Most Difficult Sim Senario at the Airlines

[B767Driver]

What is the most difficult task to complete in the Sim during training?

Flying a non-precision approach in a bigger jet. 1) You are never aligned well with the runway when you break out of the clouds and the approach lights and runway lights are very difficult to pick out because the vis is so low...2) there is always a strong crosswing and a visual illusion that causes you to overcorrect (caused by the lack of proper sensation of motion over the ground)...3) you are low to the ground...4) you must have the approach stabilized not to exceed 1000' per minute in the descent making proper descent judgments crucial while you are still in the clouds to attain a proper descent profile...and 4) you must be in a position to land the airplane in the touchdown zone of the runway.

If the descent profile did not work out to where you would land in the TDZ...you are not able to exercise good judgment and go around and try it again. Failure to put the airplane in the TDZ the first time is a failed attempt.

It's a pretty tough maneuver to pull all of that off....and probably requires the most simulator practice for most guys.

V1 Cuts...(Engine Failure during Takeoff at max gross weight)...no problem. 100% of guys fly a flawless V1 cut.

 

[derg]

Your o2 masks don't work for real in the sim?

Just compressed air which sucks because it becomes a masky sauna.

Honestly, I think the hardest I've seen in the sim was the LDA19 into DCA single engine/flaps 20/no anti skid. LOTS of step down fixes and REALLY REALLY fast ref. We got it down but ended up swimming in the Potomac at the end of the runway.

Single engine into DCA? You failed baby! Take your ass to IAD!

 

[BobDDuck]

Single engine into DCA? You failed baby! Take your ass to IAD!

I tried requesting that. The sim op said somthing like "noted, but IAD is closed." I asked him about BWI, Andrews and I think even PHL. No luck.

That is part of my standard brief out of DCA though. "Any problems are going to Dullas or Andrews." Maybe landing the ILS to 1 wouldn't be bad but the single engine missed up the river would be a real bitch.

 

[derg]

Was he just playing "I'm a bigger stud than you" or something similar?

 

[Dugie8]

Dash 8, FO initial checkride, loose an engine at V1/VR, then loose the roll spoilers, raw data approach to mins. Was pulling simulator seat cushion out of my butt for a week.

DC8 type ride, 3 engine NDB approach to a 3 engine miss, loose the 2nd engine on the hold entry, followed by a 2 engine visual (no glideslope). Pulled even more cushion out.