Career as simulator technician - comments?

[mrblenny]

Was hoping some people might have insights into working as a simulator technician? I am on the home stretch of the B2 theory component at a Brisbane training college and this is possibly a career option. I presume I could not complete my journal but perhaps the pay and conditions are similar/better to the LAME route.

Cheers,
Damo

[ZFT]

The frank answer is the days of the traditional highly skilled and versatile simulator technician/engineer are more or less over.

The latest generation of simulators for the latest generation of aircraft use system software (object code only )supplied by the airframe manufacturers, COTS hardware and COTS software for virtually all the ‘engines’, either standard aircraft avionics or retargeted/rehosted avionics within the flightdeck and commercial packages for most of the other areas (e.g. Sound)

Unfortunately long gone are the days of being able to update hardware and software, unless you are fortunate to still work on older generation equipment. Other than the IOS, there is virtually no way of incorporating any changes. Maintenance is now nothing more than swap outs and endless running of QTGs.

One last point to consider, nowhere to my knowledge is flight simulation engineering even recognized as a skill!

Sorry to put a damper on your aspirations.

[SimJock]

Don't be too downheartened by the above, ZFT has obviously been in the job too long :ok:

I worked on aircraft before I became a simulator engineer, aircraft maintenance was box changing whereas simulators require you to know a bit more about what goes on inside. It can provide an excellent grounding in electrics, electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics and software skills. If that isn't flexible then I don't know what is.

There are some boring parts, as in every job, but its what you make it. If you like flying and learning glass cockpits then there is ample opportunity to learn. Most sim operators encourage you to learn the cockpit and how to fly the things properly, if only so you can debrief the crews when they try and explain their snags.

There are in general no unions, so check your contract carefully, training can be sparse and mostly 'on the job' shadowing someone else, but if you can wangle a few manufacturers courses, Thales, CAE etc then you can work wherever there is one of those simulators wordwide. Pay is reasonable after a few years but I don't think you would get as much as a LAME, but then you also don't have to study for and pass exams. You will works shifts including nights, but thats when the sims are free for maintenance and playing.. er i mean checking :)

There are opportunities to specialise if you fancy working on visual systems, projectors, 3D modelling, servo control systems, projects and upgrades which can be fun fitting the latest gadgets to old sims.

Its certainly more varied work than aircraft.

[ZFT]

SimJock

I agree with you 100% BUT you describe how it is now or perhaps how it was when you entered the industry and yes, certainly how it was when I entered the (long forgotten analogue) industry as you state, far too long ago.

I assume Mrblenny is a young man just starting out and it will not be as you and I fondly remember it.

The modern sims, whilst unbelievable in fidelity and sophistication are no longer the engineers ‘dream machine’.

My engineers are still of the ilk you describe, unbelievably skilled in every discipline you mention but they are a dying breed. The next sims I order will not need anything like their capabilities.

The days of logic analysers and scopes are gone forever, sad but true.

Mrblenny may well choose to go into simulation, but he should at least know the facts albeit from someone whom as you state has “been in the job too long”

[mrblenny]

Thank you for the differing viewpoints :-) It is pretty much what I expected, my main concern was lack of career pathway similar to a LAME (although of course I may not get the chance to acquire type ratings - it is a goal though). The other problem is I would not even get my B2 if I started out as a simulator technician?

Thank you again,
Damo

[SimJock]

Hey Damo, there is career progression, but you have to wait for it. Its dead mans shoes a lot of the time but you can progress to be a Senior Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Engineering Shift or Team Leader, Engineering Manager. Hell, I think our CEO was once a simtech so its up to you really how far you go.

You won't get aircraft maintenance licences working on simulators though, the sim experience is not recognised.

Look on the bright side, simulators are inside whereas you could be outside freezing your bits off in a cherrypicker trying to take corroded screws out of a wingtip navigation light to change the bulb ;)