Hello I am a current aviation student at the University of North Dakota. One of my instructors is having me ask airline pilots a few questions regarding their jobs. Anyone who is able to answer i would greatly appreciate it.

1. Can you briefly describe the types of training you received from the first day you showed up at your current company until you were fully line qualified?

2. What was the most challenging part of your training and how did you overcome those challenges?

3. At your airline, what happens if a pilot experiences problems with their recurrent checkrides or other checking events?

4. Do you have any advice for me regarding how to best prepare for training when I start my airline career?

I think you or someone else at UND has postd the same questions before. Try doing a search. In brief reply;

Read 14 CFR 121 Subpart N, O and Y. These start at regulations 121.400 thru 121.9xx. Most Part 121 airlines are doing AQP Training now, which is described in FAA Advisory Circular 120-54.

If someone has training difficulties, the training program is flexible (to a point) to help provide extra training in defficient knowledge or skill areas. There are pathways for requalification if needed (long absence due to illness or military leave, etc.)

I would start now by developing excellent study habits. Make flash cards for those items that need to be comitted to memory, such as limitations, immediate action items, etc. Find a “study buddy” or small study group to “quiz” each other. Also “chair fly” all the profiles and procedures before you get in the simulator. You should know all the callouts and procedures Before the first Sim session.

Relax, the airline’s training program has been reviewed and approved by the FAA, which means that it meets the minimum requirements of the regulations. Most airline training programs go “above and beyond” the minumum training requirements.

Good luck to you Sir!