Very VERY Bad Sim Nerves
I think that sometimes we should put simulators into some context. In my past life I was in the sim every month and as such tended to view the exercise as a 'training aid' rather than a test. I then became a sim instructor and saw life from the console which I hope again gave me a better perspective. I was never sold on the adage ' its just like the real thing' because it was'nt then and it is not now. My first officers invariably fly the thing more accurately than I do but most 'trainers' are more concerned with decision making, teamwork, tech knowledge and crm than
pure handling; sop's and procedures have to be correct of course.
In my company we change the basic scenario twice a year - the trainers do naturally have scope to alter profiles to suit crew performance on the day. It is inevitable that word gets around as to what is flavour of the season for failures etc; one common problem is that some colleagues take hastily written summaries of someone else's detail as gospel, gen up accordingly and then
come a cropper when other failures and probelms rear their heads in the box. Simple answer. go in with a blank sheet of paper, fly the thing the best you can, know your sop's and drills,
don't rush emergencies and be prepared to laugh away the occasional cockup. Oh yes. don't argue with the trainer unless you are VERY sure of your ground !
CDC - Thanks for info, I have no idea who you are or who you work for - neither of which is my business. I can well imagine that the transition from a small aircraft with no sim to an electric jet upon which all training is conducted in the box must be a major transition. No sure about all the jock strapping though !!
pure handling; sop's and procedures have to be correct of course.
In my company we change the basic scenario twice a year - the trainers do naturally have scope to alter profiles to suit crew performance on the day. It is inevitable that word gets around as to what is flavour of the season for failures etc; one common problem is that some colleagues take hastily written summaries of someone else's detail as gospel, gen up accordingly and then
come a cropper when other failures and probelms rear their heads in the box. Simple answer. go in with a blank sheet of paper, fly the thing the best you can, know your sop's and drills,
don't rush emergencies and be prepared to laugh away the occasional cockup. Oh yes. don't argue with the trainer unless you are VERY sure of your ground !
CDC - Thanks for info, I have no idea who you are or who you work for - neither of which is my business. I can well imagine that the transition from a small aircraft with no sim to an electric jet upon which all training is conducted in the box must be a major transition. No sure about all the jock strapping though !!
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Hmmm spot the chap in a solid relationship. Methinks you hve relationship issues and that your scanscan scan has broken down...
Good luck CdeChicken. A bit like its a game of 2 halves you'll either make it or you won't and though little comfort when then pay statement comes the good old adage says that is better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
If your not quite up to it better not to be a skipper until you are and you will hopefully never find out if that adage is true.
The F/O money is good enough your family won't starve everyone cannot be a general.
Merry Xmas VT
Good luck CdeChicken. A bit like its a game of 2 halves you'll either make it or you won't and though little comfort when then pay statement comes the good old adage says that is better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.
If your not quite up to it better not to be a skipper until you are and you will hopefully never find out if that adage is true.
The F/O money is good enough your family won't starve everyone cannot be a general.
Merry Xmas VT
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I am touched by the many genuine and sincere contributions on this topic, both here and by private message. I’m sure that a combination of techniques suggested may provide success, although Mrs Countdechickens is less than enthusiastic about being shagged by a toe twiddling drunk and then dumped, especially with Christmas approaching.
It has come to light that I am in good company seeking a solution to sim nerves. Apparently there are several other pilots (FO and Capt) already receiving the attentions of a ‘counsellor’. As the Airline is small this is a high percentage and leaves me asking what (who?) is leading to such widespread sim dread.
Having done a bit of research of some of the suggestions (could only ignore the kid for 2 minutes) I am curious as to the dangers of beta blockers if one’s resting HR is 46 (due to training rather than a condition). There use is somewhere near the bottom of my preferred options but they were described somewhere in the net as ‘the best kept secret’ for musicians, public speakers, and ‘skill’ type sports which seems very close to the sim environment.
I would describe myself as an open minded sceptic, if that’s not mutually exclusive, so would not discount homeopathy as suggested privately. Speckled hen at 5.4% alcohol takes 3 pints to make me dizzy so a drop of rose petal water diluted 1:50K does not inspire confidence but am willing to give it a go.
It has come to light that I am in good company seeking a solution to sim nerves. Apparently there are several other pilots (FO and Capt) already receiving the attentions of a ‘counsellor’. As the Airline is small this is a high percentage and leaves me asking what (who?) is leading to such widespread sim dread.
Having done a bit of research of some of the suggestions (could only ignore the kid for 2 minutes) I am curious as to the dangers of beta blockers if one’s resting HR is 46 (due to training rather than a condition). There use is somewhere near the bottom of my preferred options but they were described somewhere in the net as ‘the best kept secret’ for musicians, public speakers, and ‘skill’ type sports which seems very close to the sim environment.
I would describe myself as an open minded sceptic, if that’s not mutually exclusive, so would not discount homeopathy as suggested privately. Speckled hen at 5.4% alcohol takes 3 pints to make me dizzy so a drop of rose petal water diluted 1:50K does not inspire confidence but am willing to give it a go.
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Regarding Beta Blockers - I am currently on Propranolol, which is prescribed for a thyroid condition. Although my medical is suspended at the moment, the CAA have no issue with taking that drug - their only issue being the stabilisation of the condition under the drugs, which has yet to happen.
Furthermore there are many who are taking beta blockers while flying, for various illnesses of the heart, thyroid and metabolism. Taking it for stressful conditions is common - not least around exam time at med school. Its use with a sim ride could be regarded as an unfair advantage, however if the AME has no problem with it, I cannot see what there is to prevent you using it.
Regarding your low heart rate - at the time of stress you heart rate and BP will be through the roof anyway. Beta Blockers return them to a more normal level ideally - in the lower doses for anxiety and stress the effect should reduce heart rate and BP to make you feel more relaxed, but I cannot believe it would be much of a risk when you already have alow heart rate, as it is all relative to your body's state, and many fit people have to use it with thyroid situations. Fatigue, weakness and other symtoms are only really an issue if on a course of the drug over time. The only issue may be intake of alcohol after the sim check, as it may lower BP too much.
Having however done some professional exams last week with beta blockers in the system, I am dubious as to the claims that it relieved stress. Whether that was because they were so tough that I was more anxious when sitting the exam, or whether the propranolol had little effect I don't know. I am however more relaxed now in day-to-day work than before I had them prescribed!
Loose rivets - their effects are well documented, and far from being criminal are in fact used by many for angina while still flying. Propranolol has a half-life of 3-6 hours, and does not linger.
PS - my heart rate was fairly low before administration, while doing moderate to high exercise.
Furthermore there are many who are taking beta blockers while flying, for various illnesses of the heart, thyroid and metabolism. Taking it for stressful conditions is common - not least around exam time at med school. Its use with a sim ride could be regarded as an unfair advantage, however if the AME has no problem with it, I cannot see what there is to prevent you using it.
Regarding your low heart rate - at the time of stress you heart rate and BP will be through the roof anyway. Beta Blockers return them to a more normal level ideally - in the lower doses for anxiety and stress the effect should reduce heart rate and BP to make you feel more relaxed, but I cannot believe it would be much of a risk when you already have alow heart rate, as it is all relative to your body's state, and many fit people have to use it with thyroid situations. Fatigue, weakness and other symtoms are only really an issue if on a course of the drug over time. The only issue may be intake of alcohol after the sim check, as it may lower BP too much.
Having however done some professional exams last week with beta blockers in the system, I am dubious as to the claims that it relieved stress. Whether that was because they were so tough that I was more anxious when sitting the exam, or whether the propranolol had little effect I don't know. I am however more relaxed now in day-to-day work than before I had them prescribed!
Loose rivets - their effects are well documented, and far from being criminal are in fact used by many for angina while still flying. Propranolol has a half-life of 3-6 hours, and does not linger.
PS - my heart rate was fairly low before administration, while doing moderate to high exercise.
Re-heat, I have no doubts as to the usefulness and safety of beta-blockers, and your point about low heart rate is taken. I doubt that there exists any research evidence in the area of safety in low heart rate, but at the end of the day, the use of beta blockers when the heart is beating slow, is contra-indicated.
Weighing up the risks and benefits, my opinion would be avoid, if our heartbeat is low,(and 46 is low, albeight due to fitness), particularly if there is an alternative.
Weighing up the risks and benefits, my opinion would be avoid, if our heartbeat is low,(and 46 is low, albeight due to fitness), particularly if there is an alternative.
"I fail before I get anywhere near the sim."
I'm not a professional pilot, so can't offer "real" advice, but is it possible you can get access to the sim, or any sim, when your career does not depend on it? Can you hire time to get practice on a sim just so you can get used to it?
Others have suggested that you visualize the situation, but if you can practice on it more (with some sadistic help) when it does not matter how well you do, that may help your nerves.
Or are there computer programs out there that throw in challenges out of the blue for people to practice on their own?
I'm not a professional pilot, so can't offer "real" advice, but is it possible you can get access to the sim, or any sim, when your career does not depend on it? Can you hire time to get practice on a sim just so you can get used to it?
Others have suggested that you visualize the situation, but if you can practice on it more (with some sadistic help) when it does not matter how well you do, that may help your nerves.
Or are there computer programs out there that throw in challenges out of the blue for people to practice on their own?
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Try this!
Really works for all kinds of stress rlated problems ranging from the situation described, to general life anxiety. The good thing is that it is safe and approved and your AME wont have a fit if you are doing it.
Really works for all kinds of stress rlated problems ranging from the situation described, to general life anxiety. The good thing is that it is safe and approved and your AME wont have a fit if you are doing it.
Last edited by Hawk; 5th Jan 2004 at 03:05.
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I suffered a similar thing for ages and still get nervous for my sims, but THE thing that absolutely works is meditation, concentration on my breathing and visualisation. If you convince your subconscious that things will go well, it produces the results in your body.
Weird but believe me it works......
Now, where was that whisky bottle?
Weird but believe me it works......
Now, where was that whisky bottle?
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Tuppence-worth; first perhaps drive the dining room chair round the whole sim session (which you already know well and have no problem with normally) visualising every part of it in detail so that you know the whole thing backwards and can do it with your eyes shut - single -engine go round - throttle whichever leg and all. As many times as you need to. This naturally after you have boned up on the tech aspects so you know it all pat about a week to go.
Realise that the box (sim) is a bunch of amps and volts which know nothing about aviation, but if you put the various levers in the right place at the right time the amps and volts give you the answers you want - spot on speed, ROD, G/P and localiser and if you move nothing they stay like that! Our sim technicians could "fly" a better approach than anyone I have seen!
That covers preparation and the box; mental attitude next. You go in KNOWING that this is the one that you will pass, you fly the session as a Captain on a standard (but VERY trying) day with an aircraft that is VERY sick in a lot of systems which you know you don't really need anyway, being a Manager mainly, rather than pilot, which comes as second nature, staying well ahead of the A/C in thought decision and deed. Attitude and fuel flow our trainers used to say - ball in the middle helps a lot too-, and it worked! Get both in the right ballpark initially and when you have a spare moment - fine tune, and the amps and volts you have selected give the perfect answer!
Any bad bits forget immediately put out of your mind ( easier said than done!) and get on to the next - GOOD - bit. But I was forgetting that today there are not going to be any bad bits!
And at the end of 2 hours of that: - " Well Done ; you passed!" Agree with all the trainer's comments keeping discussion to a minimum that way, take notes of all that he has to say, to remind you on the next check, and hello again fourth stripe!
Then go home and get pissed or the other way round - I'm sure the missus will understand!
Hope it works for you!
Best of luck!
Realise that the box (sim) is a bunch of amps and volts which know nothing about aviation, but if you put the various levers in the right place at the right time the amps and volts give you the answers you want - spot on speed, ROD, G/P and localiser and if you move nothing they stay like that! Our sim technicians could "fly" a better approach than anyone I have seen!
That covers preparation and the box; mental attitude next. You go in KNOWING that this is the one that you will pass, you fly the session as a Captain on a standard (but VERY trying) day with an aircraft that is VERY sick in a lot of systems which you know you don't really need anyway, being a Manager mainly, rather than pilot, which comes as second nature, staying well ahead of the A/C in thought decision and deed. Attitude and fuel flow our trainers used to say - ball in the middle helps a lot too-, and it worked! Get both in the right ballpark initially and when you have a spare moment - fine tune, and the amps and volts you have selected give the perfect answer!
Any bad bits forget immediately put out of your mind ( easier said than done!) and get on to the next - GOOD - bit. But I was forgetting that today there are not going to be any bad bits!
And at the end of 2 hours of that: - " Well Done ; you passed!" Agree with all the trainer's comments keeping discussion to a minimum that way, take notes of all that he has to say, to remind you on the next check, and hello again fourth stripe!
Then go home and get pissed or the other way round - I'm sure the missus will understand!
Hope it works for you!
Best of luck!
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I would stay away from alcohol and Valium, Valium especially. It used to be thought of as the answer to all of life's problems back in the States in the late Sixties, early Seventies but then it was found to cause far more problems than it cured! Plus, it is highly addictive.
And alcohol just buries a problem for a while without really dealing with it. It's only when you go without it that you can see how booze is no help at all.
There is another sort of medication that might help: Beta-blockers, so-called. I don't know much about this except from what I have read in the papers but it's supposed to help in cases of `performance anxiety.' For example, some musicians use it to overcome stagefright. It blocks some of the stress chemicals the brain produces without interfering with the higher functions you need to perform properly. Check with your physician.
Another thing is to get some practical psychological help. Not going back to your childhood or anything like that but learning techniques that you can use to visualise and then achieve success in specific tasks. It can be as simple as focusing on what to do, rather than what not to do, but it is anything but simple in many cases to do this without help. I wouldn't be so dismissive of using pyschology, since it really can help. From what you have written, what do you have to lose?
I have used psychology myself and I have found it to be of great help. I was in a bit of a corner until I found some techniques that let me head off in another direction. Before that I was just banging my head against the wall, trying very hard and getting nowhere.
Best of luck in any case. I think that you should be able to find something in all of this advice that you can use to pass your command check.
And alcohol just buries a problem for a while without really dealing with it. It's only when you go without it that you can see how booze is no help at all.
There is another sort of medication that might help: Beta-blockers, so-called. I don't know much about this except from what I have read in the papers but it's supposed to help in cases of `performance anxiety.' For example, some musicians use it to overcome stagefright. It blocks some of the stress chemicals the brain produces without interfering with the higher functions you need to perform properly. Check with your physician.
Another thing is to get some practical psychological help. Not going back to your childhood or anything like that but learning techniques that you can use to visualise and then achieve success in specific tasks. It can be as simple as focusing on what to do, rather than what not to do, but it is anything but simple in many cases to do this without help. I wouldn't be so dismissive of using pyschology, since it really can help. From what you have written, what do you have to lose?
I have used psychology myself and I have found it to be of great help. I was in a bit of a corner until I found some techniques that let me head off in another direction. Before that I was just banging my head against the wall, trying very hard and getting nowhere.
Best of luck in any case. I think that you should be able to find something in all of this advice that you can use to pass your command check.
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I find it quite scarey that sedatives and betablockers are being suggested to relieve anxiety during a simulator check.
I wonder how pilots would manage a real life aviation emergency if they cant handle a simulated emergency check without tranxs.
Some good suggestions in this thread. Others, with clearly no understanding of the action or efficacy of sedatives and beta blockers are just bordering on irresponsibility.
Its interesting that people would prefer to take drugs rather than the safer psychotherapy option. Performance anxiety is easily treated by a psychologist. Its amazing that there are still professional pilots that view treatment by mental health professionals with suspicion and distrust. Psychologists have been working for many years in aviation, including simulator issues with very good results.
I wonder how pilots would manage a real life aviation emergency if they cant handle a simulated emergency check without tranxs.
Some good suggestions in this thread. Others, with clearly no understanding of the action or efficacy of sedatives and beta blockers are just bordering on irresponsibility.
Its interesting that people would prefer to take drugs rather than the safer psychotherapy option. Performance anxiety is easily treated by a psychologist. Its amazing that there are still professional pilots that view treatment by mental health professionals with suspicion and distrust. Psychologists have been working for many years in aviation, including simulator issues with very good results.
Last edited by Hawk; 8th Jan 2004 at 22:40.
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CDC - Good luck pal, I feel for you. By way of preparation for the sim, can I recommend a 15-20 minute run on a treadmill at 7.5 mph with "2 Minutes To Midnight" (Iron Maiden) blaring out from the boogie box? Mid-run, give yourself an No 1 engine fire and go through the drill!.... Great practice.
