Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jet Simulator Trainee

🎯 Role Definition

The Jet Simulator Trainee supports flight-training operations by learning and executing simulator setup, operation, scenario programming, and basic troubleshooting for Full Flight Simulators (FFS/FSTD). Reporting to Senior Simulator Instructors and Technical Leads, the trainee assists in pre-flight and post-flight checks, manages simulator records, supports instructor-led training sessions and helps maintain regulatory compliance (FAA/EASA/CASA). This role is ideal for early-career pilots, avionics technicians, or aviation graduates seeking hands-on experience with flight simulation technologies and type-rating training environments.

Keywords: jet simulator trainee, flight simulator operations, Full Flight Simulator, FSTD, type rating, simulator technician, simulator instructor support, FAA, EASA, simulator scenarios.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Flight school graduate (ATPL/Commercial Pilot License holders) seeking FSTD experience
Aircraft Maintenance Technician (A&P / AME) transitioning into simulation operations
Military or civilian simulator operator/technician with basic FSTD exposure

Advancement To:

Simulator Instructor (Type Rating Instructor)
Lead Simulator Technician / FSTD Engineer
FSTD Operations Supervisor or Training Center Coordinator
Type Rating Program Manager or Training Manager

Lateral Moves:

Quality Assurance / Compliance Specialist (FSTD QA)
Flight Operations or Crew Training roles
Avionics Support or Maintenance Planning

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive pre-session simulator checks, including verification of power supplies, hydraulic systems emulation, visual system alignment, cockpit instrument power-up sequences, and FMS initialization to ensure the simulator is mission-ready and meets Level D/Level C FSTD standards.
Set up and configure type-specific scenarios, aircraft weight and balance profiles, fuel planning, weather conditions, and failures in the simulator scenario manager in accordance with the training syllabus and instructor requests.
Assist instructors during training events by operating instructor station software, loading scenarios, injecting failures, managing replay and freeze functions, and ensuring seamless control handover during type rating and recurrent training sessions.
Perform detailed post-session procedures: data capture, session log extraction, saving and archiving of scenario files, annotating simulator logs, and compiling incident/maintenance reports for review by senior staff and engineering teams.
Monitor, document and report any simulator anomalies, software errors, or unusual system behaviors; create clear fault reports for escalation to FSTD engineers and 3rd-party vendors, and coordinate follow-up actions to minimize downtime.
Execute basic simulator troubleshooting and corrective actions under supervision, including restarting instructor station applications, performing network reboots, verifying communication between simulation modules, and replacing modular peripherals where permitted.
Ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements (FAA, EASA, CAAS, or regional authorities) and internal SOPs for FSTD operation, recordkeeping, instructor qualifications verification, and audit readiness.
Support instructor-led briefings and student debriefings by preparing playback replays, annotated event timelines, performance metrics, and contributing observations focused on aircraft systems, procedures, and CRM behaviors.
Maintain and update the training center’s simulator logbooks, maintenance trackers, session schedules, and equipment inventories to support traceability, audit trails and operational planning.
Assist in calibration and alignment routines for visual systems, motion platforms, force-feedback controls, and avionics interfaces, following vendor procedures and under the supervision of qualified technicians or engineers.
Participate in simulator acceptance testing, software updates and version control activities, including loading manufacturer patches, verifying system integrity, and validating restored training scenarios after updates.
Support customer-facing operations by coordinating briefing schedules, communicating equipment status, explaining simulator capabilities and limitations, and delivering a high standard of customer service to airline clients and visiting aircrew.
Maintain confidentiality of training records and customer data while supporting data extraction for quality assurance, training effectiveness analysis, and regulatory reporting.
Help develop and iterate scenario content and training aids by working with instructors to convert training objectives into reproducible simulator events, failure modes, and assessment criteria.
Observe and learn advanced instructor techniques, scenario management, and debrief methodologies, applying these lessons to support high-fidelity training and assessment under mentorship.
Participate in emergency response drills, simulator evacuation procedures, and safety exercises; ensure cockpit and instructor-station safety hardware is inspected and compliant.
Perform routine housekeeping, cable management and environmental checks in simulator rooms to protect sensitive equipment and maintain optimal operating conditions for projection, cooling and hydraulic systems.
Assist with inventory management and procurement requests for simulator spares, peripheral components, and consumables; track warranty items and liaise with vendors to expedite repairs.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by collecting operator feedback, documenting recurrent issues, and supporting root-cause analysis to improve simulator reliability and training quality.
Support cross-functional teams (maintenance, IT, operations, training development) to coordinate simulator downtime windows, software maintenance schedules, and data backups to minimize operational impact.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of aircraft type systems, airline procedures, SOPs and emergency checklists relevant to the simulator fleet, applying theoretical knowledge practically under supervision.

Secondary Functions

Assist in capturing and analyzing simulation telemetry and performance metrics (flight parameters, control inputs, crew responses) to support instructor assessments and training quality reports.
Help maintain and support simulator IT infrastructure: managing backups, verifying network connectivity between instructor station and simulation modules, and coordinating with IT for security patches and server updates.
Participate in the development and revision of training documentation, quick reference guides for instructors, and standard operating procedures for simulator use.
Support ad-hoc customer requests such as custom scenario design, demonstration flights, and exportable session reports for airline training departments.
Contribute to the organization's simulator maintenance strategy by documenting recurring component failures, recommending spare part stocking levels, and participating in vendor communications.
Provide support during third-party audits and regulator inspections by preparing logs, facilitating access to simulator data, and assisting senior staff with evidence collection.
Assist with scheduling and resource allocation: coordinating simulator block times, standby resources for last-minute changes, and ensuring proper allocation of instructor and simulator availability.
Engage in continuing professional development activities, attend vendor training sessions, and obtain relevant certifications required for progression to instructor or technician roles.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Flight simulator operation: hands-on familiarity with instructor/operator stations, scenario managers, and simulator control software (examples: CAE Simfinity, L3Harris, FlightSafety, TRU simulation tools).
FSTD knowledge: understanding of Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and Flight Training Device classification, limitations, and regulatory standards (Level D, Level C).
Aircraft systems knowledge: detailed understanding of jet aircraft systems (airframe, engines, flight controls, hydraulics, electrics, avionics) relevant to the type(s) simulated.
Avionics and FMS operation: ability to configure and troubleshoot avionics suites, FMC/FMS initialization, and radio navigation setups within the simulator environment.
Basic avionics/electrical troubleshooting: familiarity with cockpit instrumentation, interconnects, CAN/LAN networks used in simulators, and basic replacement/inspection procedures.
Motion and visual system basics: understanding of motion platform behavior, visual projection alignment, curved-screen systems, and refresh rate/latency considerations.
Data capture & analysis: experience with flight data recording, extracting simulation telemetry, replay tools and basic analysis to produce actionable debrief materials.
IT and networking fundamentals: knowledge of Ethernet networks, server-client architecture, permissions, backup procedures, and basic cybersecurity hygiene.
Regulatory compliance: familiarity with FAA/EASA/CASA FSTD guidance, training centre approvals, and recordkeeping standards.
Maintenance documentation: ability to complete technical logs, defect cards, maintenance tracking systems and liaise with engineering teams and vendors.
Scenario programming: competence in scripting or configuring failures, environmental conditions, and time-of-day/visibility settings in simulation software.
Tools and diagnostics: use of vendor diagnostic tools, hardware test equipment and ability to interpret system health indicators.

Soft Skills

Clear verbal and written communication tailored to pilots, instructors, engineers and customers.
Strong attention to detail and methodical approach to pre-/post-session checklists and recordkeeping.
Customer service orientation and professional demeanor when supporting airline clients and visiting crews.
Teamwork and collaboration across training, maintenance, and operations groups to deliver reliable training outcomes.
Problem-solving and analytical mindset for diagnosing simulator issues and proposing pragmatic interim solutions.
Adaptability and learning agility to rapidly pick up new aircraft types, simulation platforms and instructor techniques.
Time management and the ability to prioritize simulator readiness for scheduled sessions and urgent client needs.
Instructional support and coaching aptitude—comfortable assisting with debriefs and explaining technical events to trainees.
Calm under pressure during in-session failures, system anomalies or training events that require immediate action.
Proactive mindset for continuous improvement and contributing to incremental reliability gains in simulator ops.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent required. Evidence of aviation-related training, apprenticeship or certifications recommended.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical/Aerospace Engineering, Aviation, Avionics, or a related technical field.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with multi-engine and instrument ratings, or relevant technician certification (A&P, AME).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aeronautical or Aerospace Engineering
Aviation Technology or Flight Operations
Avionics / Electrical Engineering
Aircraft Maintenance and Repair (A&P / AME)
Human Factors / Crew Resource Management (CRM) training

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 3 years in aviation-related roles; trainees often join with flight school experience, basic maintenance experience, or military simulator exposure.

Preferred:

1+ years working with flight simulators, airline operations, aircraft maintenance, or as a line pilot or flight instructor.
Practical exposure to FMS operation, CRM, and standard operating procedures for jet aircraft.
Any vendor-specific simulator training or certification (e.g., CAE, L3, FlightSafety) is a strong advantage.

Note: This recruiter-style job brief is optimized for search and for LLM parsing by using clear role keywords (jet simulator trainee, flight simulator, FSTD, type rating) and structured sections for responsibilities, skills, and career progression.