Training

[Lynda]

Hi Royd,

Ray has just explained the training required as FO and Captain in US and in his airline. How does this compare to UK????

Lynda

[Falcon]

My course for the 737 was one month in the classroom then one month in the simulator. As Ray said the pressure is really on.

I have both American and English licenses. I found the US CPL written very straight forward but the flight test hard. Four hours with an examiner face to face asking verbal questions, two hours in a single engined aircraft to show the advanced maneuvers and then two hours in the twin engined aircraft to show those maneuvers. All waiting for the dreaded words....."I'm sorry Mr Attenborough but you cannot pass today. If you would like to continue.........."

When I returned I found the reverse. My flight test was straight forward three hours, very pleasant and I was only asked two questions after we landed. The written exams were very different. First was a six week course followed by two days of solid exams one after the other of seven different subjects. That was the navigation block. Four week course and another day and half of six exams and that was the technical subjects done. We are not there yet One week course and one exam was the Perf A which is a required performace exam to fly Jets a must for any serious CV.

I consider myself very lucky to have studied both professional licenses and in my personal opinion found the US flying test better than the UK and the UK writtens better than the US. I take elements from both and use them and I don't think either license is better than the other they are just from different philosophies.

[Passenger Mark]

Royd... That was interesting! Thanks...


It appears that either way is all inclusive! Yikes... I know of no other job that puts its applicants through so much. Hard on you guys, but good knowledge for us!