Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Major > Delta
Thoughts on 1st time Captain in the A320... >

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

Search

Notices

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-08-2017 | 11:38 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Line Holder
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
Default 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.
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 12:28 PM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Default

Easiest training I have done. Came from CRJ
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 12:33 PM
  #3  
CGfalconHerc's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 560
Likes: 0
From: DAL A320 CA
Default

Originally Posted by bull
...even if you have never flown an Airbus. Has anyone done this? Is it a difficult transition from a Boeing product? Thoughts? Thanks.
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
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 01:02 PM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 0
Default

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.
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 02:30 PM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by iceman49
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?
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 02:33 PM
  #6  
Line Holder
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 5
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by iceman49
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.
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.
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 04:17 PM
  #7  
qball's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 1
From: Cockpit speaker volume knob set to eleven.
Default

Originally Posted by LandGreen2
What about the radar...heard stories about it...are there some good hacks or are they putting in 321 radars soon?
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.
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 05:50 PM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 0
From: Power top
Default

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.
Reply
Old 05-08-2017 | 06:15 PM
  #9  
forgot to bid's Avatar
veut gagner à la loterie
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,286
Likes: 0
From: Light Chop
Default

Originally Posted by bull
...even if you have never flown an Airbus. Has anyone done this? Is it a difficult transition from a Boeing product? Thoughts? Thanks.
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.
Reply
Old 05-09-2017 | 03:29 PM
  #10  
Line Holder
 
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,866
Likes: 0
From: Left
Default

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


Last edited by David Puddy; 05-09-2017 at 03:44 PM.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KennyG1700
Flight Schools and Training
40
08-01-2019 12:53 AM
Protrident
Career Questions
4
12-13-2011 06:01 PM
Redeye Pilot
United
6
10-17-2010 08:07 AM
Longbow64
Part 135
117
07-23-2009 08:46 AM
daytonaflyer
Regional
17
01-13-2006 09:43 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



Your Privacy Choices