Training in different parts of the world [Archive] - Taking Flight

WillFlyToDisney

03-27-2005, 05:08 PM

Royd,

Do commercial pilots get the same type of training no matter where they fly or where they were trained? Does the KLM pilot from Amsterdam go thru the same things learning to fly the 737 that a SWA pilot in the US would go thru?

Are the certifications transferable? If you wanted to transfer from EasyJet to SWA in the US are there extra things you have to do?

Thanks!
Kelley

Falcon

03-28-2005, 11:53 AM

In Europe we have JAR OPS which is a joint aviation standard. Easyjet require all pilots to have a JAA license as we are a pan-European airline. I am fairly confident that the KLM pilot has the same license therefore we have trained to the same standard and have meet the same criteria every six months in the Sim. Each country will also have its own licenses which conform to ICAO but can be different from each other.
So to Southwest. From here I am making an educated guess and I will rely on Ray to correct me, but he goes. First I'll have to get a FAA ATPL. I have a valid CPL but would need to take the written exam and pass the flight test. Then I'll need a US 737 type rating. So lets assume that I have had that call SWA would probably put me through their ground school and full Sim experience. That would get me the type rating (the specific part of the license that allows me to fly 737) and I think they would be able to integrate the ATPL into that but don't quote me. I would expect the flying to be similar ( engine failure at V1, single engine go around, single engine ILS to land etc) all my US exams featured and oral section so I would expect a grilling. In the UK before the rating was issued I had to prove I could land the aircraft for real so I had to do six take offs and landings in Prestwick. I don't know if there is the same requirement in the US.
To finally answer your question, we both fly Boeing's and follow their manuals. There are differences particular to each airline but if you stuck me and Ray in a Sim and said fly from Gatwick to Malaga we could do it quite easily having never met.
I now await Ray's comment to fill in the blanks.