Originally Posted by
captjns
When I got my fourth stripe it wasn't, as you refer to it, as a "crash course". The examination process consisted of a one day written exam, one day oral, four hour sim check, and the easy part... bounces in the jet. Back in the day, you had to know details as the manufacturers of the CSD, Generators, Nav systems. One had to explain the ratio of the lockout of the outboard ailerons whilst the flaps were extending and retracting on the old 727 during the walk around. OCS training? no. Know your aircraft? You bet!
Thankfully those days are over and knowing what kind of blots hold the engine on the pylon is useless info. Training is more practical in this day in age and not ego driven by a few eggheads in the training department.