Concerning the SIM session:
I prepared at home using MS Flightsim. Not kidding.
Not to learn flying raw data but to get an idea of the instrument layout
of a 737-300 and develop a scan etc. Believe it or not but I found that
to be a big point when I sat in a Boeing aircraft for my first time later
during the assessment day.
My airfield was as well GLA23, but with a very old chart which contained
everything of a standard instrument approach, like tracking NDB,
tracking VOR, procedure turn and finally an ILS. Get up to speed about
holding entries, TIMINGS (!) during procedural turns, headings etc.
You have to brief your colleague in the sim and you make easy points
with the instructor if you have all that stuff ready to use instead of
"err........heading.....err......110 for about......20 ?? seconds......"
Some tips:
DonŽt try to be hero.
YouŽll get a brief for speeds and configuration and my advice: stick to them.
Take the speed out early. You win time and can consider what to do next.
Keep vertical speed changes to a minimum. I found the 737 to be a bit
agressive in pitch so I kept the V/S very small like 500ft/min, thus avoiding
large thrust changes and guess what: the airplane flew easy and stable.
Fly the airplane. Avoid getting behind. BRIEF YOUR COLLEAGUE WHAT YOU DO.
CRM skills are appreciated. Share your thoughts if in doubt. Ask for
comments during briefings. ORDER what you need and FLY the airplane.
I found the sim day quite relaxed and in a nice atmosphere. No problems.
I passed by the way.
Good luck.
