rustypilot

Air inc offers simulator preps? Are they worth the $? Are there any other companies that help prep you up for simulator/glass cockpit before an interview? The reason, I am asking is that I have yet to sit in a glass cockpit or any simulator for that matter and a sim prep may offer me some "valuable" practice? Anyone have suggestions?

rickair7777

I don't know about air inc, but if you have an interview sim ride, whether you prep or not can often be a deal breaker.

For most airlines which do interview sim, there is someone local (maybe even a line pilot) who offers airline-specific prep in the same (or very similar) model sim, using the profiles commonly used by that airline. This is the way to go, but you would have to ask around on the internet to find out.

If the airline uses a steam guage sim, and no specific prep is available, then just get some time at your local school or FBO. This will help significantly. Focus on basic IFR, full approaches, holds. I've never heard of an airline which does engine failures on the interview.

It does not make sense (to me) for a regional to use an glass turbojet sim to interview low time pilots...they are VERY expensive, and the results are predictible...a serious beatdown. If you will have to a ride in an RJ sim, you had better get some time in one. Hopefully someone offers an airline-specific prep, but if not just get what you can. Like I said emergencies are not likely to be performed at an interview.

norskman2

Good advice. Try to find interview/sim prep that's specific to the airline you're interviewing with.

It seems most of the regionals use a Frasca-type or even a desktop sim. There are a few that use glass cockpit sims. If you're going to one of those, and have NO glass cockpit time, seriously, a PC-based sim program like OnTop or even MS Flight Simulator X can help. I had a sim session in an CRJ sim, used MSFS X to practice, and it helped tremendously.