FADECS

Ok, since you guys are discussing the finer points of AQP (what's that Eicas message mean) verses the Traditional (how many coils on a PMA) styles of learning at FedEx what do you really think is the best method for us young whipper snappers to learn the things we need to know to manage the aircraft in a professional way?

Last year my airline trained us all the traditional way, very intensive systems training and very extensive oral on every nut and bolt. This year we have converted to the AQP way of training. I'm very interested in your opinions on the quality of pilots you have observed coming from each type of training system and what's the best/safest.

I've had the honor to observe not only FedExs new hire training systems on the 777 & the MD-11, but also Delta, American, United's and JetBlues new hire programs and all are getting quite heavy on the AQP side (ie managing the aircraft & computers). AA actually began using AQP back in 1992. JetBlue is AQP all the way a gentleman's course. At United it is pretty well balanced between managing the aircraft and systems knowledge, while Delta seems to be much heavier on the traditional side, albeit calling it AQP...Delta even goes so far as to provide their new hires with a booklet on exactly what systems knowledge they will be held accountable for to eliminate any 3rd party gouge or non standard expectations from different instructors, lol...I'm sure we have all had the 1000 year old instructor asking us the finer points of coils on the permanant magnetic alternator on the generator....

What I'm really looking for is what training system makes a better pilot?

Is a system that we learn to manage the computers/lights & know exactly what we need to fly a safe trip with perhaps our own personal pride on the line to learn systems well on our own time the best????
OR
Is the traditional learn the gnats ass of every moving part in the airplane in class with less time spent on procedures/Eicas messages better for us as pilots????

Teach me oh wise grasshoppers

FADECS

Ok, one other addition about amazingly knowledgable instructors.

Atlas Air is currently a very traditional systems heavy training program where you are literally handed Volume 2 and told you can ask questions in the classroom. If no one has any questions in class for the moderator, then class is over. You literally teach yourself all the systems from the book with a few CBTs along the way and a big oral before your check ride.

There is no official syllabus or curricula broken into chunks to spoon feed new hires in class. If you are not self motivated to learn you will drown. However for those willing to learn the instructors are amazingly awesome, they will sit down with you, spend any extra time you need to understand something and are extremely motivated even after being at the training center on and off in Miami for 18 plus years.

Atlas Air will be switching to the AQP style of training this year according to their director of training.

Will this help Atlas produce better pilots?

Or is AQP only a way for the airlines/companies to save money on training us and hope we all just learn the meaty stuff in systems on our own?

Very curious! Btw Boeing Bum has a great point!

FDXLAG

The complaints about AQP are not the course content, it is the intent to only learn that we are not teaching a subject adequately by letting someone fail. I personally prefer the nuns with rulers method of instruction.