SIMCOM any good?

[youngskywalker]

Hi,

My company are looking to send myself and my colleague to the Simulator shortly (kingair), Ive been getting quotes from the usual Flightsafety, Simuflite etc but SIMCOM are way cheaper than the rest. Does anybody know why this is? I believe some of the simulators are non motion but other than that I can't see what else. Is it a case of paying for the good reputation of the other two centres or do you really get what you pay for? SIMCOM seem like a decent bunch, very good communication from them, the other two take days/weeks to respond to emails.

Any advice appreciated.

[ahramin]

The biggest difference is the quality of the training products. FlightSafety has all the fancy PowerPoint animations, full colour training manuals, incomparable checklists, etc. The Simcom manual is nowhere near the quality of the FlightSafety one and their checklist is a throwaway item.

You are just as likely to receive a good or bad instructor at all of them. No difference in quality there.

Many of the Simcom king air simulators are not motion, but have better wraparound visuals than most motion sims. Unless you need motion to satisfy regs i would not say that one is any better than the other.

What you do want to make sure is that if you are going to a BE20 sim it is actually a BE20 sim and not a BE90 with the torque and temp gauges swapped out between sessions. Or vice versa.

[youngskywalker]

Thanks for that, pretty much what I expected. I guess you can get good and bad at both!

Cheers

[Paradise Lost]

Simcon staff all very friendly, facility smart and tidy, simulators basic but functional. As previously observed, if the training satisfies your aviation licence requirements, give them your business and save a great deal of money.

[Check 6]

I have been to all three companies, but only FSI in the KingAir. My first time in the KA was great, but the second time was a joke and I had the classroom instructor replaced because he did not have a clue.

I have used SimCom twice - PC-12 and Lear 35, and I am happy with their instructors and simulators.

FSI (FlightSafety Intl) and SimuFlite do have better manuals and checklists than SimCom, but SimCom is at least 50% cheaper.

[falconflier]

We tried SimCom for two annual Part 91 Hawker 800 recurrents that coincided with NBAA Orlando after using Simuflite for several years. Also did my Citation initial PIC type in Scottsdale that involved ground school and sim training on the C-II, differences for the C-V and checkride in a C-I, also part 91. I agree with the previous statements, particularly regarding the manuals, but it was far from a negative experience. While the facilities in Florida and Arizona are a bit more modest from what you'll find at Simuflite DFW, for example, the sims and instructors were quite satisfactory. Not able to offer judgement on FlightSafety, I'm a big fan of the Simuflite manuals having also done my initial PIC type on the Falcon 20 there. That being said, the boss has decided that all recurrent training for both aircraft will done at Simuflite or FlightSafety in the future, despite the considerable difference in cost. I have heard though, that SimCom turboprop training is one of their strong suits.

[mahi]

Hi,
Can you please suggest me the cheapest company offering King Air B 200 Sim timein the USA.

Thanks
Regards
Mahi

[SnowPilot]

There are quite a few instructors that teach in king airs if you have yours and want the training in the actual plane. There are a lot of insurance companies that don't accept this type of training anymore.

I've gone to simcom for a long time in the King Air 90. Some of the pictures they use in class is actually our airplane so we've been with them a long time. I also train at FSI for a different airplane.

In my opinion SimCom does an amazing job. Their instructors have actual experience and aren't just reading from a book. If you want to look at a windshield they will bring you over to the parts room and show you a windshield.

One time at FSI the instructor forgot to put the sim in motion. To this day I swear it was on motion but I know now it wasn't. i couldn't tell the difference. Simcom uses non motion sims but they do a great job with what they have. Plus the lower costs involved is pretty nice too.

[B200Drvr]

I used Simcom Orlando for my HS 125 800 type. Was a great experience, have used FSI since for recurrent and don't see a whole heap of difference. As has been said above, if cost is an issue, use Simcom. HS sim. is Level C full motion.

[stickjoc]

we use them for our Beech 300 recurrents every year, the FTD does the job we need, and the instructors are all current insructors in the plane:ok:
i give them a 10/10 when you consider their prices compared to others.

[FRQ Charlie Bravo]

Is SimCom still operating? Googling them I just get sent to the Pan Am Academy website which shows no AZ address.

I'm looking for some info on a type rating (referred to as an Endorsement here) for a B737-300 or newer or an A320. I'd like to stay in Arizona as I've got family there but I have no idea who is still doing what as it's been a very long time since I've been back.

I've got some funding (GI Bill) that I need to use up and I can only use it in the US.

Thanks in advance,

FRQ CB

[youngskywalker]

yep still operating, I was communicating with SIMCOM yesterday. Not sure they do Boeing ratings though.

Excellent facility, I would definatly use them again, if i had a job and an aircraft to fly...:{

[Check 6]

Their web site is SimCom Simulator Training Centers (http://www.simulator.com) They are not associated with Pan Am Academy any longer.

I highly recommend them. Quality training + reasonable prices.

[clivewatson]

Check out Prestosim in Dallas for Citation and B200 training. I've used them twice or three times and have nothing but praise to pass on. Excellent instructors, really bargain pricing. It's true to say that their Citation sim is not one of the newest, (I don't know about the B200), but overall they are great guys who give a personal service tailor made to your requirements.

[PPRuNeUser0215]

Flight Safety is a gentle joke compared to any in house airline european training... I hope simcom and others are just as bad or better but not worse.

Goooooooood jooooooob !

[Crosswind Limits]

I certainly remember gooooood joooooob too!! :p

[cl601pilot]

I have used several of the professional simulator companies for initial and recurrent training. Simcom is just as professional as any of the other facilities.

A good instructor is what makes the difference. Just make sure that you get a good instructor. If you don't have a talk with a program manager or the director of training.

My personal preference is to use Simuflite. I find that they have really good manuals, ground school and simulators. As well as a very diverse staffing.