Originally Posted by
gulliBell
An hour or two in the simulator would have been useful. Time and time again I saw IR ticketed S76 pilots who had no idea which buttons to push and when. Once it is explained to them, and they get a bit of practice, they have a good foundation to then not screw up within 30 seconds when they find themselves in the real stuff. Competency in these Level D simulators should translate to competency when you need to do it for real. This simulated stuff with foggles in R44's doesn't cut the mustard as far as I'm concerned.
If you are flying an R44, basic IF and IFR competence is sure to be better than no training. And an FAA IR certainly involves a lot more than a bit of IF under goggles as part of a VFR qualification. But it needs to be refreshed. Targetted IFR night work and low visibility procedure training, not just a bit VMC with goggles on (assuming a non-certified aircraft).
But if you are flying passengers in a complex type like an S76, with a decent AFCS, and in an area known for fog and marginal visibility, layered with complex airspace, which provides high levels of service and ways to get an aircraft from A to B and C in poor weather, then you really should be doing proper Level D simulations of what you are very likely to encounter in your job.
This isn‘t even about decent emergency training to manage the aircraft properly; it is basic competence according to aircraft and qualifications.