simulator or Real

[sky37d]

After not flying for about 6 months, my plane is getting it's annual done, and scheduled to wrap up on Wednesday. Now, to get proficient.

There's a place over in Ill that does simulator training for Skymasters. So, I could go over there, fly the simulator for a few days, get IPC out of the way.

Or.. Go fly with an instructor, do the same stuff in the plane. I truly have mixed feelings about it. If the instructor is good, it should be just fine, and since few GA airplanes are the same, I would be getting proficient in my plane. However, getting someone that is good, MEI, is frequently a challenge. Also, it will stretch over a longer period of time.

I am truly not certain which is the best way to go, and would appreciate LOTS of input. I'm really looking for train to proficiency, and then IPC. Since BFR is due in April, I could conceivably do that at the same time.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Flying Illini]

Are you talking about the Recurrent Training Center in Savoy, IL?
My .02 is to do the simulator route...you can do so much more as far as systems failures go that you just can't do (realistically) in the airplane.

 

[sky37d]

Yes. RTC, though I think it is in Champaign??

 

[Flying Illini]

It's in Savoy...just a few miles south of the Champaign/Savoy dividing line. I live about a 1.5 miles north of RTC (with a Savoy address). I work at Flightstar, the FBO at CMI, and we get alot of people come through who are going to RTC. I've never heard anything bad about the place. I've had a few friends who worked at the place and have since moved on...we never talked too much about RTC though. Sorry I can't tell you more.
If you decide to go there, PM me. If I'm not on a trip, I'll show you around town.

 

[350DRIVER]

Do it in your aircraft with a qualified instructor. It is not impossible to find a good mei. You need to maintain your standards in the aircraft, flying a sim will not accomplish too much. I would not even think twice about this one since it is the plane that you fly the most and are concerned about...

3 5 0

 

[sky37d]

Thanks.

Kind of what I have been thinking

 

[JediNein]

Greetings,
Go with the instructor in your own plane route. You can also pop into a local simulator for a few hours of instrument work. Sure, the local sim probably won't do a decent engine failure model, but that is not the purpose of the sim sessions. Get the engine failure work in your own airplane.

Cessna Pilots Association usualy can give you the name and contact info of a nearby 337 instructor. If you can attend CPA's 336/337 Systems and Procedures Course, it is well worth the weekend and cost, even for mechanics. At this time CPA does not have a formal Flight Proficiency Course for the 337, but it is in progress (along with the rest of their 2004 seminar schedule).

Glad to hear your plane will be back in the air soon.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Vik]

Its centerline thrust. I'm not familiar w/ the Skymaster, but what is the big deal that you need a top of the line MEI? One engine quits, you keep flying right?

Sorry if I sound like a big ahole but I don't intend to. Just curious what the big deal is ..

 

[surplus1]

I have no idea what type of simulator might be available for a Skymaster but therein lies the key to your question.

If a Class C or D simulator is available (which I think is unlikely), by all means use it. It will be more effective as a learning experience, much safer, and less expensive. However, if the "simulator" is one of those Frasca-like devices, well, they aren't really simulators and you'd be better off in your own airplane.

IMO, safety and cost are the prime considerations in choosing between simulators and live aircraft for training. Given that your airplane is CL thrust, the safety factor is not as serious a concern.

Whether you use the simulator or the airplane, the quality of the instructor is equally important.

 

[j328driver]

Fight like you train, and train like you fight.

The training in YOUR airplane is what's going to save your bacon when the piston rod decides to come through the cylinder wall in your No. 2 at 400 agl on the climb out in the soup!

Sims are great for instrument procedures training. Airplanes are best for emergency training, even if you have to simulate things from time to time. Of course, the best training is simulator training in your type of aircraft. But, unless you have a business jet or a commercial aircraft, chances are that'll be hard to find.

Find the right MEI and trade him/her some twin time for some instruction and you'll both end up happy.

Cheers.

 

[sky37d]

Thanks to all.
The only sims are the cockpit mounted to the floor. Not moving ones. Training in my plane, seems to be the best way to go.

Oh, actually flew it Sunday, 3 short hops, checking systems.
They have a couple little things to tweak.

??? CAN ANY CFI-MEI give me dual in a CLT plane ??
They would have to be MEI rated, right? Not just CFII?? The guy who taught me has since retired, medical thing, so I have to find someone else.


Thanks again.

 

[350DRIVER]

They would have to be MEI rated, right? Not just CFII?? The guy who taught me has since retired, medical thing, so I have to find someone else

You will need a mei even if it is a CLT aircraft. Happy to hear you are going the plane route over the simulator, much better in my opinion. You can only simulate so much in the kind of sim that you have access to.

3 5 0

 

[Crizz]

I'll do it... PM on its way.

 

[sky37d]

PM'd back.

My plane

Outside

Inside

 

[JediNein]

Skymasters

Nice Plane!

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Dubya]

The facts.

Training in your airplane is very valuable...with a knowledgeable and concerned MEI. Finding one with knowledge in your particular airplane can be difficult. Simulator training should supplement instruction in your airplane.

You cannot simulate emergencies in an airplane with ANY realism and any degree of safety. I'll be glad to post examples if anyone can't figure that out on their own.

350driver...just how much and how realisticly can you simulate emergencies in the airplane?

sky37d.....do both.....you will be a better pilot for it.

W

 

[Typhoon1244]

My plane...Inside

My god, what the hell are those things in front of the yoke???

Oh yeah...gauges. I'm getting spoiled.

 

[Sc00ter]

??? CAN ANY CFI-MEI give me dual in a CLT plane ??
They would have to be MEI rated, right?

Thanks again.

They must have 5 hours in make and model too.

scoot

 

[prpjt]

They must have 5 hours in make and model too.

Is that for any instruction or just instruction toward a new rating?

 

[sky37d]

Is that for any instruction or just instruction toward a new rating?

Oh, good question. So If I find someone, I have to go fly with them for a while, then we can start instructing??

Oh, and Typhoon, that box in the center is not a GPS. Nothing that fancy.