I am engaged in operating the B 737 mainly in Europe and my employer has utilised another operator's 737 flight simulator with three axis motion for some eight years for the purpose of training. Currently we are using a six-axis motion moving base 737 flight simulator with computer generated image visual attachment.

During this period the ratio of simulator to aircraft training for type conversion has changed progressively from 6 hours simulator and 12 hours aircraft initially, to approximately 32 hours simulator and 3 hours aircraft currently. Similarly the checking pattern has changed from using the simulator for the I/R and one competency check annually to the current practice of completing all refresher training, regulatory authority check requirements and some aspects of command training on the simulator.