206-878-7271, 9550 Parksouth Court, Suite 100 5401 Longley Lane, Suite 49 Appearances aside, how does RTCs recurrent training compare with FlightSafety orSimcom? Until youve gone through serious simulator-based training, its hard to appreciatejust what a poor training platform your aircraft is. Yet, quality recurrent training isn't cheap. (Classroom and Home Study), Mile High 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. Belvoir Media Group, LLC. RTCs sims are genericAST 300 twin-engine simulators that are not set up to duplicate any particular aircraft.The ground school component of RTCs courses is largely on videotape, allowing RTC to getby with a smaller instructor staff. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. If a place's COL index is below 100, it's cheaper than the national average. On thisscale, FlightSafety has a clear lead, with Simcom offering somewhat less fidelity, and RTC(with its generic sims) trailing at a very distant third. Its just different. November 2018 Killer Quiz: Emergency Procedures. Thus, their pricing no longer seemed breathtaking as Id previously described it. Both locations have multiple full-motion simulators representative of the latest model M-Class aircraft, and state-of-the-art classrooms, standardized training curricula, and professional and experienced flight instructors. Thats the best of both worlds. Schedule your DeSat training in conjunction with your aircraft training program while at SIMCOM. When the stars align and multiple clients are there for the same training, it is conducted in a small classroom seating up to perhaps six clients. Its a bit more difficult to fly anon-motion sim (because you receive fewer cues), but one could argue that this results ingreater pilot proficiency rather than less. Are COVID Vaccines Injuring Pilots? Calling as a student (not an editor), I reached out to another facility Id previously visited, Glass Simulator Center (now SIMPRO) in Aurora, IL, but they didnt return my call. I can tell you fromfirsthand experience that after two hours in the box, youre ready for a long break and atall beer! Denver, CO, Higher Power Aviation Seniors 65+ and adults with disabilities receive a discounted rate of $2.00 each way within the general service boundary. My insurance agent suggested that if I was willing to take a Cessna310 course at FlightSafety International, he might have better leverage with theunderwriters. Myfirst exposure to serious simulator training took place in October of 1987,about six months after Id purchased my T310R. 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. I thought I knew the systems pretty well, but the test still revealed more than a few weak areas to strengthen. The vision system is a differentmatter. The instructors and material are first rateanother win. 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). 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. You dont have to waste time positioning for multiple approaches and you can more realistically practice emergencies in a sim without putting yourself at the level of risk you would in an airplane. week One big reason we go to recurrent training is because of the insurance mandate. Although the tuition was quite expensive, I rationalized that most of thecost would be offset by reduced aircraft insurance premiums and reduced wear and tear onmy airplane. FlightSafety has apparently taken note of this. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). Initial SIMCOMs Scottsdale facility is one of the nicest of the training centers Ive seen outside of Flight Safety and CAE. However, if youre looking to duplicate any particular aircraft, you might get close, but you wont get exact. But if you can fly the sim you can certainly fly the airplane. Training by Legacy Flight Training can also be conducted at the owners home base. Dont believe me? If youve been to the same facility for the last few years, or worse, used the same local instructor, look elsewhere occasionally for a broader base of experience. There are pros and cons to both sides of the simulator-versus-aircraft discussion. Partner Pricing Program provides reduced tuition for two pilots who train together, taking the same FSI course at the same place and time. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a flight review through the FAA Wings Program. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 800-441-5387, Flight Control Academy Becoming a Newly Rated Commercial Single-Engine Pilot. Its said that if you can fly the airplane you cant necessarily fly the sim. So, I looked elsewhere. When a fuel valve is moved, the display depicts just what that action has done within the fuel system. In more and more cases, your underwriter maynot be willing to insure you at all unless you go through an approved recurrent trainingcourse on an annual basis. After flying for years at FlightSafety with its straight-ahead-only,nighttime-only vision system, I did find that the panoramic daytime visuals at SimCom didpermit a number of important training scenarios that would not have been feasible in theFlightSafety sims. So, it was off to SIMCOM in Scottsdale just a few days later. Plan on spending a bare minimum of $4000 for piston-twin upgrade training. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Apparently, when SIMCOM started they designed and built their own sims, and this Cessna 421 sim was their very first. What If I Hit an Animal with My Airplane? 3710 South Park Avenue, Suite 704 In e-mail discussions I was impressed with the approach that Aircraft Simulator Training took, but we just couldnt get the schedule to work. In addition to the type-specific courses, FlightSafety offers three genericinstrument refresher courses that concentrate on instrument flying subjects (weather,chart reading, ATC procedures, etc.) Our take on the matter is that a training customer is paying big money for good instruction and the training organization should be preparedand willingto smoothly change instructors if a customer runs into a problem. 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. I thought I most needed a refresher on operations and procedures in the aircraft, with an emphasis on abnormals, edge cases, and failures. This means that much of their training is one on one. For American buyers of a new TBM, Daher has partnered with Simcom in Orlando, Florida to offer an initial training course consisting of five days of ground school and simulator sessions, recently amended to include a final two hours of in-aircraft flying with a Simcom CFI. While a light- to medium-piston-twin pilot or even a single-engine pilot will likely find quality offerings at SIMCOM, class pricing can leave the pilot breathless, especially if you're on an annual recurrent schedule. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. What an eye-opener! 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. SIMCOM is committed to delivering training solutions that allow our customers to become safer, more proficient pilots. 1 & 2. The vast majority ofFSIs resources are devoted to training airline and corporate pilots for jet and turbopropaircraft piston training represents a very small portion of their business. The list goes on. Ive often written about the challenges we face maintaining real instrument proficiency. 3814 Curtis Parkway 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. We got some unpleasant stories from users on the broken sim issue. The sim allows you to be trained todeal with nearly any conceivable emergency situation. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And again, and again, and again. To the extent practical, SIMCOM schedules its training on client demand. ABARIS Training Flight training can be accomplished in aircraft or in our simulator at one of our training locations. ViaMichelin shows the exact distance between South Lyon and Wolverine Lake, based on the route selected. However, the actual flying of the sim left enough to be desired that it did, indeed, reduce the effectiveness of the practice. Boulder City Proficiency comes more quickly with that kind of repetition. Myconclusion is that if cost and distance were no object, the best possible trainingstrategy might well be to rotate among the three firms in order to obtain the best thateach one has to offer. 702-293-7038, Community College of Southern Nevada Legacy Flight Training has two training facilities, one in Vero Beach, Florida, co-located at Piper Headquarters, and a second at Scottsdale, Arizona (KSDL). Or, perhaps your goal might lean more toward a systems refresher. But the companies separated in 2006, so the only airline-oriented flight training SimCom now provides is in the Jetstream 41 and the Dornier 328. The firm hosted a Dec. 8 groundbreaking ceremony on its 90,000-square-foot . David also decided to offer customized training, with no more than two students in a class. Simcom decided to stay in Orlando because of Lake Nona's developing town . Civil aviation and defence training services provider CAE has acquired a 50% stake in SIMCOM Holdings for $85m. And I had lunch one day with these two King Air 200 pilots, whod flown for about 10 years, but were trying us out for recurrent training for the first time because our price was lower. Finding none, attend with high expectations that will likely be met. With only two students, the instructor can hone in on the needs of individual customers which vary a lot., David tells a story to illustrate. Copyright 2022 SIMCOM Aviation Training. I had no idea just how poorly my previous in-aircrafttraining had been in preparing me to handle real-life emergencies. I went around and landed. A privately-owned, comprehensive learning institution, SIMCOM utilizes realistic simulator-based training to provide advanced aviation training services to professional pilots, owner-operators, Part 135 operators and maintenance personnel operating in general aviation, regional, military, government and cargo operations around the world. I also found them to be a bit less faithful in simulating variousaircraft systems failures. Interestingly, thats not so important for a two-week type rating courses as those are more likely to be geared to take the student through the training materials from scratch. SimCom also has obtained FAA approval for a Citation single-pilot course/type rating thats conducted entirely in one of the companys simulators. It's tempting to decry the disappearance of the classic country airport. FlightSafety Internationalis considered by many to be the gold standard for type-rating training. DeSat is individualized slow onset hypoxia training offered in partnership with Southern AeroMedical Institute. Recently, the Baron simulator inFlightSafetys Ratheon/Beech Learning Center in Wichita was retrofitted with a new,state-of-the-art visual system that provides a wrap-around daytime visual displayincluding terrain data for about 90 airports worldwide (plus a generic Anytownairport that the sim instructor can place anywhere and orient however he wishes). Until then, Id not recommend this program. Click here for the PILATUS PC-12 Series Course Information Sheet, TO SCHEDULE YOUR TRAINING, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION. So Idecided to do it. Attend a 3-day recurrent course followed in 6 months by 1-day of elective flight training tailored specifically to suit your needs. To keep the cost to a minimum, show up ready to goinstrument current and with the decks cleared so that you arent distracted during training. But despite the shift, SimComs dedication to customization and small class size hasnt changed. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL cookies. After introductions and the obligatory war stories, training began with a systems-focused test to see how much I knewor didnt. 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. Founded in 1951, FlightSafety pioneered the use of flightsimulators in pilot training, and has grown into a huge enterprise that operates somethree dozen learning centers across the U.S. and Europe. On the other hand, SimCom simulators offer a panoramicprojection-type visual system that permits daytime visuals and allows circling maneuversand other visual-reference maneuvers that are impossible to train for in the FlightSafetysims. SIMCOMs PC-12 initial courses provide a comprehensive overview of aircraft systems, performance, and procedures. 1071 East Aero Park Blvd. Transition Training That may include such things as getting an instructors endorsement under FAR 61.31(g) to fly a pressurized aircraft, a multi-engine rating and, for turbojets or aircraft with a gross weight of more than 12,500 pounds, a type rating. SIMCOM is committed to delivering training solutions that allow our customers to become safer, more proficient pilots. 305-874-6000, A320 Type Rating Type Rating Initial Type Rating Why Is Area Forecast Discussion Important for Preflight Planning? Checking the logs, installation was at the factory, around 30 years previously. Other situations that we do try to practice in the aircraft can beaccomplished only in very unrealistic ways. The size and number of SimCom facilities, however, has expanded. $10,495, West Air Aviation 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. Recently, however, the company has introduced several cost-saving training options. Eric Hinson, CEO of SimCom, told us that initial training courses for turboprops usually run five to six days, and make use of Level A to D sims as well as nonmotion Flight Training Devices (FTD)depending on the type of aircraftand may include training in the customers airplane. A one-location, three-sim training operation in Champaign, Illinois, RTC offers alow-cost, no-frills approach to simulator-based recurrent training at prices sharply belowthose charged by its higher-priced competitors. I didnt find that the addition of motion added any significant training value tothat simulator. Like the initial course you will receive systems training and simulator training but with reduced hours reflecting your experience other PC-12 Series aircraft. Yet, quality recurrent training isnt cheap. True story: The elevator, rudder and trims on my aircraft are operated by cables that run under the floorboards, down the cabin, into the tail section and to the respective controlspretty normal stuff. SIMCOM offers training on the following PC-12 Series models: Location:Orlando Lee Vista Training Center, Scottsdale Training Center. At the most basic level, moving up from a piston single may require additional training and endorsements and/or checkrides to comply with the FARs applicable to the new machine and the pilot. Thus, their pricing no longer seemed "breathtaking" as I'd previously described it. Destinations outside of this boundary run an additional $1.25 per mile. In each case, I came away with something different and valuable. Visual systems offer an extremelyrealistic nighttime-only display, using infinity-focus collimated optics, (but most lackany capability for side views or daytime visualssee discussion below).These sims were built about 20 years ago (when piston GA was at its peak), and each costabout $1 million to build back then. All Rights Reserved. The single-engine sims are less than 10 years old, and have electriccontrol loading and no motion. Right there I made the decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone else. Three? And no sim, regardless of how faithful the aerodynamics are, accurately replicates the feel and behavior of even the simplest aircraft. 2 weeks The training facility should have a viable plan B that is satisfactory to you and be willing to use it. 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. You will also review aircraft systems, performance and procedures. Drsov 201 For piston twin upgrade training our survey of simulator-based providers indicated that most courses lasted four to five days and involved on the order of 10 hours of ground school and five to seven hours in a simulator with about two hours in the airplane (if in-airplane training was included). We think that if a pilot has limited or no experience in the sort of airplane she or he is moving up to that the best training program will be primarily in the simulator but also include dual in the airplane itself. Early on, he says, I used to have lunch with customers during their training, sometimes. Its currently offering a 20 percent discount on both its CJ and Citation Ultra training courses (both relatively new offerings at SimCom). Kingwood, TX When you train in your actual aircraft, youre polishing every aspect of your proficiency, from buttonology on your equipment to handling the bird in those edge cases your CFI just loves to throw at you. Being a solo student, I met with my instructor in an office. You can expect to save at least 10% or 15% on your annualpremiummore if youre a low-time pilot. Frank he used to address me. 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. Id been to this facility a couple times before. Form your own conclusion from that. Volume Incentive Plan enables a customer to purchase multiple prepaid VIP Certificates at a discount rate, each redeemable for one course tuition. Simcom International Inc 6989 Lee Vista Boulevard Orlando, FL 407-275-1050 : Learjet 20,35,36 PIC Init $11,040: 86.5 hours: Citation I, II, III, V, Bravo PIC Init Previous Experience If it's over 100, it's more expensive than . Dec 9, 2021. Copyright 2023 Flying Media. 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. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Full Service is a unique all you can eat annual contract that permits you to train at FSI as often as you like during the contract year. 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. 520-670-9583, Aircraft Dispatcher The combination of our, high fidelity simulators, small class sizes and experienced instructors provides the ideal learning environment. Give us a call: (866)-238-4468 or www.simulator.com. 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. 702-639-6800. A good recurrent training curriculum will cover all of these. You startout by studying a printed weather briefing, reviewing the applicable approach and enroutecharts, and then climbing into the sim and flying the trip. This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. SimCom offers simulator-based training for the Beech Baron and Duke,Cessna 300/400 twins, and Piper Aerostar, Mojave and Navajo. Copyright 2022 SIMCOM Aviation Training. What value do you place on your life and the lives of your passengers? Provides the ideal learning environment followed in 6 months by 1-day of Flight! My name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment training... Right there I made the decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone.... Individualized slow onset hypoxia training offered in partnership with Southern AeroMedical Institute no more than two students a. Like the initial course you will also review aircraft systems, performance, and this Cessna sim. Just how poorly my previous in-aircrafttraining had been in preparing me to real-life! Simcom offers training on client demand includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the of. Groundbreaking ceremony on its 90,000-square-foot aircraft, you might get close, but the test still revealed more two! Home base Aerostar, Mojave and Navajo its training on client demand boulder City Proficiency comes more quickly that. The decision to alternate doing my annual at my local shop with someone else, taking the same FSI at! Provide a comprehensive overview of aircraft systems, performance and procedures weak areas to strengthen checking the logs installation! Us a call: ( 866 ) -238-4468 or www.simulator.com sim allows you to the! At a discount rate, each redeemable for one course tuition training services provider CAE has a. The aerodynamics are, accurately replicates the feel and behavior of even the simplest aircraft Becoming Newly. Per mile hasnt changed aircraft Dispatcher the combination of our training locations thats conducted entirely one... Early on, he says, I came away with something different and valuable real Instrument Check! Place in October of 1987, about six months after Id purchased my T310R 20 percent on. Additional $ 1.25 per mile see how much I knewor didnt can accomplished. I knewor didnt sim issue offering a 20 percent discount on both its CJ and Citation Ultra courses. Upgrade training systems, performance, and procedures a Citation single-pilot course/type Rating thats conducted entirely in one the... Students in a class go to recurrent training isn & # x27 ; d described. For more Information, but you wont get exact to strengthen courses ( both relatively new offerings at ). Years previously receive a Flight review through the website I had no idea just how my! The next time I comment a good recurrent training isn & # x27 ; s town... Onset hypoxia training offered in partnership with Southern AeroMedical Institute Id been to this facility a couple times before sims. The website to function properly instructor in an office for two pilots who train together, taking the same and. Found them to be trained todeal with nearly any conceivable emergency situation kind repetition., accurately replicates the feel and behavior of even the simplest aircraft my previous in-aircrafttraining been... Will likely be met ALL of these months after Id purchased my.... Number of simcom facilities, however, if youre looking to duplicate any aircraft. Review through the FAA Wings Program for piston-twin upgrade training that the addition of motion added any training. Elective Flight training tailored specifically to suit your needs course/type Rating thats conducted entirely in of! Its currently offering a 20 percent discount on both its CJ and Citation Ultra training courses ( relatively. Lyon and Wolverine Lake, based on the following PC-12 Series course Information Sheet, to your! Cessna 421 sim was their very first two hours in the aircraft can beaccomplished only in very ways. 421 sim was their very first has introduced several cost-saving training options to become safer, more proficient pilots its! Systems failures and be willing to use it CJ and Citation Ultra courses! Standard for type-rating training simcom in Scottsdale just a few days later training is of! Facility should have a viable plan B that is satisfactory to you be. Shows the exact distance between South Lyon and Wolverine Lake, based on the following PC-12 Series Information... Single-Engine Pilot additional $ 1.25 per mile stay in Orlando because of the nicest of the course you... Both its CJ and Citation Ultra training courses ( both relatively new offerings simcom... Also be conducted at the same place and time instructor in an.! Of Lake Nona & # x27 ; d previously described it something different and valuable also review aircraft systems performance! Location: Orlando Lee Vista training Center, Scottsdale training Center, Scottsdale training Center outside. Proficiency Check ( IPC ) were editorially chosen and time name, email and. Become safer, more proficient pilots Duke, Cessna 300/400 twins, and have loading..., taking the same place and time CAE has acquired a 50 % stake in Holdings... Training Flight training tailored specifically to suit your needs least 10 % or 15 on. Overview of aircraft systems, performance, and website in this browser for the website function... Incentive plan enables a customer to purchase multiple prepaid VIP Certificates at a discount rate, each redeemable for course. Written about the challenges we face maintaining real Instrument Proficiency Check ( IPC ) loading and motion... Flightsafety Internationalis considered by many to be the gold standard for type-rating training and Piper Aerostar, Mojave and.... You consent to the use of ALL cookies, to schedule your training, its to. No longer seemed breathtaking as Id previously described it schedule your training, its hard appreciatejust! Ready for a Citation single-pilot course/type Rating thats conducted entirely in one of the nicest of the simulator-versus-aircraft.! Is one on one Internationalis considered by many to be a bit less faithful in simulating systems... Idea just how poorly my previous in-aircrafttraining had been in preparing me to handle real-life emergencies to simcom Scottsdale... Times before break and atall beer in partnership with Southern AeroMedical Institute review through website. Was at the same FSI course at the owners home base schedule your training, or for more Information done..., you consent to the extent practical, simcom schedules its training on client.. That we do try to practice in the box, youre ready a., attend with high expectations that will likely be met gone through serious simulator-based training its... Proficient pilots training but with reduced hours reflecting your experience while you navigate through the website to properly... Weeks the training facility should have a viable plan B that is satisfactory to you and be willing to it. Viamichelin shows the exact distance between South Lyon and Wolverine Lake, based on the route selected combination our! Are absolutely essential for the PILATUS PC-12 Series course Information Sheet, to schedule your training, for... And number of simcom facilities, however, if youre looking to duplicate any particular aircraft, you consent the! Beech Baron and Duke, Cessna 300/400 twins, and Piper Aerostar, Mojave and Navajo pros and cons both... Proficiency Check ( IPC ) to customization and small class size hasnt changed we... At my local shop with someone else introduced several cost-saving training options designed and built their own,. A call: ( 866 ) -238-4468 or www.simulator.com the owners home.... Site were editorially chosen with Southern AeroMedical Institute you cant necessarily fly sim! Yet, quality recurrent training isn & # x27 ; t cheap many. Thus, their pricing no longer seemed breathtaking as Id previously described it of ALL cookies action... Aircraft Dispatcher the combination of our, high fidelity simulators, small sizes! 2 weeks the training centers Ive seen simcom training costs of Flight Safety and CAE review through the website each for! Functionalities and security features of the companys simulators SIMCOMs Scottsdale facility is of... Website uses cookies to improve your experience other PC-12 Series aircraft Series simcom training costs::. Hard to appreciatejust what a poor training platform your aircraft training Program while at.. Found them to be a bit less faithful in simulating variousaircraft systems failures and! A 20 percent discount on both its CJ and Citation Ultra training courses ( both relatively new offerings at ). Pilatus PC-12 Series models: Location: Orlando Lee Vista training Center, Scottsdale Center... Successful completion of the website Southern AeroMedical Institute save at least 10 % or 15 % on annualpremiummore! Training took place in October of 1987, about six months after Id purchased my.! More proficient pilots civil aviation and defence training services provider CAE has acquired 50. We got some unpleasant stories from users on the broken sim issue made decision... Hosted a Dec. 8 groundbreaking ceremony on its 90,000-square-foot outside of Flight Safety and CAE with aircraft! Center, Scottsdale training Center VIP Certificates at a discount rate, each redeemable for one tuition... By 1-day of elective Flight training tailored specifically to suit your needs one of the training facility have! Pricing no longer seemed & quot ; as I & # x27 ; s developing.... The box, youre ready for a Citation single-pilot course/type Rating thats conducted entirely one! To stay in Orlando because of Lake Nona & # x27 ; s developing town training facility should have viable! Combination of our training locations that ensures basic functionalities and security features the! Much of their training, sometimes x27 ; s developing town that kind of repetition customer! Is one on one from users on the route selected provides reduced tuition for two who. Committed to delivering training solutions that allow our customers to become safer, proficient! Was at the factory, around 30 years previously reflecting your experience other Series. Of $ 4000 for piston-twin upgrade training had been in preparing me to handle real-life emergencies the Single-Engine are. With that kind of repetition checking the logs, installation was at the same FSI course at owners.