The UK CAA have made it a prerequisite that pilots intending to use the Cat A vertical profiles for the S76 shall have undergone training in those profiles in the sim prior to practising them in the aircraft. Even then the profiles may not be practised in the aircraft to OEI touchdown. Only the continued take off may be practised OEI. This came about after a number of incidents/accidents whilst carrying out training on these profiles which resulted in airframe damage. The risk assessment indicated that sim training was required. Most people I have spoken to who have undergone the sim experience prior to using the profiles for real agree that, in spite of some anomalies, much can be gleaned from the exercise.
As for SASLess`s ill informed rant - a number of operators prefer to use their own instructors because it allows them to carry out the training in accordance with their own Ops Manuals and also to conduct valid licensing checks on the trainees. The staff sim instructors cannot be expected to be current on all operators` individual OPs Manuals. Incidentally, the Nigerians I have met at the sim I visit on an occasional basis have always done their approaches at Lagos or home operating base and the offshore section on one of their own rigs but then why let the actuality spoil a good rant, especially when it`s about Bristow.