I am doing training for a small jet for the first time. I breezed through the classroom but am encountering much more difficulty in the sim than expected. I'm starting to get very worried.

Issues:

1) The sim is extremely pitch sensitive, but not the least roll sensitive. So, if I have to bank the airplane it's very hard not to pitch it. It's also not the least trim sensitive; I have to trim the hell out of it to counteract a fingertips worth of yoke movement. This is giving me a hard time with my altitudes.

2) Airspeed. I'm used to piston, and I'm used to using a given power setting to achieve a given airspeed in a given situation...attitude plus power gives performance. I'm not getting this in the sim. When I ask, the answer is always 'I don't know, grab a handful of power and use it.' I'm constantly getting too fast, then bringing the power back too far, and then getting too slow. This is also my first time with an EFIS system, and I may not be scanning effectively. I'm trying not to get above 180 or so on the airspeed the entire time.

3) Instruction. I have an 'old-timer' instructor as well as a new guy that he's training. They argue a lot, the older one is extremely abrasive, and they are constantly stopping/restarting me in the middle of maneuvers to make some fine point that would more effectively be made in debrief. When they restart the airplane is all over the place. The older fellow has told me that I stink (figuratively) and that he doesn't think I can do this.


So...advice? Advice on how to better fly a simulator and better manage airspeed and altitude? Advice on how to better manage the instructor? Is the problem just with me? Most of my prior flight training has come very easily, and (although I'm not blaming him, I know I'm messing up) I feel the negative instruction is really hurting me. Maybe I've been coddled up until now and this is how it is in 'the real world'. When he starts yelling at me because I don't have DA set in my ADF as a reminder on an ILS approach (when I have the compass locator for the approach set in there, which is how I'd prefer it) I feel myself closing in and tunneling in and worse things start happening.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

The first transition from props to turbojet will always be rough...expect to be behind the power curve for the first 2-4 sessions. If you have basic controllability problems after that, you may need some remedial time.

Trim is critical, fly the pitch with the trim except for the stalls/steeps.

Don't get distracted by all the bells and whistles in the cockpit...focus on the basics.

Jets are flown by intruments...no need to look outside for most manuevers (except LDG), try to stay on the guages. Your instructor should explain expected attitude and power settings for various manuevers.

 

This is true for most simulators. While today's sims are very good, they are almost always harder to fly than the airplane. Unfortunately, this is something you will have to deal with for the remainder of your career. Use the autopilot when you can. It will give you a chance to catch your breath and retrim the aircraft for you.

If the "old timer" won't give you basic pitch/power settings for a given maneuver, pull the young guy aside and ask him. Ask some buddies who are going through the program. Once you're within the ballpark of your target airspeed for a given maneuver, you should rarely need to make large power adjustments. Keep them small, like a half of a knob to a knob-width at most. SCAN SCAN SCAN!

Different people react in different ways. Some respond well to the old school method where the instructor screams, yells, etc - others do not. If you're the latter, I would consider asking for an instructor change if that's a possibility. It's YOUR training! Also, the sim is usually out of trim when they reposition it and take it off freeze. Don't let this rattle you - just be ready for it.

Last, "chair fly" everything you can, and put extra emphasis on engine-out procedures, non-precision approaches, stalls/steep turns, or whatever is giving you problems. I've been at this for 20+ years and still do it before going to the box. You will be surprised how much easier everything else becomes when you don't have to "think" about how to do a given maneuver. Good luck!

 

scan and scan fast the faster the better.

 

first.....just curious...how many hours do you have...

NOW....take a deep breath..... relax.... fly with your fingertips and only use large power changes when you think you need them. Find out where the POWER is ... every engine series is different.... what i mean is that power may not be increase uniformly with N1...... find those spots..know what power settings will get you close then find them......

Above all RELAX.... if you have a death grip on the yoke because of your frustration you will have a hard time getting the feel down.

Bright side.... if you can fly the sim .... for most people the airplane comes much easier......good luck.

 

I have a fair number of hours, probably more than the average person here. That's why I'm a little surprised at the difficulty. I think I'm getting the hang of it though, the last couple of sessions have gone pretty well.