I spent some time on a Cessna 172 Flightgear sim to get an idea for the plane and its controls (to get some background for some fiction that I'm writing). With the virtual cockpit it's possible to learn where all the controls and indicators are and what they do, as well as get an understand of the basics of takeoff, landing, and level flight. Radionavigation and the autopilot system were also interesting items that I didn't know much about until I tried it out in sim.
Obviously this isn't a replacement for real training and experience. But someone with sim experience who knows how to read the instruments and control the yoke, rudder, and throttle would likely have a much better chance surviving than one who would freak out just trying to comprehend the instrument panel. They would probably be under much less stress as well during the event.
Obviously this isn't a replacement for real training and experience. But someone with sim experience who knows how to read the instruments and control the yoke, rudder, and throttle would likely have a much better chance surviving than one who would freak out just trying to comprehend the instrument panel. They would probably be under much less stress as well during the event.