Hey guys. I just got hired as an FO flying a fleet of Learjets (31a, 45, 55). My class date is June 11, only a week away, at Simcom in Orlando. I have a couple of questions and any help or info is greatly appreciated!

1. The initial SIC for the Lear is shown as 13 days. Is that 13 days through the weekend or 13 week days? Is the training 24hr/day? Can't seem to find much in the way of specifics on the process. Trying to book the flights and hotel and not sure when to book the return.

2. Anyone with a similar experience have any stories? This will be my first time at a professional training facility such as this. Other than 141 school (MTSU both instructing and as student). I have 40 hours in the right seat of a BE20, but small aircraft other than that. Just curious as to what to expect. (1500total, 250multi)

3. Will they issue a high altitude endorsement during the training? It is listed as a prereq, but I don't yet have it and was told that it wasn't a big deal.

Thanks again for any help!

 

Not going to Jet ICU hopefully!!

 

Ha. Nope. It is a 135 charter based in MEM expanding to BNA. Just Simcom for training.

 

Not sure of the answer to question #1. I think you should have at least one day off somewhere in the middle. Don't worry, they should tell you what the schedule is SUPPOSED to be when you get there. Of course that could change somewhat while you're there.

Question #2: going to a school like this for the first time, you might feel overwhelmed at first, don't worry, it's normal. Just do what they say, study what they tell you to study, and you'll be fine. Cooperate and graduate.

Question #3: not sure about this. Just ask them about it when you get there, if you want. I have 8900 hours now, have been a jet captain for years, and I think somehow I never got that high altitude endorsement. Wouldn't worry about it. The instructors there are all great guys/gals, they will be more than happy to answer your questions when you get there.

 

I'm pretty sure the type rating covers the high altitude endorsement. You only need that for aircraft that don't require a type.

 

Oh so you are flying for AB? I don't know where you got the lear 45 thing from cause it is 31a 35 and 55! Your classes will be from 8-5 usually for the first week for ground school, then you sim will be 4 hours class then 4 hours sim. Everyday, including sat and sun. So you get to fork out the 10K for training eh? make sure you have the unlimited text plan for you phone.

 

Did my PC-12 Initial there last July. As far as training goes for my partner and I it was 7 days a week 6-8 hours a day for a week and a half.

As far is the High alt endorsement, we just asked if we could get it while we were doing our training and I'm pretty sure we got that handled at no extra cost. Great training experience 10/10 as far as my experience there went.

 

As for the high altitude endorsement, I've included the reg below from 61.31(g) if you want to look it up. Cliff notes version is that if you complete a 135 PIC checkride in a sim the high altitude endorsement is not required. The main reason being that 135 training programs for aircraft going higher than 25,000' are going to require all the training required for the high altitude endorsement.


(g) Additional training required for operating pressurized aircraft capable of operating at high altitudes. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of a pressurized aircraft (an aircraft that has a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 feet MSL), unless that person has received and logged ground training from an authorized instructor and obtained an endorsement in the person's logbook or training record from an authorized instructor who certifies the person has satisfactorily accomplished the ground training. The ground training must include at least the following subjects:

(i) High-altitude aerodynamics and meteorology;
(ii) Respiration;
(iii) Effects, symptoms, and causes of hypoxia and any other high-altitude sickness;
(iv) Duration of consciousness without supplemental oxygen;
(v) Effects of prolonged usage of supplemental oxygen;
(vi) Causes and effects of gas expansion and gas bubble formation;
(vii) Preventive measures for eliminating gas expansion, gas bubble formation, and high-altitude sickness;
(viii) Physical phenomena and incidents of decompression; and
(ix) Any other physiological aspects of high-altitude flight.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of a pressurized aircraft unless that person has received and logged training from an authorized instructor in a pressurized aircraft, or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a pressurized aircraft, and obtained an endorsement in the person's logbook or training record from an authorized instructor who found the person proficient in the operation of a pressurized aircraft. The flight training must include at least the following subjects:

(i) Normal cruise flight operations while operating above 25,000 feet MSL;
(ii) Proper emergency procedures for simulated rapid decompression without actually depressurizing the aircraft; and
(iii) Emergency descent procedures.

(3) The training and endorsement required by paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this section are not required if that person can document satisfactory accomplishment of any of the following in a pressurized aircraft, or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a pressurized aircraft:

(iv) Completing a pilot-in-command proficiency check under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter conducted by the Administrator or by an approved pilot check airman.