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Originally Posted by sailingfun
(Post 1417684)
There was a actual shortage of pilots from about 66 to 69. Some airlines hired almost zero time pilots.
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Originally Posted by RhinoPherret
(Post 1417698)
I didn’t know back then there would come a day when jets would not need a FE. Funny, I know.
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Originally Posted by RedeyeAV8r
(Post 1417704)
That is because many pilots were busy dropping Bombs or spraying Agent orange in SEA during that time. :cool:
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Originally Posted by Bucking Bar
(Post 1417678)
Red Eye,
Your report is correct. My father still places his feet on the floor in my Bonanza and tells me more than my 6CYL EGT/CHT/Fuel Computer can about the engine's health. Guess the skills that help you find which of 144 spark plugs is misfiring never completely go away. |
Bucking Bar:
That is always still impressive to me when I come across those few folks like your father that developed those skills to such a fine degree regarding engine performance and can tanslate them to about any type of engine just by feel and sound. |
Originally Posted by RedeyeAV8r
(Post 1417704)
That is because many pilots were busy dropping Bombs or spraying Agent orange in SEA during that time. :cool:
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Originally Posted by Outsider
(Post 1417584)
I figured I'd better ask this pretty soon because before long there won't be many who could answer it.
Back in the later 60's I was a new CFI and of course we were always trying to figure out what hiring was going on at the airlines. But of course there was no internet and info was very difficult to come by. There was a story about TWA during at least part of the time that it was being run by Howard Hughes. It went like this; you hired on as an FE (as usual) then if and when you put in about 2 years (don't remember the exact amount but it was very short especially when compared to Pan Am which around this time it was typical to sit sideways for 7-9 yrs) and kept your nose clean you could take the oral and practical to become a FO. If you passed you were an FO, if you failed you were out, like out of the company. Same went for the move from right to left seat. Consequently there were some of the youngest Captains and oldest FE's in the airlines. Does any body know if there is or was any truth or partial truth to this story. I've always been curious. The best person to ask is Barry Schiff in which was a long time TWA pilot beginning in the early 60's from a civilian background. I had the opportunity to meet him while in high school in the mid 70's. My instructor for the private pilot ground was a TWA flight engineer on the 727 at the time, he was hired in 69 from a military background. Pan Am had about 4 or 5 positions in their cockpits in which carried over from the piston days. The piston airliners required a PFE with a A&P because of the unreliable operation of piston equipment. Many of the airlines training programs were long and thorough compared to todays short and learn on the road. 8 to 12 or 13 weeks worth. It is also worth noting many airline personnel from the 60's and 70s were allowed to move into pilot positions from ground positions. I know a few, TWA wasn't exclusive! |
Originally Posted by Bucking Bar
(Post 1417679)
United was briefly hiring Private Pilots and training them, 1966 or 67, I think.
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I knew a guy who started out as a mechanic and worked his way to Concord captain. On one of his last Concord flights he was chased by a cruise missile. I think his name was Joe Patronie.
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Originally Posted by SpecialTracking
(Post 1417746)
The Tracy Aces.
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