Why do folks fail training? Being this is my first 121 job, and I am a low time CFI doing the airman trainee program, I want to be sure I focus on the proper things during my time building. Being much older also has me nervous, too. Is it the sim that trips people up or just not studying the training materials? Thanks.

 

I don't work with new hires initially but what will help you succeed in the sim is good situational awareness and IFR skills. You need to study the profiles and call-outs and emergency situations so you can fly the sim well. Lots of chair flying. When I trained, my sim partner and I taped our posters to the hotel wall and went over profiles, call outs etc pretty much every day and studied memory items, limitations and systems. If we have to teach you about pitch-power and airspeed, scan and how to figure out where you are on an approach, you will struggle.

It's about knowing what to study and when. Find a good study partner or group and work hard and you will do fine.

 

In my experience, we have a pretty great training program for new hires. Instructors are attentive and there to help you succeed. During ground school, I'd recommend studying in groups. Ask questions in class and make sure you understand a concept prior to moving forward. A lot gets built on top of what you are taught so ignoring a weak area will bite you later on. As someone previously said, don't look at the bonuses as Air Wisconsin being desperate enough to lower our standards. One of the best aspects of working for this company is flying with some fantastic, well-trained, pilots. Those who did not pass initial training (during my new hire class) expected to be spoon-fed information. One guy showed up completely unprepared for Cockpit Procedures Training (CPT) even though we were given two weeks off to study. Stuff like that will lessen the likelihood of a successful training experience. During sim training, you might get the chance to sit in and observe your fellow classmates during their sim session. I highly recommend doing this since you'd be able to watch the procedures and make note of common errors that other students may have. Study, work together, ask questions, come to class prepared, and participate in exercises. Do that and you'll be on reserve collecting bonus checks in no time I've been here since the summer of 2015 and if I had to do it all over, I'd still pick Air Wisconsin.

 

Agreed. And to echo the part about great instructors, I would say that most of ours go the extra mile and do it because they enjoy it. Are there bad apples? Yes occasionally, but I have seen numerous times where they will meet with you on their own time to help you prepare. A lot of the study guides are made by instructors on their own time to help you. They want you to succeed but they will hold you accountable to the standard. Which, as was mentioned, makes Air Willy a great place to work.

 

Thanks for the info. It just seems like I will be so unprepared coming from teaching in a 172 to flying a jet. Is there anything I can do before training that will help? I've read folks practice approaches on a PC. I have always worked hard in school and at work, so I know I will be prepared for the ground, but it is the sim that worries me.

 

You and everyone else, dont sweat it. Just stay engaged in class and everything will fall into place. I dont know if its still done but every night you get a packet of homework to do. Its not mandatory but I HIGHLY recommend it. Let the homework be your guide. I know you feel the need to get started studying right this minute but dont do any more than youre told at this point. Not good to show up to class burned out or worse have studied something incorrectly and have to battle with the law of primacy.

As far as the sim goes itll be a lot like flying a traffic pattern. The better you are at memorizing your call outs and flows before you start CPT, the more time youll have in the sim for approaches and other work.

 

When you get on ioe or the line for that matter, just fly the plane like anything else. Look out the window and don't forget to flare.

 

That's the same route I took to the airlines. I used my schools simulator to freshen up on IFR flying.

I managed to pass training and other than Billho I'm about the dumbest guy here.

Just study, and you'll do fine.

 

Thanks for the advice. See you guys on the line in the future.

 

You will be behind the plane at first, no doubt about it- everybody is. Practice the call-outs and flows until you can do them in your sleep. Do them with your SIM partner while the TV is blaring and you are tossing a ball back land forth- use distractions.
Do the homework, feed yourself, and then get together with your classmates for group study. This will help immensely and the instructors will take notice too, so if you're struggling with anything they know it's not from lack of effort.
Good luck