IMCA has undertaken a study on simulator usage, in terms of a questionnaire exercise among its members. This publication sets out the results of that exercise.

During 2003, IMCA’s Training, Certification & Personnel Competence (TCPC) committee [now renamed 'Competence & Training'] decided that a study on simulator usage would be beneficial and included this in its work programme for 2004. A high-level questionnaire was developed and circulated to members, with the intent of finding out more about the use of simulators. It was hoped to gather information on members’ use, experience and views of simulators, particularly in relation to training, certification and competence assessment.

The questionnaire comprised thirty questions covering both simulators themselves and related personnel issues. The questions covered: the use and functionality of simulator systems; realism of simulation; possible future use of simulators; the complex relationship between trained personnel, simulator training itself and actual operations; training methodologies, including class sizes; and respondents' considerations of the future of simulator training.

There was a good response and some interesting feedback. The report provides a thorough analysis of collated responses and identifies a number of key findings.