For anyone like me who immediately scoffed and said "there's no way you can use X-Plane for actual FAA currency requirements," it turns out you can if you have appropriately certified hardware controls to go with it: https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/...
Be careful with this. I used to give aircraft simulator instruction and had to learn that AC backwards and forwards. Bottom line is it's not enough just to get a certified yoke and throttle quadrant. The entire package, hardware and software together, has to be "authorized," not just "certified." The instrument for this is a Letter of Authorization (LOA) that spells out exactly which kinds of currency/experience can be logged on that specific Aviation Training Device, and the approved aircraft configurations (e.g. SR20, PA-28R, BE-76). No LOA, no hours. If you can get a copy of the manufacturer's LOA, and the experience you want is in that letter, go for it! Otherwise, you've just got a very expensive video game.
