Co-Pilots May Sim Instead of Fly To Train

CyberLord Seven writes "The Washington Post has up an article on a proposed new standard that would allow co-pilots, and co-pilots only, to gain most of their flight experience through flight simulators rather than through actual flight on smaller planes." From the article: "The move is designed to allow foreign airlines, especially those in Asia and the Middle East that face shortages of pilots, to more quickly train and hire flight crews. The United States isn't expected to adopt the new rules anytime soon, but international pilots trained under the new standards will be allowed to fly into and out of the country. The change is generating some controversy. Safety experts and pilot groups question whether simulators -- which have long been hailed as an important training tool -- are good enough to replace critical early flight experience." It should be pointed out this isn't just Microsoft Flight Simulator they are playing. These are motion-controlled capsules that simulate the realities of an aircraft's movement.

Serious Training

[Anonymous Coward]

It should be pointed out this isn't just Microsoft Flight Simulator they are playing.

The advanced trainee also plays X-Wing Vs. TIE Fighter.

how many drops is this for you lieutenant?

[limber]

Ripley: How many drops is this for you, Lieutenant?
Gorman: Thirty eight... simulated.
Vasquez: How many *combat* drops?
Gorman: Uh, two. Including this one.
Drake: Shit.
Hudson: Oh, man...

Top Ten Reasons For Co-Pilots to Sim Train

[WillAffleckUW]

1. Hot woohoo in the virtual cabin!
2. Avoids those messy in-air collisions
3. Who needs to land anyway, right FAA?
4. Easier to cuss out the trainer
5. HaXX0RZ can upgrade your Piper Cub for Gladiatorial Combat
6. Saves on jet fuel that funds terrorism
7. Prepares you for real-world situations like having Hot Coffee running on your Flight Simulator
8. No distractions from Flight Attendants (see the BBC show ...)
9. The food is better
10. Electrons don't scream when they crash and burn.

in WoW terms.

[Anonymous Coward]

Here in the US a pilot is required to have 1,500 hours of flight time

1500 hours doing anything is nothing to sneeze at. To put that into perspective for games.slashdot readers, it's the same as typing /played in WoW and getting 62 days, 12 hours, 0 minutes.