Practice for sim tests

[jumbojetset]

Anybody out there got any thoughts on practicing for sim tests?

There's Flight Sim of course, and even a single/twin with its nice price tag to match!!

Is it even neccesary, as they are supposed to be looking for improvement etc........

what about jet sims for hire to get a bit of practice?
They dont have to be motion, certified, have visuals or even too fancy, I just feel a bit of practice would be good, or at least a confidence boost.

I know about the trident sim down south and all that, but I live near Manchester and something a bit closer would be nice. Any comments greatly appreciated:)

Jumbojetset:ok:

[cleared24right]

What about the 737-200 at the Yorkshire Flight Centre about 200 quid an hour or something. Its near Harogate, North Yorks

[Pilot Pete]

jumbojetset

It comes down to personal choice. If you have not flown say a jet sim before and have a sim assessment in a jet sim coming up then unless you are Chuck Yaeger then practicing in something similar will be of benefit to you. If it is a big step up for you then the first thing you will notice is just how quickly everything happens, how sensitive it is in pitch, how the nose comes up when you put power on (and vice versa) and how you need handfuls of thrust lever to make comparitively small changes in speed.

What you have to remember is in a sim assessment they are looking for improvement, yes, but they are also looking for a reasonable level to start with. Better to start off (comparatively) well and improve on that than make a pigs ear of your first departure/ ILS and then just about scrape a reasonable one together on subsequent attempts.

Practice will get you used to making finer adjustments and having a better 'ballpark' figure to aim at to achieve say straight and level, a level off in descent or rotation rate etc etc. Yes, sims are expensive, but look at the number of guys who are currently getting rejection letters from Britannia, many due to below par sim performance. In the big scheme of things a few hundred quid more could have potentially put them on the ladder for their airline career, now perhaps they may have to wait months or heaven forbid a year or two to secure similar employment.

A lot of it comes down to how much you want it.

Best of luck.

PP

[Biggles_WannaB]

pilot pete,

im in a similar position to jumbojetset - i have stage 3/4 coming soon for the CTC McAlpine sponsorship and i think it may be wise to get in some practice.

do you know of any reasonable sims located in or around london?

thanks,

Biggles

[Pilot Pete]

Try the Trident near Biggin Hill for a jet sim. Ex Guildhall students get preferential rates on their King Air(?) sim near The Tower of London.

PP

[Pub User]

MS Flight Sim is great for learning procedures - if you know them beforehand.

The Trident Sim nr Biggin Hill is a good old-fashioned thing, which is a pig to fly, so it's great practice for a sim-check. If you can fly that you can fly anything.

I live near Manchester too, but I drove down there twice to practice for my sim-check. It's a very small investment compared to the one you've already made, and the potential reward. Remember, some people are paying for Type-Ratings at the moment.

Lest I be accused of advertising, PM me for the location & 'phone number if you're interested.

[Biggles_WannaB]

thanks for the info Pilot Pete and Pub user - ill be sure to give that one a try!

pub user - check your PMs pls.

Biggles

[Pilot Pete]

I used the Trident sim many moons ago and it worked out at something like £50 per hour......which was unbeatable. I also paid a Monarch F/O (his name escapes me now) who was familiar with running it for an hour or so of his time to take me through the profile I was attempting to learn. Did the trick.

When I got the call for a 'big' aeroplane sim check I went at short notice to GECAT Gatwick (the only availability I could get) and did two hours in a 73 sim before my 'make or break' assessment. It cost me nigh on £800 and I flew it like I had one arm and one leg....! Awful. But, two days later I passed my assessment with flying colours, mainly due to remembering all my errors and working on those in my mind (in an armchair!) before the day. I considered the £800 to be a lot of money............but well spent as it got me from a piston twin onto a 757 course. Personal choice though and only you know how much you want a job and how good your jet handling is. If you want it enough and the opportunity is there on a plate you will make sure you do everything to maximise your chances of success. If you do not want it enough and just approach it as any other selection you will probably not shine and those who do want it enough will. Which one would you employ in the current market?

I know 2 people who have failed Britannia sim assessments recently and who are kicking themselves for not getting some time in before the day. What you have to understand is it could mean a few more years striving to get yourself even another shot at a sim assessment for another large airline. Put it in perspective and decide how hard you are going to push to secure the job. Don't let an opportunity pass for a reason that you could have controlled. If you don't get selected let it be because others were better, not because you screwed up.

Good luck.

PP