A Fresh Look at SIMCOM

I recently learned of a facility Id not previously known. Aircraft Simulator Training in Santa Rosa, CA, advertises in my type-club magazine and I decided to give them a try. Due to some date confusion on my part, I thought I was beginning this process with a couple months of flexibility. In reality, I had a couple weeks. In e-mail discussions I was impressed with the approach that Aircraft Simulator Training took, but we just couldnt get the schedule to work. So, I looked elsewhere.

Key Takeaways:

• Recurrent flight training is essential, with the author recommending diversifying training providers or instructors occasionally to gain fresh perspectives, similar to taking an aircraft to different mechanics.
• Pilots should pre-define their personal objectives for recurrent training—such as instrument proficiency, systems refreshers, or abnormal procedure practice—to ensure a tailored and effective experience.
• While the author found SIMCOM's instructors, material, and facility excellent with more competitive pricing, the specific Cessna 421 simulator used was old, buggy, and often malfunctioned, significantly diminishing the training effectiveness.
• Simulator training is generally superior to in-aircraft training for proficiency due to its cost-effectiveness, ability to replicate failures and diverse conditions, and higher repetition rates, though a properly functioning simulator is crucial.

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