SimuFlite SIC program suggestions?
 

I am considering applying to Simuflite's SIC program. I have heard this is a great way to get your foot in the door with a corporate flight department while learning something.

Any comments on good idea vs. bad??

Also, which aircraft would be the smartest choice if I get a position? I'm thinking about the Citation V because I've heard the type would apply to everything below the CJV in the CJ line.

Thanks ahead of time

I just looked at the program and it sounds promising but just as a caution alot of corporate jobs like to see time in type and to be honest 200 hours in a sim really isn't worth much. Yes it technically counts as time but I wouldn't really think it would put you ahead of anyone with time in the plane. just my two cents.

oh and don't confuse the CJ's with the citations, two different types. The citation 500 type covers the
500, 501, 550, 551 and the 560. Respectively, the citation I, II, V, Bravo, Ultra, and Encore.

The Citation Jet is a different name and type. It covers the CJ1, CJ2 and the CJ3 which are the 525.

To answer your question about what type, go with the citation. It covers alot of corporate aircraft out there.

I started my "corporate aviation career" at flightsafety in there PAID sic program, and have written many posts on that topic for other interested pilots, If you have a few minutes you should look them up you might find something that could help you. Good Luck!

Hey, I'm a SimuFlite SIC guy on the Beechjet.

I highly recommend it, if you can swing a flight instruction job at the same time. The networking has been great, and I've had a few job bites and offers in the process. Without any sim time I'm only at 710TT/22ME, but I've got my PIC type in the BE400 and am well underway on a second type.

You probably won't get to pick your aircraft, unless you happen to know that aircraft's training manager. You'll be placed in an aircraft where SICs are most need. Right now that happens to be the Citation. The Citation is a good program, along with the Hawker, since they cover multiple aircraft.

-Brett

I've known several pilots who went through the program and they highly recommend it. Be prepared to wait a while though. I signed up for it a month or so ago and am #40 something on the wait list.

On the contrary, 200 hours in a sim is worth its weight in gold for multiple reasons. First and foremost, you learn the aircraft systems front to back. After working through a couple of initial type ratings and recurrents, you'll have it down cold. Second, if you take it seriously and you're not just there to yank the gear, you'll experience every emergency scenario the instructors can throw out. That, in turn, takes you to the emergency procedures checklist which you'll eventually be reciting in your sleep, but read it each and every time like it was your first. It will help and impress the client sitting next to you. Third, the networking potential is limitless. Where else could you go and have chief pilots and directors of aviation held captive for five days to three weeks? It just doesn't get any better. Finally, act like a professional. It does not work walking around with resume in hand passing it around as if it were candy. Most will be turned off by this behavior. Those clients that notice your abilities, are in need of an SIC, and make the hiring decisions might ask for your resume. Of course, always have it nearby. Some chief pilots and DOAs like to give low-timers that show potential a chance in order to groom them into company captains.

Ditto. I went through FSI in Savannah five years ago. Without a doubt, the best experience of my life...that is in regards to aviation.

Again, ditto. Although I had less time than Brett, I was still hired as an SIC in type with 350 hours in the sim. Just remember that a job is not guaranteed out of the program, but it is definitely possible if you work hard at it. Hope this helps and best of luck as well.

no doubt. i'm a sim/ground instructor, and get job offers at least once per month. I love the interaction with the clients. Oh yeah, I always begin my classes with a break! :)

Thanks for all the info!! Sorry for the late response. I'm flight instructing trying to pay off the college loans, so I haven't been getting much forum time.

I think regardless of a guaranteed job offering it will be an outstanding opportunity.

For those who have been through the program: When you complete the sim sessions. How do you get the type rating. Also, is it an SIC only type?? I read somewhere that the Citation V can be certified for single pilot in some cases.

Once you're done with your 80 sessions you go through the complete PIC initial type rating course. At 40 sessions you can get your SIC type. Some Citations can be certified single pilot as long as the pilot has single-pilot training.

-Brett

Do you need an actual aircraft to complete the landings for the SIC or PIC type?

you need 25 hours in the airplane to activate the type, 20 for turbo-props.

For the SIC type, see FAR 61.55 (i).

Now for the PIC type, it depends on your experience level. My guess, since you are low time, is that you will fall under 61.63 (e)(10). You get the type rating with a PIC limitation on your certificate. I had the same limitation, and it's no big deal. It won't prevent you from getting a job as a SIC. Besides, no one will be hiring you as a PIC anyway. All you need is 25 hours of supervised operating experience in the left seat of an aircraft not the sim, and any typed ATP will suffice as the "supervisor". Just don't forget to have this person sign and date your logbook after each leg you fly in the left seat as "Acting PIC". Once you get the 25 hours, take your logbook to your local FSDO. You'll fill out an 8710 form, and they'll issue you a temporary without the limitation. You may need to refer the FAA inspector to the above FAR as they probably will not be familiar with it as was the case with me.

Hope this helps.

For you guys that are currently or have been in the SCM program, is there any particular knowledge areas that new guys are usually weak on? I'm just trying to figure out what all I need to study up on while I'm waiting in line. As I only have a few hours in turbine airplanes, I've been working on my ATP written and reading up on the Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual. I also have a bootleg King Air 200 training manual that I've been referring to as well.

Thanks!

Before going in, make sure you're instrument skills are SHARP! Read up a little on FMS systems. Believe it or not, my experience with FMS on Microsoft Flight Sim helped tremendously. CRM is going to be your friend in the sim. It'll be addressed in a little bit in the "indoc" class. CAE has it's own SOPs which you'll get in initial, which you should learn by heart. Other than that, don't worry too much about getting a head start. I came into the program with no jet experience and 600hrs, so if you're a sharp pilot, you'll be just fine.

I'll second what Airventure says above. Good instrument skills are a must and learn as much about FMS systems as possible before you get there. However, don't feel like you're at a disadvantage. I've witnessed several experienced pilots transition into an FMS equipped aircraft from steam gauges and struggle mightily. They're unbelievably good at the stick and rudder, but scared to death of today's automation. Even a little experience with the GPS systems in newer light aircraft will go long way in helping you. I'm not familiar with SimuFlite's program, but every training facility usually has an avionics/FMS guru. Find that person, latch on, and pick their brain as much as humanly possible.

Resurecting this thread. Does anyone know if Simuflite still has this program? And if they do does anyone know how to best get in contact with them to sign up for it. Thanks for any replies.

I used the right seat program to get my first type back in 02'. My understanding is that they still use the right seaters, but you may want to look into Flightsafety instead. Last guy I had in ILG was getting paid with bennies. Back when I was right seating they gave you the training but didnt pay squadoushe:) Good luck!

We do. The best "in" is to know somebody. There are so many applications for right seaters and part timers that you'll probably just get lost in the mix. If you know anyone there reach out. We can recommend folks internally through the system. I applied for three years with zero results. Found a buddy who called his boss and bam. Hired.

I just came back from recurrent and had a right seater for my IPC.

He did quite well but i would say the thing that was lacking was crm skill. I've heard this from colleagues before. Its one thin to go through a course but to practice it properly is different. Here is a few basic things that could help SIC's
1. Read the checklist clearly, loud enough to hear and slowly enough so both pilots know what needs to be done. It's not a race.
2. DONT FLIP A RED SWITCH WITHOUT CONFIRMING WITH THE OTHER PILOT!
3.Ask the left seat pilot what callouts they want and stick with them, dont make stuff up as you go along.

Hopefully this helps. It seems like a great way to network and seriously, you can not have enough friends in the aviation industry.

I currently fly SIC in a jet right now so I am wondering if that would maybe give me a little boost in the hiring mix? My biggest problem is finding out how to actually apply to the program. I cant find anything on their website. Any help on that front? Thanks

Pick up the phone and call them directly.

Hey N5,

Out of curiosity and to better answer your question, how much does the program cost and what guarantees do they offer? In the '90's, some pay-for-trainings programs were a terrible rip off, while other programs got pilots a Continental number. It seemed like the worst program at the time, since CAL was then in Chapter 11, and you paid $16,000 plus hotel for a $14,000/yr. job. But they ended up with a CAL, now UAL, seniority number. Luck of the draw.

Other pilots paid for the training and got nothing but in more debt, and that happened a lot. All for the promise of a shiny RJ job.

Be careful out there. SimuFlite has a great reputation and they probably do have quite a few "ins"... But in a few years, Citations are probably going to be parked for lack of crews and I, for one, can't wait!

Good luck,

B727DRVR

It infact, it might do the opposite. Flightsafety and Simuflite look for the same thing any department looks for.....a return on investment, so to speak. If you're already marketable they know that you will likely be gone at the first quality offer presented, afterall who the hell wants to sit in for a prebrief @ 0200 with some box hauler. They will be looking for low-time/low expierence level guys that they know will be there for atleast a year or 2. May want to "rethink" your resume before you send it in....if you get my drift:)