Michael Leek, founder of Simuvation, shares his journey in aviation and how he got into the simulation training industry. He started as a tech entrepreneur in the aviation industry and then became a pilot, flying for charter companies and instructing at CAE. He eventually transitioned into the tech side of aviation, working on training deliverables and simulator performance data analysis. With his experience in professional simulator training, he saw the need for scenario-based training and competency-based assessment in primary flight training. He predicts that in the future, all pilots will be required to undergo simulator training and pass a sim academy before starting flight training. Michael discusses the challenges and conflicts in flight training and the potential for simulators to improve the training process. He emphasizes the need for better education and consumer awareness to address the inefficiencies in flight training. Michael also highlights the role of insurance companies in promoting simulator training and suggests that simulators should be used as a base of proficiency before flying in an actual aircraft. He shares his vision of requiring simulators in primary flight training and the benefits they can bring to both instructors and students.

Takeaways

Simulation training is an important aspect of professional pilot training and can also benefit primary flight training.

There is a need for scenario-based training and competency-based assessment in primary flight training.

In the future, all pilots may be required to undergo simulator training and pass a sim academy before starting flight training. Flight training often takes longer than the required hours, leading to increased costs for students. Consumer education and awareness can help address this issue.

Simulators can be used to build proficiency and reduce the time required for flight training. They can also create a safer and more efficient learning environment for instructors and students.

Insurance companies can play a role in promoting simulator training by requiring a level of proficiency before flying in an actual aircraft.

The use of simulators in primary flight training can improve the skills and knowledge of flight instructors, leading to better training outcomes for students.

The Simuvation mobile training unit offers a solution for flight schools and instructors to incorporate simulator training into their programs.

Sound Bites

"We can do this from day one. And if we know it makes professional pilots better pilots and it's easier for professional pilots to learn, like if the most experienced pilots, these things are good for, then why aren't these things good for the most inexperienced pilots?"

"If the consumer was better educated, maybe the consumer would say, 'Well, flight school, how do you make it so that I only need to spend 40 hours in an airplane?'"

"Before you put someone in their airplane for their first hour, maybe they need to have five hours in a sim. Maybe they need 10 hours in a sim. And not only is it safer, but you create a better environment for the flight instructor."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:07 Getting into Aviation: Tech Entrepreneur to Pilot

08:25 Flying Banners and Transitioning to Simulator Training

15:45 Flying Charter and the Importance of Scenario-Based Training

19:42 The Role of Simulation in Professional Pilot Training

23:20 The Need for Scenario-Based Training in Primary Flight Training

28:11 The Vision and Mission of Simuvation

28:52 Predictions for the Future of Pilot Training

29:22 Addressing the Challenges in Flight Training

32:10 The Potential of Simulators in Flight Training

34:01 Using Simulators to Build Proficiency

36:00 The Evolution of Simulator Technology

40:09 Introducing the Simuvation Mobile Training Unit

52:55 The Benefits of Aviation as a Career

https://www.simuvation.com/

https://www.smokehousepilots.com/