If you're up to speed on the Seneca, then do some time in the Sim towards the end of the IR module, never at the beginning.
CFB What is your reasoning behind this recommendation?
Dependent on the simulator qualification/approval level I can see advantages and disadvantages in completing sim time 1st or last, I would be interested to know why you would elect to use the sim last?
If you have a good FNPT2 with experienced instructors then sim time can surely be utilised highly effectively to familiarise the student with IFR flying and if the simulator is closely matched to the aircraft to be used for the training, then initial familiarisation is more cost effective and the transition to the aircraft is minimal.
If however the college has a tin box sim which is treated as such and the instructors do not consider sim time as proper training time then it is more worthwhile for the student to be in the aircraft than wasting time in ineffective training.
The simulators can be seen as "cheap training". Approx £100-£150 per hour versus a multi engine a/c approx £300 - £450 per hour. This is only the case if used properly. Will a student get more value out of 1 hour airborne than 2 hours in the sim? This will obviously depend on how the FTO view the use of simulators in training.
With the JAA leaning towards more time in the simulator and with new highly advanced simulators on the market, I refer back to CFB's quote and am interested to hear his reasoning.
(This is not meant to be argumentative in any way, I was just surprised to hear his recommendation and would like to know why?)