PSA Training Overview – What to Expect (From Someone Who Recently Finished)

Here’s everything you might want to know about PSA’s ground and simulator training, straight from someone who recently completed it and lived to tell the tale.

Training footprint:

• INDOC: ~8 days
• Systems: ~10 days
• SIPs: ~9 days
• KV: 1 day
• MV Sims: 6 sessions
• MV check
• LOFT Sims: 4 sessions
• LOE check
• IOE ~3-4 trips

Quick glossary (because all those letters get confusing fast):

• SIP: Systems & Integration Procedures
• KV: Knowledge Validation (oral exam style)
• MV: Maneuvers Validation
• LOFT: Line Oriented Flight Training
• LOE: Line Oriented Evaluation
• IOE: Initial Operating Experience

Training lasts around 2.5 to 3 months in CLT, and you’ll stay in a long-term hotel setup with a kitchen and living space, which helps when you’re there for the long haul. You usually get short breaks between SIPs and KV, and again between KV and SIMs - you can go home during those. My advice? Bring your car. The hotel shuttles are fine at first, but relying on them gets old fast, especially when you just need groceries or want to grab dinner off-airport.


Surviving Through Training:

Memorize all bold limitations before day one. It makes a huge difference and gives you breathing room when things start moving fast.

Take it seriously. PSA CRJ training is no joke. There are no real “off days.” The day you decide to take a break is the day you start falling behind. It’s intense, but you’ll be fine if you stay consistent.

Passion beats perfection. I’ve never been a straight-A student - my attention span is about 10 minutes and I struggled in school - but I had a passion for aviation. That’s what kept me going. If you love this career, you’ll make it through.

During training, I made the mistake of not going out or hanging with classmates. I regret that. You need some balance. Go out once in a while, have a laugh, get to know your group - it helps with stress and keeps your mental health in check.



Study Tips That Might Help Maybe…

Group study is a lifesaver for a lot of people. You’ll learn more by explaining things to others and cross-checking answers.

Now, full honesty - I didn’t do group study. I’ve just never been a fan of it. I preferred using Quizlet, and that was my secret weapon. It worked great for me, but I know that’s not everyone’s style. If you’re a social learner, group study can make a huge difference and keep you sane.



For SIPs and SIMs, study callouts and procedures together. No shortcuts here. Most people who didn’t team up for SIPs and SIMs ended up getting held back for extra help. If your partner’s calling “gear up” while you’re still on the runway, it’s going to be a long night in the sim bay.

Don’t try to get ahead too early. Don’t start memorizing flows during week one unless you’ve already got your limitations and systems down cold. Focus on what’s in front of you - jumping too far ahead just leads to burnout and confusion.



Staying Focused

When you’re in ground school, do not go home if you don’t absolutely have to. That’s where a lot of people start slipping. Stay put, stay in the routine, and keep your head in the material. Once you start traveling or relaxing too much, it’s tough to get your focus back.

There’s usually a solid break between SIPs and SIMs: use that time to reset, get organised, and make sure all your flashcards and notes are updated. The schedule moves fast once SIMs start, and you’ll want to hit the ground running.



Final Thoughts

To sum it up, PSA training is tough but incredibly rewarding. I made it through without any repeats or fails, but that’s not the case for everyone - and that’s okay. Every class has a few people who need extra help during SIPs or SIMs, and PSA genuinely supports them. They’ll work with you and make sure you’re ready before sending you to your checkride.

This isn’t the PSA from 2017. The training department has been completely overhauled, and the instructors actually want you to succeed. I had nothing but great experiences with mine. The KV is still an oral checkride with an APE (Airline Pilot Examiner), so you’ve got to know your stuff, but if you study, you’ll be fine.

PSA produces solid and some of the best regional pilots and gives you a strong foundation for 121 flying. The training is demanding, the long hotel nights are stressful, and it’ll test your patience, but if you put in 110% and keep your motivation up, you’ll come out stronger on the other side.

When you’re sitting in that hotel room late at night staring at flows and call-outs thinking, “What did I get myself into?” -remember, everyone’s been there. Push through, stay in the books, and trust the process. You’ll walk out of CLT with your wings, a ton of new knowledge, and maybe a couple of gray hairs to prove it.
FYI all new hires get DAY as starting base but depending on class size most bid out prior to completion of training.