Originally Posted by
Geoff Williams
I have to agree that sims are a great tool for practicing systems emergencies and procedural stuff. But… a word of caution. As has been said they are not real aircraft. And as good as the techo guys are at doing the software, there have been instances where subsequent real events have caused a programming change to be made to the relevant sim.
Last ride I did in the C+ at WPB we did deck take offs at 12,700 lbs with a 15 kt tail wind and lost one engine at the point of rotation and flew ‘the sim’ away OEI and ‘lived’. Doesn’t mean the same might happen in the real world.
Certainly a great tool, but not totally definitive.
Geoff
I think Geoff has nailed it!! FIRSTLY, a great tool for procedures training (normal, emergencies); SECONDLY, with the appropriate visuals and ability to programme weight, weather, etc, and outstanding tool for maintaining currencies such as IF and basic skills; THIRDLY, and probably most important (as a sim instructor I feel this is really the key point) people who create these pieces of kit are technoweenies (no offence) and generally not very current in the aircraft type that they're creating a simulator for...therefore, there will always be a disconnect between what the sim does (feel, performance) and what the aircraft does...recognising that there are differences determines what you can and can't do well in the 'box'.
On the whole, a good simulator is worth its weight in gold for training as long as you recognise that its not a replacement for flying.
My 3.1415 cents worth.
HP