Figure I might as well add to this thread since it hasn't died down quite yet.On Saturday last weekend, I had a chance to evaluate a flight school using a Zenith 601 similar to one I'd like to buy after I have my Sport Pilot ticket.I was forced to rely on visual vs. instrument references, since I flew "right seat" (the pilot who took me for the eval flight wasn't quite a CFI yet). My Zenith had a glass cockpit, which was hard to see from my POV on the right side of the aircraft when flying. I found I was MUCH better at staying at my altitude and speed vs. relying on the instruments (instrument, really), which is in tune with what many have said here. By picking a point of reference on the horizon and the aircraft and using that to set my speed (pitch), I was able to hold my airspeed and altitude to +/- 2kts and +/- 20 feet.Maybe it was the Zenith, since the Allegro I've flown in all my other lessons is a wee bit touchy, but I believe it was my finally having my head forced out of the cockpit and forced to rely on my gut feelings, hearing and visual cues that helped me manage affairs better. They drilled something into me Saturday trying to share their ground school philosophy--first "Fly" the aircraft. For me I find that's making my senses as in tune with the aircraft as they can be. But heck, I don't even have ten hours yet, so what do I know?-John

I think the best thing that happened to me was TrackIR as regards that, I can even fly the helo's now thanks to that simple addition of *roll of drums* Situational awareness.So for me now it's TrackIR and VC all the way.