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Simulator or In-Airplane? by Anthony Cirincione
Which is more effective: training in a simulator or training in a real airplane? It’s a common argument in our industry. And as one might guess, the providers of simulator training claim simulators are best, while providers of in-airplane training often say the airplane is better. With this article, I hope to challenge both ideas as most pilots should do both. Here’s why.
Each platform offers strengths and weaknesses. In some cases, one platform is superior to the other. However, in all cases, training in both will result in a sharper pilot. Here is a comparison of some of the areas each platform does well and not so well. Let’s first review the charac- teristics of simulators.
Simulator Advantages
• Great procedure trainers
• Ability to freeze the simulator at any point
• Training things that can’t or shouldn’t be
done in reality
• Relatively more cost-effective
PHOTO COURTESY OF MACH POINT ONE AVIATION
Simulator Disadvantages
• Simulation is simply not real
• Inaccurate representation
• Landings are not the same
• Other “sim-isms”
• Not representative of the customer’s plane
• Training often “handcuffed” by Part 142
• Class demographics
• Higher time and travel costs
Simulators are great procedure trainers. Con- sider a pilot working toward their first jet type rating. A sim offers the ability to accomplish about 15 single- engine go-arounds in a half-hour. Most pilots can usu- ally get the procedure down after that much repetition. To train that same event in a real airplane in the same time would result in maybe four attempts, as each would require a lap around the pattern to try again. The result would be increased fatigue, distraction, wasted time and expense.
18 • TWIN & TURBINE / October 2020 Jet Journal