Yes, they are. An assessment is made of your past experience and the standards are set accordingly. The person conducting the simulator assessment is experienced and practiced at it. Do not assume that there is anything haphazard in the methodology.
We do (literally) THOUSANDS of these sim rides, and are able to assess (normally, within minutes) the candidates' past experience.
If you REALLY REALLY want to do some prep, then:
1. Study the profile. Know it off pat. You are given guidelines as to thrust lever angles, EPR settings, etc.
2. Beg/Borrow/Steal a cockpit schematic or one of those poster-style photos and memorize the instrument layout. Know where the EPR and Fuel-Flow guages are. Memorize where the ASI needle should be in various phases of the profile.
3. Revise your 1, 2 and 3 times table. Take out your grade 2 textbooks and swot joined-up writing.
Folks, this is not a 747 sim ride. It is an assessment of your basic instrument flying and handling skills. If you have 747 experience, you will be expected to perform like a 747-qualified pilot. If you fall short of the expected level of proficiency for a 747 qualified pilot, you will be deemed unsuitable. If you start off flying it mediocre, average or well, you will be expected to improve during the session as a validation of your trainability.
Don't buy 747 simulator time. They're taking candy from babes.
Last edited by Cpt. Underpants; 9th August 2002 at 14:53.