM
MVFR      · ceiling 1000-3000 ft · vis 3-5 SM
IFR       · ceiling <1000 ft · vis <3 SM
Class D entry · ceiling >1000 ft · vis >3 SM
Night VFR   · ceiling >3000 ft · vis >5 SM
Carb ice risk · OAT -10°C to +20°C + moisture
🧮 QUICK CALCULATIONS
Top of descent · Alt ÷ 300 = dist to start (NM)
3° glidepath  · GS × 5 = VS required (fpm)
Density alt   · PA + (OAT - ISA) × 120
Crosswind    · Wind × sin(angle)
Headwind     · Wind × cos(angle)
Fuel burn    · C172 ≈ 8.5 USG/hr at 65% pwr
SFA Help & Guide
Everything you need to get the most out of Simple Flight Academy — what each tool does, how to use it, and how to connect it to your MSFS sessions.
✈
JUMP TO:
⬡ GETTING STARTED
1
Start at HOME
The HOME tab is your dashboard. It shows your progress across all 11 lessons, recommends what to do next, and gives you quick access to every tool. Always land here first.
2
Follow the Course Pathway
The pathway on the HOME screen sequences everything in the right order — from basic aerodynamics through to IFR approaches. Each phase builds on the last. Don't skip phases.
3
Read → Simulate → Fly
Every lesson ends with a sim exercise. The pattern is: read the lesson → practise in the relevant simulator → fly the exercise in MSFS. Use SFA alongside your simulator, not instead of it.
4
All progress is saved
Lesson completions, theme preference, text zoom level, and certificate name are all saved to your browser automatically. They persist between sessions on the same device.
💡 RECOMMENDED LEARNING ORDER
Phase 1 — Start with LEARN (Lessons 1–3: Four Forces, AoA, Flight Controls) → then open FLY and try Mission M1.
Phase 2 — LEARN (Instruments) → COCKPIT tab to click every gauge → SCAN trainer → TRAINER (Pre-flight + Engine Start flows).
Phase 3 — TRAINER (Runup + Shutdown flows) → CHECKLISTS → FLY (ADF missions) → VOR/HSI simulator → RADIO scripts.
Phase 4 — WEATHER tab, W&B calculator, WIND triangle planner.
Phase 5 — IFR tab (approach plates) → ILS simulator → EMRG trainer → TRAINER (Failures mode) → full QUIZ.
✈ INTERACTIVE SIMULATORS
✈
FLY — ADF / NDB Simulator
Top-down live map · 5 guided missions

A live top-down map simulator showing your aircraft flying over NDB stations. All six instruments animate in real time — airspeed, attitude, altimeter, turn coordinator, heading indicator, and VSI — responding to your inputs exactly as they would in MSFS.

CONTROLSArrow keys (←→ turn, ↑↓ speed) or on-screen buttons. Drag on the map to reposition. Double-click to set heading.
MISSIONSFive guided exercises: M1 Home to NDB, M2 Tracking, M3 Intercept, M4 Holding Pattern, M5 Crosswind. Each explains the technique before you fly.
TRAILTurn on TRAIL to see your groundtrack. A straight trail in a crosswind means you have the correct wind correction angle.
MSFS TIPAfter practising a mission here, immediately open MSFS and fly the same technique with the ADF. The muscle memory transfers directly.
⊕
VOR / HSI Simulator
Live CDI · HSI · RMI · 4 exercises

A real-time VOR simulator with four live instruments — CDI, HSI, Heading Indicator, and RMI — all updating continuously as you fly. The OBS selector changes your selected course and all four instruments react instantly.

CDI RULEThe CDI needle always deflects AWAY from your selected course. Fly TOWARD the needle to centre it. Full deflection = 10° off course.
TO / FROMTO flag: flying toward the station on your selected course. FROM flag: tracking away. The flag flips when you pass overhead or when the angular difference exceeds 90°.
HSI ADVANTAGEThe HSI is more intuitive because the course pointer rotates with your OBS — the CDI bar shows deviation relative to your selected course regardless of heading.
EXERCISESEX1: Centre the needle. EX2: Intercept a radial from 45°. EX3: Track with wind correction. EX4: Read the HSI. Complete all four in order.
▼
ILS Approach Simulator
3D runway view · LOC + GS needles · PAPI · CAT I / Low vis

A perspective 3D approach simulator with a realistic HUD showing live localiser and glideslope needles, PAPI lights, runway edge lighting, approach lights, and a pulsing decision height warning. Fly manually or engage autopilot to watch a perfect approach.

NEEDLESLocaliser = lateral (left/right). Glideslope = vertical (up/down). Green = centred. Amber = half dot off. Red = full deflection. Never chase a rapidly moving needle.
PAPI4 lights left of runway. All white = too high. 2 red + 2 white = on glideslope. All red = too low. Learn to read PAPI alongside the glideslope needle.
SCENARIOSCAT I: standard visibility, 10 NM final. LOW VIS: fog thickens below 600 ft — the runway appears at the last moment at DH. Fly both.
AUTOPILOTEnable autopilot to see what a perfect stabilised approach looks like, then disable it and try to replicate it manually.
👁
Instrument Scan Trainer
4 modes · Score tracker · Animated instruments

An interactive scan trainer showing all six instruments animating continuously. Four modes take you from passive learning through to timed emergency drills.

LEARN MODEWatch the correct scan pattern animate automatically. The AI highlights for longest — 80–90% of your scan time should be on the attitude indicator.
GAME MODESBasic T, Full Scan, and Emergency modes require you to tap instruments in the correct order. Wrong tap = red flash and correction. Streak counter rewards consistency.
THE RULENever leave the AI for more than 3–4 seconds. Every other instrument is read quickly, then you return to the AI. Always. Even in VMC.
MSFS TIPAfter the scan trainer, open MSFS in IMC. Set a timer. Every 4 seconds you must have returned to the AI. This is the single most important IFR habit.
✈ VIRTUAL COCKPIT TRAINER
✈
C172S Virtual Cockpit Trainer
LEARN → TRAINER · Flows · Free Play · Failures · Live instruments

A fully interactive, stateful Cessna 172S instrument panel drawn on canvas. Every switch, knob, slider, and gauge is clickable and responds in real time. The engine model runs continuously — start it up and watch RPM, oil pressure, CHT, and volts all change as you work through the controls. The six primary flight instruments animate live with engine vibration, prop wash, and gyroscopic effects.

FLOWS MODEFour guided procedure flows walk you step by step through real C172S checklists. The current step is highlighted with an amber ring. Perform the correct action, read the explanation and why it matters, then press NEXT STEP when ready. You control the pace entirely.
PRE-FLIGHT FLOW8 steps: Master on → Avionics off → Fuel selector BOTH → Fuel quantity check → Primer 3 strokes → Throttle cracked → Mixture rich → Beacon on. Every step explains the consequence of getting it wrong.
ENGINE START FLOW7 steps: Brakes set → Area clear → Mags to START → Throttle to 1000 RPM → Oil pressure check → Avionics on → Mags to BOTH. Watch the engine instruments come alive after start.
RUNUP FLOW8 steps: 1800 RPM → Right mag check → Left mag check → Carb heat on/off → Throttle to idle → All gauges green → Flaps set. The magneto checks require you to actually turn to RIGHT and back to BOTH — not just click once.
SHUTDOWN FLOW7 steps: 1000 RPM → Avionics off → Mixture to idle cutoff → Mags off → Master off → Beacon off → Park brake set. Pull the mixture and watch the engine die cleanly.
FREE PLAY MODEEngine starts automatically at cruise power. All instruments animate live. Move the throttle and watch the ASI, VSI, altimeter, and AI all respond. Pull mixture to idle cutoff and watch the engine stop. No steps, no guidance — just explore.
FAILURES MODEFive silent failures inject without warning: Magneto failure (RPM drops at mag check), Fuel starvation (engine quits, restore with BOTH), Carb ice (gradual RPM decrease, apply carb heat), Electrical failure (volts drop, avionics go dark), Vacuum failure (AI and HI tumble, fly partial panel). Each failure shows corrective action instructions in the right panel. Use ✕ Clear to reset.
THE INSTRUMENTSAll six instruments are live and clickable. Click any instrument during a flow or Free Play to get a real-time reading and explanation. The PWR quadrant shows RPM, oil pressure, CHT, and volts at a glance with colour-coded health indicators.
SKIP BUTTONIf you are stuck on a step or want to explore ahead, use the ⏭ SKIP button. It marks the step as skipped and shows a reminder that every step matters in a real pre-flight.
MSFS TIPComplete the Pre-flight and Engine Start flows here first, then open MSFS in cold and dark. Perform the identical flows from memory before your first flight. After a few repetitions the sequence becomes automatic — you will stop missing checklist items.
⚠ FLOWS EXPLAINED
The flows in SFA are training procedures for MSFS simulator use. They are based on the C172S POH structure but simplified for educational purposes. Always refer to the actual POH and a certified instructor for real-world flight operations.
⚙
Engine Model — How it Works
Live RPM · Oil pressure · CHT · Volts · Failure simulation

The engine model runs every animation frame and drives all instrument readings. Understanding it helps you use the trainer effectively.

RPMTracks throttle position with realistic lag. At idle (5% throttle): ~700 RPM. At full power: ~2400 RPM. RPM responds smoothly — not instantly — so move the throttle and wait for it to settle before pressing NEXT STEP.
OIL PRESSURERises with RPM. Reaches the green arc (25+ PSI) within seconds of start. If you do not see green within 30 seconds in a real aircraft, shut down immediately.
CHTCylinder head temperature warms slowly during operation and cools slowly after shutdown. Normal range is green — it will not overheat during normal trainer use.
VOLTS13.8V with alternator running (engine on). 12.2V on battery only (engine off, master on). 0V with master off. Electrical failure causes volts to drain toward zero.
ENGINE STARTRequires: Master ON, Magnetos to START, Fuel selector not OFF, Mixture above 50%, Primer LOCKED. If any condition is missing the starter cranks but the engine does not fire.
ENGINE STOPMixture to IDLE CUTOFF (below 5%) stops the engine cleanly. Fuel selector to OFF also stops it. These are the two intended shutdown methods.
◈ LEARNING TOOLS
◈
LEARN — Ground School Lessons
11 lessons · 5 modules · Progress tracked

11 structured lessons across 5 phases — from the four forces of flight through to ILS approaches and MSFS realism settings. Each lesson ends with a sim exercise you can do immediately in MSFS.

COMPLETIONClick MARK COMPLETE at the bottom of each lesson to record your progress. The HOME dashboard updates instantly and the next lesson loads automatically.
EXERCISESEvery lesson ends with a specific MSFS exercise. Do these. Reading without practising in the sim is the single most common mistake new sim pilots make.
CERTIFICATEComplete all 11 lessons and a certificate is automatically generated. Enter your name and download it.
⊙
COCKPIT — Interactive Panel
Steam gauges + G1000 glass · Click any instrument

A fully animated interactive cockpit in two views. Steam Gauges shows the classic C172S six-pack. Glass Cockpit shows the Garmin G1000 NXi with PFD and MFD — both fully animated and clickable.

STEAM GAUGESClick any instrument to get a full explanation: how it works, what drives it, its failure modes, and how to read it in MSFS.
G1000 VIEWClick any zone on the PFD or MFD to learn what that section does. The AP bar, airspeed tape, altitude tape, heading strip, CDI, and EIS are all explained.
TOGGLEUse the ⊙ STEAM GAUGES / ◈ GLASS (G1000) buttons at the top to switch between views.
🚨
EMRG — Emergency Procedures
5 scenarios · Step-by-step drills · Memory aids

Five interactive emergency drills modelled on the C172S POH: engine failure, electrical failure, pitot icing, cabin fire, and lost communications. Tap each step to mark it complete.

HOW TO USESelect a scenario, read the description, then tap each step in order as if you were actually performing it. Reset and repeat until it is instinctive.
MEMORY AIDSEach emergency has a mnemonic (ABCD for engine failure, ALARMS for electrical). Learn these first — memory items must be done from memory before reaching for the checklist.
MSFS SETUPEach emergency includes MSFS Failures menu setup instructions so you can practise in the sim immediately after drilling here.
DISCLAIMERThese procedures are for simulator training only. Always follow your actual POH and ATC instructions in real aircraft.
◇
QUIZ — Knowledge Check
12 questions · 6 topic filters · Instant feedback

12 multiple-choice questions across aerodynamics, instruments, navigation, weather, and IFR. Filter by topic or run all questions. Immediate feedback explains every answer whether correct or not.

BEST USETake the full quiz after completing each phase. Don't use it as a first introduction to a topic — use it to verify you understood the lesson.
WRONG ANSWERSRead the explanation for every wrong answer carefully. The explanations are often more useful than the questions.
⚖ TOOLS & CALCULATORS
☁
WEATHER — METAR Decoder + Density Altitude
30+ field types · Flight category · DA calculator

Paste any real-world METAR and get it decoded field by field in plain English with automatic flight category (VFR / MVFR / IFR / LIFR). The density altitude calculator shows the performance penalty at high or hot airports.

REAL METARSCopy METARs from aviationweather.gov, ForeFlight, or SkyVector and paste them directly. All standard and special fields are decoded.
FLIGHT CATEGORYVFR (green): ceiling >3000 ft, vis >5 SM. MVFR (blue): 1000–3000 ft / 3–5 SM. IFR (red): 500–1000 ft / 1–3 SM. LIFR (magenta): below 500 ft / below 1 SM.
DENSITY ALTHigh elevation + high temperature = high density altitude = longer takeoff roll, reduced climb rate. Enter pressure altitude and OAT for an instant calculation.
MSFS TIPSet the MSFS weather to match a real METAR using the custom weather option. Then decode that METAR here before you spawn to practise real pre-flight planning.
📡
RADIO — ATC Scripts + Pronunciation
7 full scripts · Phonetic alphabet · Text-to-speech drill

Seven complete ATC script scenarios from first call to landing — VFR departure, flight following, IFR clearance (CRAFT format), ILS approach, emergency 7700. Plus a full audio pronunciation drill you tap to hear.

HOW TO USE SCRIPTSRead the ATC lines silently. Say the pilot lines OUT LOUD. Repeat until you can say them without looking. This is the only way to build RT fluency.
PHONETIC DRILLTap any letter to hear it. Tap any ATC phrase to hear the full script spoken. Use the Spell It feature to practise your own callsign phonetically.
CRAFT FORMATIFR clearance: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder. Memorise this acronym — every IFR clearance worldwide follows this structure.
MSFS TIPTune Pilot2ATC or Vatsim alongside SFA. Read the scripts here first, then try the calls for real. The confidence from knowing the script exactly is significant.
⚖
W&B — Weight, Balance & Performance
3 aircraft · CG envelope · Crosswind · Takeoff performance

A complete pre-flight load planner for three aircraft (C172S, DA40 NG, PA-28 Arrow). Calculates gross weight, CG position, and plots the result on the aircraft's envelope diagram. Also includes a crosswind calculator and takeoff performance estimator.

SELECT AIRCRAFTUse the buttons at the top to switch between C172S, DA40 NG, and PA-28 Arrow. All calculations, V-speeds, and the CG envelope update for the selected aircraft.
CG ENVELOPEThe amber dot on the chart shows your calculated CG. It must be inside the green envelope to fly. Aft CG (too far back) is more dangerous than forward CG.
CROSSWINDEnter wind direction, speed, and runway heading. The diagram shows crosswind and headwind components instantly. C172S limit: 15 kt demonstrated crosswind.
PERFORMANCEDensity altitude drives takeoff roll significantly. At 8000 ft DA on a hot day, ground roll can be 2–3× the sea-level figure. Always check before departing elevated airports.
☑
CHECKLISTS
3 aircraft · 5 phases each · Tap-to-check

Complete checklists for C172S, DA40 NG, and PA-28 Arrow across five phases: Pre-flight, Engine Start, Before Takeoff, Cruise, and Landing/Shutdown. Tap any item to check it off.

AIRCRAFT SWITCHSelect your aircraft at the top. Checklists are specific to each type — the DA40 NG includes G1000 initialisation steps and Jet-A fuel checks; the Arrow includes gear and constant-speed prop items.
HOW TO USEOpen MSFS, spawn on the ramp, then open SFA on a second screen or device. Work through the checklist alongside the sim. This builds the discipline of never skipping items.
PA-28 ARROWThe Arrow checklist emphasises gear checks — retractable gear requires explicit confirmation on downwind, base, final, and shutdown. Gear-up landings are one of the most common sim accidents.
✦ IFR REFERENCE
✦
IFR — Interactive Approach Plates
4 plate types · All zones clickable · Briefing walkthrough

Four fully annotated approach plates covering every major approach type. Click or tap any zone on any plate to get a detailed explanation of what that section means and how to use it in MSFS.

ILS RWY 24L · CYYZ
Precision approach with glideslope. DA 200 ft AGL. The most accurate approach type — learn this first.
VOR RWY 25 · CYOW
Non-precision with step-down fixes and timing. MDA 986 ft AGL. No glideslope — you hold MDA until the MAP.
RNAV (GPS) RWY 06 · CYHM
LPV (WAAS) gives ILS-equivalent DA 400 ft AGL. LNAV fallback at 840 ft AGL. Most common modern approach type.
NDB RWY 33 · CYKZ
Classic ADF approach. No CDI, no glideslope. ADF needle and timing only. Highest workload. MDA 890 ft AGL.
BRIEFING ORDERAlways brief in this sequence: Header → Frequencies → Plan View → Profile View → Minimums → Missed Approach. Never start the approach without completing all six steps.
KEY DIFFERENCEILS and LPV give you a DA (vertical guidance, decision at one point). VOR and NDB give you an MDA (no vertical guidance, hold a floor until a time/distance point). The procedures are fundamentally different.
PROCEDURES TABSwitch to the PROCEDURES sub-tab for written theory on ILS anatomy, SIDs, clearance format (CRAFT), holding, and approach categories.
🎮 MSFS SETUP TIPS
Assistance Settings
Turn off Auto-Rudder, Auto-Trim, and Crash Detection for realistic training. Keep AI Co-Pilot off. Set ATC to realistic. These changes make SFA's training directly applicable to what you experience in the sim.
G1000 NXi Mod (free)
Install the Working Title G1000 NXi from the MSFS Marketplace (free). It dramatically improves G1000 accuracy including proper LPV approach support, correct CDI switching, and accurate autopilot modes — matching what SFA's COCKPIT glass view shows.
Second Screen Setup
Run MSFS on your main monitor and SFA on a tablet or second screen. Open the IFR plate, checklist, or approach briefing on SFA while flying in MSFS. This is the closest you can get to having a kneeboard in a real aircraft.
Failures Menu
Use MSFS Failures → Propulsion → Engine 1 → Fail to practise the EMRG engine failure procedure. Start at 5,000 ft with plenty of options. Then move to lower altitudes as confidence builds. Always brief your intentions before enabling failures.
QNH Setting
Press B in MSFS for automatic QNH, or use the altimeter knob for realism. Always obtain QNH from the ATIS (decode it in SFA's WEATHER tab) before taxiing. An incorrect altimeter setting is one of the most common sim errors.
IFR Flight Planning
Use Simple Flight Planner to plan your route, then tap the Academy link in SFP to open SFA pre-loaded with your departure, destination, and flight rules. The flight brief will show weather and the correct approach plate for your destination.
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✈
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