le Pingouin
le Pingouin
The instructors are teaching what you need to know to pass the academy course. They are required to hold endorsements for the airspace/aerodromes they are teaching and are themselves checked regularly similar to field controllers. They also undergo an instructor's course before starting in the classroom/simulator. They have also seen the simulator exercises a number of times so they can concentrate on what you need to learn and teach to that, knowing where the "traps" are and assess your handling.
Although instructors may not have been in the field for a while, they will have a comprehensive knowledge of ATC procedures so they can prepare you for your final posting. E.g. a tower instructor will take you through radar towers, regional class D and urban D. You need to learn it all. An instructor direct from the field will have worked only one of these for years.
Approaching the course with your "far from ideal" is not the way to start.