So you Would like to be a Pilot?

Well there are several free flight simulators available to the PC over several operating systems, like Windows and Linux. One of them which is not free, Microsoft's Flight Simulator (there are many versions, the latest being FSX which I do not have), is a popular format, but unfortunately does not include much flexibility for military type operations in its engine.
But civil air operations are simulated well with many, many payware products available. Teach your son and daughter how to fly a 400 tonne Boeing 747 (or like me get behind the yoke on the massive Twin engined 777, which was co-designed by Qantas pilots) with the payware (and several freeware like Ifly 747 available at Avsim) simulating the navigation systems and flight computers which must be pre-programmed before pushback.
Flight Simulation has reached new heights, it is so real compared to the first flight simulator ever released by Microsoft. Flying isn't so hard if you know what you are doing. The real work comes in to knowing the aircraft you are flying and navigating it (by using the FMC-Flight Management Computer). Quite often pilots with little or no Instrument Flying Qualifications end up dead because they flew into cloud or bad weather, or worse, night time, when they shouldn't. Airmanship involves discipline which is a major factor in safety for aviation. The pilots with bad discipline are always on radar, and often end up dead or with huge investigations over their heads.
A Cathay Pacific pilot once said to me (I have experienced the same shift work these guys are subjected to) they wouldn't dare recommend this type of work to their children. Not only the shift work, but the family life, and the extreme responsibility which is needed for a top airline like Cathay, is very tiring and if a pilot attains more than 20 years service with such an airline, I would be very surprised. Only the young, bright and sharp, ex-Air Force pilots (Canada, British, Australian and American) are able to handle the extreme demands of life as a pilot in the airline industry with Cathay.
I regard Cathay as the best airline (with Emirates, Singapore and Qantas coming 2nd) in the world, but to be the best sacrifices are always necessary.......

Visit Avsim for interesting simulation experience in Microsoft's simulation.