Originally Posted by
pangolin
I think the time in these trainers is next to useless. They are LSA - you cannot fly IFR in them. Practice approaches sure but real hard IFR? No. I want someone who has flown enough variety to have scared themselves - several times. I want someone who knows how to react when the **** hits the fan and the pressure is on. The absolute best FO's I've flown with were cadets from Southern. The worst are the RTC transition pilots. The Caravan drivers are well versed in their instrument procedures. They can fly the plane. The RTC guys are weak instrument pilots (great guys) but we are teaching basic skills IN AN AIRLINER.
The Pipi long stockings FO's are going to be a handful.
RTC is that the same as RTAG, the military rotary guys? They are the best FOs I have flown with. skilled, disciplined, respectful, excellent work ethic, able to take criticism. I wish they were all like that.
And all of them had excellent instrument skills. One guy, if recall correctly was in the 160th SOAR night stalkers, you don't get selected for that if you're weak in anything.