[bigallen]

For what it’s worth, I really really enjoy flying over places I did/will travel to. Last year, I had a backpacking trip of Yosemite valley planned I was very nervous about. I flew the route a few times (in an F-22) and it calmed me down, knowing when I’ll be climbing, when I’ll have the best views, etc. Probably not a standard use, just my $0.02

[bombcar]

This is actually the use that a number of private pilots I know personally - they fly an unfamiliar route in the simulator.

Yes it’s not a professional flying simulator but it’s good enough to get an idea of where you’re going, what you’re doin, what you’ll see and it helps tremendously especially when you’re flying VFR if you don’t have GPS.

[ryandvm]

Ha. I thought I was the only person that did this. I have a very spatial memory and before a vacation I love to fly around the area at low speed and build up my model of the terrain.