Originally Posted by
T-tail
That has already been the case in the commercial world for decades. The informal policy in the C-5 world is that only copilots require A/C sorties. Everyone else can accomplish currency and checkrides in the sim.
C-17 instrument qual and emergency procedures checkrides are all in the sims, no 3-engine or abnormal configuration flying is done in the aircraft.
Our initial qual students get a 4 month course consisting of academics, 38 sims and 3 flights (2 + check)