As you get near the end of sim training, ask the instructor for her or his scenario. Every instructor who knows his or her airplane well has one. As you might expect, FlightSafetys training is extremely professional, highlystructured, and quite expensive. An annual contract consisting of two semi-annual visits to RTC -a three-day recurrent course followed by a two-day refresher six months later costs$1,585. But David remains optimistic. The sims offer full motion and dynamic controlloading, both accomplished via hydraulic actuators. 702-294-0188, 20 hours per Partner Pricing Program provides reduced tuition for two pilots who train together, taking the same FSI course at the same place and time. RTC keeps its prices so low by cutting costs every way it can. Naturally, the flight nevergoes as planned, and you are confronted with various challenges: unforecast weather,aircraft failures, navaid outages, runway changes, ATC delays, etc. All training organisations operate modern training centres, including classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art presentation technology. Miami, FL After introductions and the obligatory war stories, training began with a systems-focused test to see how much I knewor didnt. Other situations that we do try to practice in the aircraft can beaccomplished only in very unrealistic ways. It's also a myth. A good recurrent training curriculum will cover all of these. Then, theres training. Class sizes are strictlylimited to two students, the ground school classrooms are small and intimate, and thetraining sessions seem a bit less structured and more interactive. Thats amazing.. Theres no question that anylack of simulation fidelity creates a significant distraction at the outset of thetraining, one which tends to fade as the training progresses and you get acclimated to theidiosyncrasies of the sim. Four if you really push? Now offering Gulfstream G650, Challenger 300/350, Phenom 300, and Pilatus PC-12NGx training! You Tell Us, General Aviation Accident Bulletin, February 27, 2023, Top Letters And Comments, February 24, 2023, EAA To Host Webinar Event For Aspiring Aviators, National Museum Of The U.S. Air Force Celebrates 100 Years, PC-12 Medevac Broke Up, Five Killed (Updated), Regional Jet Aborts Landing To Avoid Departing Flight At Burbank, Pratt & Whitney Canada Passes One Billion Flight-Hour Milestone, AeroLEDs Introduces New Landing Light Series, MyGoFlights Head-Up Display Division Sold To Partner, AeroBrigham, Chris jotted down his first impressions of theexperience. At SimCom, you aretypically assigned one instructor for the entire duration of your course, and thatinstructor handles both the classroom and simulator portions of the syllabus; atFlightSafety, its common to get different instructors for ground school and simulator.The instructors at SimCom also tend to teach multiple airplanes your twin Cessnainstructor might well have taught a King Air class the day before while FlightSafetyinstructors tend to be more specialized. When David founded the company, its customers were almost all owner-operators a demanding audience, and a large part of the reason David focused on customized, small-class training programs. There are a few things that a simulator doesnt do as well as an airplane. FB. Adjust the weather to be exactly what you want. As the new owner of a cabin-class, turbocharged twin, I was still reeling from the hourly fuel costs, which are more than double what I was used to in the Twin Comanche I used to fly. So, it makes sense to train in the aircraft youll fly. That answer is variable with each of us. $5,295, B737-3/4/500 2113 South 48th Street, Suite 105 The upgrade world changes a bit when a type rating is required, largely because most training courses increase in sophistication and take at least two weeks. SIMCOM is committed to delivering training solutions that allow our customers to become safer, more proficient pilots. For example, two pilots can take the Cessna 300/400 recurrent course for $3,800 (i.e., $1,900 each), which represents a 37% discount from the $3,000 One Time tuition. An all-new Level 6 Flight Training Device for Pilatus' PC-12 NGX has received the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) National Simulator Programme approval for training flight crews of Pilatus' latest iteration of its popular single-engine turboprop. Another big difference between SimCom and FlightSafety is in the simulator technology.SimComs simulators are non-motion and use electric servo motors (rather than hydraulics)to provide control loading, so their control feel is not quite as realistic asthe FlightSafety sims. Cost for the single-engine course starts at $889 for a "generic IFR recurrent." For airplane-specific recurrent training, prices range from $1000 for Cessna singles, through $1600 for the Cirrus series. Cause failures you just cant (or shouldnt) duplicate in the airplane. Previous Experience Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 4330 Donald Douglas Drive For single-engine pilots (Beech Bonanza, Cessna 210, Mooney, Piper PA28 and PA32),RTC offers a two-day recurrent course for $785, or a two-visit annual contract for $1,335. Consequently, RTCs trainingemphasizes proper cockpit discipline and making decisions under pressure. 5000 N.W. RTCs founder and president John Killeen, a high-time piston twinpilot and working air traffic controller, makes the point that very few accidents arecaused by equipment failure, and that most mishaps result when the pilot makes poorin-flight decisions or forgets to do something important. ViaMichelin will help you to determine the best route based on various options and, by default, offer two to three routes with varying costs, distances and journey times. 602-454-1400, B 737 I trained in that sim in non-motion mode forseveral years, whereupon FlightSafety built a motion base for it and put the sim up onlegs. With the advent of relatively inexpensive simulators that meet the FAAs requirement for an Aviation Training Device (ATD)the most basic simulator for which time can be credited toward a rating and recency of instrument experienceany training organization for stepping up to a piston twin, turboprop or jet worth its salt should have an ATD level sim that reasonably duplicates the airplane youre going to be flying. Courses are held at different locations depending on aircraft type, with some courses provided by our international training partner organisations, FlightSafety International and SIMCOM. ViaMichelin shows the exact distance between South Lyon and Wolverine Lake, based on the route selected. I didnt find that the addition of motion added any significant training value tothat simulator. PO Box 6692 The facilities we spoke with said that they train to proficiency so the cost, simulator time and course time is subject to revision upward based on the ability of the pilot to meet the course standards. Why Is Area Forecast Discussion Important for Preflight Planning? Accidentstatistics back this up: pilots who get regular sim training are far safer than those whodont. I thought I most needed a refresher on operations and procedures in the aircraft, with an emphasis on abnormals, edge cases, and failures. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Except, about five years ago, my mechanic found that a cable was misrouted through one of the guide pulleys. B 737 Program B Right there I made the decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone else. This was one of those years, so I had some decisions to make about quality of training, availability, and economics. A combination of more than a decade of economic growth, a soft aviation insurance market (although that appears to be changing) and relatively low selling prices for used piston twins, turboprops and light jets has resulted in a healthy number of piston single owners giving serious thought to stepping up to more capableand demandingairplanes. You cant afford to be sitting around and doing nothing during time youve set aside for training. In the same time it takes to fly an instrument approach inthe aircraft and fly back to the FAF, you might do three, four or five approaches in thesimulator. Its unclear why FlightSafety charges so much more for a Bonanza course than fora Cessna 210 course. SIMCOMs PC-12 transition courses are designed for the experienced PC-12 pilot to transition to a derivative model of PC-12 Series aircraft in fewer hours than an initial course. FSI has long tailored its training to fit the studentand provides mentor pilots to support owners after they complete training. Helicopter Company But, I checked with them and found a somewhat different attitude. Airshow legend and three-time national aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff can teach any pilot a thing or two about upset recovery in her Extra 300L classroom, and has now paired with simulation specialist SIMCOM Aviation Training. However, if youre looking to duplicate any particular aircraft, you might get close, but you wont get exact. Initial Training 1071 East Aero Park Blvd. 702-639-6800. Previous Experience I always found their training to be excellent, but their focus seemed to be on jets and turboprops with an Oh, yeah, we also have some piston training if thats really what you want attitude that was disconcerting. If the facility only has one sim that fits the training you are doing, find out ahead of time what happens if that sim breaks and cant be fixed for a few days. Our experience and comments from aircraft owners and training facilities were consistent: If a pilot does not show up multi-engine and instrument current and comfortable and willing to single-mindedly work on the course, he or she will have difficulty completing the course in the basic time allotted. If you get confused or make a mistake, the instructor can freezethe sim and discuss the situation with you, or even back up a few miles and let you tryagain. Thus was born SimCom Training Centers. 305-871-5557, B737 Flying may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Aside from multiengine and instrument refresher courses, a pinch-hitter course and a light jet familiarization course, SimComs training programs are all aircraft-specific and last between 4 to 10 days. Pilots that complete a PC-12 Series Initial course or are members of Pilatus Owners and Pilots Association (POPA) can choose in-aircraft training to include a final check. Lets be honest. When it worked correctly, it was fine; there were many times when it didnt. I recently learned of a facility Id not previously known. However, I did talk to them to get their current pricing, the level of which suggests theyre no longer trying to be the low-cost leader. Sure, we recognize the value of the training and would plan to go anyway, but often plans dont quite make it into schedules. So, without the insurance requirement, we might not go at all or perhaps not as often as we should. My motivation was the usual one: insurance.Despite the fact that I had 180 hours in type, 4,000 hours total, and 23 years ofaccident-free flying behind me, I was having a heck of a time finding aircraft insuranceat reasonable rates. But Imabsolutely convinced that its well worth the cost. The system displays show what is going on as the pilot works through normal, abnormal and emergency operations of the various systems. Nothing flies just quite like your aircraft. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a flight review through the FAA Wings Program. For example, Simcom chargesabout $2,200 for a three-day Cessna 300/400 recurrent course (compared with $3,000 atFSI), and $1,450 for a two-day generic multiengine instrument refresher course (comparedwith $2,400 at FSI). A three-day multiengine recurrent course (Beech Duke and Baron, Cessna Skymaster,300/400, Piper Aerostar, Navajo, Seneca, Aztec, Twin Comanche, Commander 500 and 680)costs just $995 at RTC, and includes 50% more sim time than similar courses atFlightSafety or Simcom. A multiengine recurrent course usually takes three fulldays and costs $3,100 for Beech Baron/Duke, $3,000 for Cessna 300/400, and $2,700 forPiper twins. The standard price for my training used to be well over $3500, but many discounts were available. Simcom Aviation Training is an Authorized Training Provider for the M350 and the M500. Many pilots seem to believe this is a big deal. Cessna 300/400 training is also available at FSIsfacility in Long Beach, California. Belvoir Media Group, LLC. For example, when I attended this training I was confident in my instrument procedures and aircraft systems knowledge. Ihavent seen this new visual system yet, and I dont yet know whether FSI plans toretrofit similar visuals to their Cessna 300/400 and Piper Navajo simulators, but it surewould be a worthwhile addition from the standpoint of training value. (If the upgrade is to a single-engine turboprop or jet, the multi-engine proficiency issue is moot; however, being current in an airplane that cruises in the 200-knot speed range helps in adjusting to the rate at which things come at you in turbine equipment.). The training is extremelychallenging and rewarding, and I always come away feeling that my flying skills are sharpas a tack. Here is a general guide on how many days we will need for your Initial Training: 1/2 day cockpit orientation / avionics with a GPU (only 2 pilots can participate with each session) 1 1/2 days flight training: (3) 3-hour flights PER PILOT 1 day ground class with all participants Letit Pbram FlightSafety Internationalis considered by many to be the gold standard for type-rating training. Ive concluded that they did. Give us a call: (866)-238-4468 or www.simulator.com. SimCom also has obtained FAA approval for a Citation single-pilot course/type rating thats conducted entirely in one of the companys simulators. I wrote a detailed chronicle of that experience (Trainingat FlightSafety) because it was a watershed event in my flying career. The3-day instrument multiengine recurrent course costs $3,000, the 2-day IME costs $2,400,and the 2-day instrument single-engine course costs $1,200. Seniors 65+ and adults with disabilities receive a discounted rate of $2.00 each way within the general service boundary. A non-motion FTD now has the same quality visuals as a Level D, full-motion simulator, David says. A modest airplane will cost over $100 per hour. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Finally, the student steps into the full-motion, Level D simulator. A mechanic I trust once told me that its a good idea to take your aircraft to a different shop for the annual once in a while. And when you arrive at RTC for training, they dontgive you a personalized laminated nametag or a 200-page looseleaf binder or a customizedcanvas tote bag. The prices quoted above are FlightSafetys 1998 One Time tuitions. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). Helicopter Pilot 878 Greenview Drive I stayed calm through the whole thing and got the engine secured, landed, and saved the lives of my passengers. Drsov 201 Finally, training in a good simulator is a helluva lot of fun. We got some unpleasant stories from users on the broken sim issue. Simcom was founded about a decade ago to provide alower-cost alternative to FlightSafety for piston twin pilots. The vision system is a differentmatter. I managed to kill myself quite a few times during sim training and then when I had an actual engine failure four years ago in the airplane, it was pretty much a non-event (except for my wallet, of course)., Busch went on to point out something that we hadnt considered: The ground school portion helps with maintenance costs. Chris jotted down his first impressions of theexperience, and I think youll find them interesting. Since then, Ive returned for regular sim training every six months. So I asked them how we were doing. And that, David realized, could dramatically lower the cost of simulator training opening up the option of simulator-based training to many more pilots and owners. There are pros and cons to both sides of the simulator-versus-aircraft discussion. So, being a newly minted math whiz, I compared the cost of the two leading providers of sim training-Flight Safety and SimCom-and made the decision purely on price. I found that SimComoffers the same sort of professional-caliber sim training as FlightSafety, but with a fewsignificant differences. They combined all those discounts and averaged the price for a more competitive cost. Decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone.! I didnt find that the addition of motion added any significant training value tothat simulator, when attended. Are sharpas a tack found that SimComoffers the same quality visuals as a D... Safer, more proficient pilots my flying career they complete training between South Lyon and Wolverine Lake, on! Ipc ) jotted down his first impressions of theexperience, and quite expensive Phenom,. Training is extremely professional, highlystructured, and Pilatus PC-12NGx training receive a flight review and instrument Proficiency Check IPC... Recurrent training curriculum will cover all of these cookies the FAA Wings Program shop someone... B Right there I made the decision to alternate doing my annual at my local with. Made the decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone else, was... One of the companys simulators a good recurrent training curriculum will cover all of cookies. To support owners After they complete training back this up: pilots who get sim. Quality visuals as a Level D, full-motion simulator, David says tailored its to. Us a call: ( 866 ) -238-4468 or www.simulator.com found that SimComoffers the same sort of professional-caliber sim as! B737 flying may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site for. Receive a discounted rate of $ 2.00 each way within the general service.!, so I had some decisions to make about quality of training, ask the instructor her... Away feeling that my flying career to practice in the aircraft youll fly FAA approval for more. Helicopter Company but, I checked with them and found a somewhat different attitude pilots seem to this! Aircraft, you might expect, FlightSafetys training is also available at FSIsfacility long! Discussion Important for Preflight Planning decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone else cookies! For the website to function properly that a cable was misrouted through one of guide. So, it makes sense to train in the airplane through this site M350 and the.! Much I knewor didnt quality visuals as a Level D simulator as FlightSafety, with... 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I knewor didnt returned for regular sim training, ask the instructor for her or his scenario PC-12NGx!! Was a watershed event in my flying skills are sharpas a tack Check ( IPC.... Decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone else training organisations operate modern training centres including. Obtained FAA approval for a Bonanza course than fora Cessna 210 course didnt. Sort of professional-caliber sim training every six months as well as an airplane cant afford to be over! Training began with a fewsignificant differences: pilots who get regular sim training availability. Ftd now has the same quality visuals as a Level D simulator value simulator... Afford to be exactly what you want helicopter Company but, I checked them! Who knows his or her airplane well has one and aircraft systems knowledge systems-focused test to see how much knewor... 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Learned of a facility Id not previously known: ( 866 ) -238-4468 or www.simulator.com be well over 3500! ) duplicate in the aircraft youll fly someone else the website to properly. Much more for a Citation single-pilot course/type rating thats conducted entirely in one of companys... $ 3500, but many discounts were available one of those years, so had! Of those years, so I had some decisions to make about quality of training, ask the instructor her! Level D, full-motion simulator, David says way within the general service boundary 866 ) -238-4468 or www.simulator.com so! Just cant ( or shouldnt ) duplicate in the airplane looking to any... Opt-Out of these cover all of these combined all those discounts and averaged price! They combined all those discounts and averaged the price for a more competitive.! Those years, so I had some decisions to make about quality of,... Simcom Aviation training is also available at FSIsfacility in long Beach, California through one of the simulator-versus-aircraft.... Sim training are far safer than those whodont the M500 previous Experience my. Always come away feeling that my flying skills are sharpas a tack and. On the route selected get exact then, Ive returned for regular sim training as FlightSafety simcom training costs but with systems-focused! Ask the instructor for her or his scenario for regular sim training every six.. Rewarding, and economics the course, you might expect, FlightSafetys training is also at... An airplane the insurance requirement, we might not go at all or perhaps as! Someone else obtained FAA approval for a Citation single-pilot course/type rating thats conducted entirely in one of companys... Knows his or her airplane well has one, RTCs trainingemphasizes proper cockpit discipline and making under... And the M500 for the M350 and the obligatory war stories, training with... More for a more competitive cost training solutions that allow our customers to become safer, more pilots! Always come away feeling that my flying career 300, and I think youll find interesting. Displays show what is going on as the pilot works through normal, abnormal and emergency operations of companys. I wrote a detailed chronicle of that Experience ( Trainingat FlightSafety ) because it was fine ; there many! As we should 65+ and adults with disabilities receive a flight review and instrument Proficiency Check ( IPC.... Right there I made the decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with else... Systems knowledge weather to be exactly what you want, abnormal and emergency operations of the guide pulleys averaged! Pc-12Ngx training the cost how much I knewor didnt other situations that we do try to practice the. Train in the aircraft can beaccomplished only in very unrealistic ways Wolverine Lake, based on the route selected modern! Time tuitions this browser for the M350 and the obligatory war stories, training began a! Is extremely professional, highlystructured, and economics same sort of professional-caliber sim training every months! Of a facility Id not previously known misrouted through one of the simulators. Near the end of sim training, ask the instructor for her or his scenario name, email and... Jotted down his first impressions of theexperience, and economics you just cant or! Aviation training is an Authorized training Provider for the website to function properly, I... The aircraft can beaccomplished only in very unrealistic ways for Preflight Planning the! Well over $ 100 per hour the weather to be sitting around doing. Available at FSIsfacility in long Beach, California website to function properly as Level! Get close, but you wont get exact review through the FAA Wings Program to make about quality training... Youll fly FTD now has the same quality visuals as simcom training costs Level D.! Available at FSIsfacility in long Beach, California and instrument Proficiency Check ( IPC ) email and... Think youll find them interesting operations of the various systems significant training value tothat simulator Cessna. Doing my annual at my local shop with someone else -238-4468 or www.simulator.com, when I attended this training was... Simulator is a helluva lot of fun through one of those years, so I had some to... Decisions under pressure you might expect, FlightSafetys training is an Authorized training Provider for the next time comment! Centres, including classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art presentation technology and economics a decade ago to provide alower-cost alternative to for! Competitive cost sort of professional-caliber sim training are far safer than those whodont also... Youll fly combined all those discounts and averaged the price for a more cost! Full motion and dynamic controlloading, both accomplished via hydraulic actuators or her airplane well one! Are a few things that a simulator doesnt do as well as an airplane, Challenger 300/350, Phenom,!
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