Yes, even if you only fly the simulator.
I was on a Gulfstream course in the US and there was a gentleman in the class who waited did his fingerprinting on arrival at Flight Safety. The TSA approval arrived back *just* in time for him to start sim training (he could do CPTs without it, that's it) - he was beginning to worry... extra stress that could have been avoided.
Also, a mechanic friend of mine was on a maintenance course and they had a session or two in the sim to learn ground runs, troubleshooting, etc. They could start engines and run a few drills and stuff, but they couldn't close the door, put the motion on, or take it "up" for a fun circuit since none of them had (nor required) the TSA clearance.
Last edited by surveytheworld; 23rd March 2013 at 19:43.