Thoughts on 1st time Captain in the A320...
 

...even if you have never flown an Airbus. Has anyone done this? Is it a difficult transition from a Boeing product? Thoughts? Thanks.

Easiest training I have done. Came from CRJ

Just went thru in March. I came from the right seat in the Bus but all the other A's were coming off 7ER, 73, 717..no worries..they know how to teach first time FiFi drivers! Good luck..CG

Just have to stop talking and thinking Boeing, take your time on the FMS, and its a great hand flying aircraft. Best instrument platform I have had the pleasure of using. The guys that say "on the Boeing we did this" have a hard time. If you are a rsv guy it will take about 2 years to fully get it, line holder about a year.

What about the radar...heard stories about it...are there some good hacks or are they putting in 321 radars soon?

Agree. Takes about a year to wrap your head around it when flying often.

I think anyone can pass the type ride with adequate training. I wouldn't want to be a new CA on the plane with 4 months on it with some strange abnormal. Odds are it doesn't happen, but that's when in my estimation things get a little hairy on it.

It's a good radar on the 319/320. A bit over senestive at times but gives you good situational awareness. Don't use MAN in the terminal area. MAN works good at cruise/long range and will paint ice crystals, overhang etc.

I've only flown the 321 a few times but it seems to be a turn it on and don't mess with it much system. It's very good.

I checked out on a 330 after 25 years on mostly BA. Mid 50's. Not a big problem if you get out and fly. Don't do it and sit reserve. I've seen that and it's not pretty. Biggest obstacle was the culture at the time, I was told the 330 community were literalists, I put a capital C in front and almost got divorced.

One thing to remember about the Airbus:

1) whatever you flew before... this ain't it.

The more you wipe the slate clean the easier things sink in. There is a Boeing to Airbus transition PDF on the Airbus A320 reference material side of deltanet. Take a look.

And youtube the thing, there are a ton of videos from how to do an O2 mask check to what the rat looks like when it drops to that alpha protection stuff to V1 cut and everything in between.

I have heard from new Airbus drivers that this video offers very good advice for the transition:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ky-uzsw0kqw

;)