Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and computer programs for implementing a simulation based operator training system on a cloud computing cluster. The invention receives information identifying one or more parameters of an operator training simulation, and retrieves virtual machine (VM) images corresponding to a master VM, operator VM and instructor VM. The invention selects a first physical host platform, a second physical host platform and a third physical host platform and instantiates a master VM at the first physical host platform, an operator VM at the second physical host platform and an instructor VM at the third physical host platform. Network connections between the instantiated master VM, operator VM and instructor VM are thereafter configured.