How real can we get? Using gaming joysticks, sometimes yoke & pedals, on a 14-20' screen?
We built a Avro Shackleton simulator on a trailer, using actual seats, yoke, pedals & throttle quad, with a screen in the cockpit & a projector for the scenery. All using FS2004 with a payware Avro Shackleton add-on, with freeware South African scenery. The PC was Windows 7 with onboard graphics.
Re realized that it was the Immersion factor that was more important than realism, when we saw real pilots 'bump' in the seats when anticipating touchdown.
So, the Real Deal? It's all about the immersion factor, and that works for any aircraft, even boats & cars, in FS2004.