Are you an SFI... or want to be one?

[Geoffersincornwall]

Then you may be interested in catching up with the story so far at "Confessions of a Sim Instructor". There's a blog for you to make your own views known as well. The latest chapters have just been added at www.simtrainer.co.uk

G.

[Self loading bear]

"502 Bad gateway"

Does that say it all?

Cheers SLB

[Democritus]

No problem with seeing it here SLB - looks like an interesting read.

[Self loading bear]

No problem with seeing it here SLB - looks like an interesting read.

Yes, from IPad it works,
My iPhone didn't

SLB

[Ex Machina]

Great content Geoffers. It should promote some interesting discussions.

Ex M

[Geoffersincornwall]

Thanks, EM.

I think we need to praise all the good things that Flight Simulation brings to our industry but let's not pretend it's perfect. We need a healthy debate so that we don't get steamrollered by a few big sim makers.

The remarkable capabilities of virtual technology offer a great future but we MUST pay attention to the reliability of the current generation of sims and somehow devise a way of reconfiguring the cockpit to enable the various iterations of autopilots to be taught accurately and effectively. It's no good complaining about incidents and accidents caused by the mismanagement of automation when we are delivering TR's in a sim with a totally different AP configuration to the one the end user will operate in real life. These are not just 'inconveniences', they are serious handicaps being built into an approved course.

Where is a regulator when you need one?

G.

[Geoffersincornwall]

My thanks to those that have managed to communicate your views by various covert means. Does the fact that you feel the need for complete anonymity says something about our so-called 'just culture'. Oh well - hi di hi... it was ever so... Anyway, it seems I will have to write a blog chapter about IOS training and the general preparation for life at the IOS station. One old friend felt bold enough to slag-off the IOS training he received at a well known ATO something rotten. I need to do some homework on this subject before I burst into print for the problem may be nothing to do with the ATO but may lie with the course mandate issued by the authorities.

If YOU have any comments about IOS training or the preparation you received in readiness for your new role as an SFI/SFE then please send me a PM with your comments or send me an e-mail.

Alternatively, if you were the victim of a poorly trained SFI tell me about your experiences.

G.

[RVDT]

Goffers,

Horses for courses -

Standardisation, standardisation, standardisation. Sounds like your harp.

I have done sim rides in the same type in different countries and the differences are huge to the point
that if you are stuck with one type of culture you would have difficulty comprehending the other.

Its a can of worms and SFI's have the opener. Standardisation.

Have not read your blog for a while but you certainly have the right angle.

Keep up the good work!

[Geoffersincornwall]

RVDT - FSTD's - so much potential for good but much of it being dissipated by dysfunctional elements of the equipment and the supporting structures such as instructor training, regulation and a lack of rigour in the competency management processes.
G.

[megan]

Geoff, passed your link to a local C & T who also now does the line pilot sim work (fixed wing). Most impressed he reports back. :ok:

[Geoffersincornwall]

Thanks, Megan - Our little corner of the profession needs some attentiom as we are currently undervalued and misunderstood. A good SFI adds value but few understand what 'good' looks like. I came to the world of the SFI having had the benefit of a military QHI course and four years teaching day in day out. My perspective is, therefore, a little different from the average TRI. If the industry wants 'good' SFI's then it should review the process by which they are given that privilege. A simulator is a very challenging place to work and no one should be asked to teach in it without being given the tools required. A simulator is just a heap of useless technology unless it is in the hands of a well-prepared instructor.

G.

[Non-PC Plod]

I think you need to take a holistic view on this. Yes, of course you need well-trained motivated instructors....but the best instructor in the world is not much good if he is following a poorly-thought-out syllabus/ scenario.

The driver for good training has to be the guy paying for it. This may be the operator, or it may be his customer (eg oil companies). If this guy is just writing cheques in exchange for ticked boxes, then nothing is going to improve. What we need is people in the training manager positions who are fully familiar with simulator training capabilities, and who have sufficient motivation to demand training which is of a high standard in ALL respects. That means taking time to decide on what they want as their training objectives, and working out the best way to achieve these rather than just being content with 6 hours logged in the box.

[Geoffersincornwall]

NPCP - you're singing my kind of song. Yes, once you have a capable sim instructor the next thing on the agenda is what to teach, and then maybe how to teach it. Where do we start? How about 'rigour'?

G