For all those who have completed RTP, what was your experience like? Would you do it again and what advice do you have for me? How was the work schedule once you finished training?




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For guys heading into the RTP I recommend trying to get as many different approaches as you can and lots of landings at different airports. If all you do is fly long legs with a single take off and landing, then you will build your time, but you will not be really preparing yourself to do well in training. Being able to concentrate on the flows and call outs because you have good stick skills and instrument procedures will make training much easier.

If you can get any of the quals you need before starting the RTP it will help things move along as you will not be waiting on a check ride. Get you SEL, MEL and instrument (and Commercial if you already have the hours) early if you can so you can get checked out in their aircraft and start flying.

The work schedule has been good since finishing training and getting off IOE. Guys assigned to the junior bases are getting build up lines within a month or two of finishing IOE and then round one a month or two later. Senior bases (CLT and TYS) take a bit longer. Reserve wasn't great, but compared to the way things were a few years ago, you are on reserve a very short amount of time. Once you hold a round one line, SAP is a game changer. You can pretty much get any days off you want and still have a good credit month.


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Looks like an IPAD is pretty essential to RTP. I would imagine it needs to have a cell data plan also for using it during cross country flights? Does PSA give you an IPAD in training? If so, do you still carry your own on trips?

 

It's nice to have, for sure. If you have to do your instrument ticket, it's definitely worth having so you don't have to lug around charts and plates. You want one with data capabilities because they have the real internal GPS, but you don't have to have data turned on to use it.

There are free alternatives to ForeFlight (90 day trials, etc), but as a previous user of ForeFlight none of them met my expectations. The Garmin app was probably my second favorite, but didn't work with my external gps.

When I was there this summer the company was not providing iPads.

 

Definitely get yourself an iPad Mini with 4g capability. The Cessna cockpit it just too small for anything larger. I second the use of ForeFlight. While it is expensive it gives you everything you could need. I really wish that the airlines used ForeFlight. The interface is just so user friendly.

 

Please consider using Jepp charts. The school should be able to print them out for you. If not, PSA should be able to. Start practicing with what you will really be using. PSA does not teach you how to use Jepp plates. It is a skill that you are expected to learn on your own as a professional airline pilot.

Foreflight is a great tool for general aviation, but unless you get the Jeppesen subscription (which is expensive), it is not going to help you in the long run.

If the school doesn't provide Jepp charts, and PSA won't help, I will be happy to send you PDF's of the airports that I have at nearby airports to PNS.

 

Great advice on using the Jepp plates during RTP and getting practice with them.

 

I have Logbook Pro and it took weeks to enter military flight info into it. Is it worth switching over to Log 10 Pro? Is there a way to import flight info from one to the other?

 

You can export out of Logbook pro and into Log 10 Pro if you want to make the change. Google it, there should be lots of descriptions on how to do it.

 

Any comments on AOPA insurance during RTP? I would imagine it's a good idea.