CRJ Systems Training?
 

I was wondering what everyone's thoughts are on taking a systems training program. I'm thinking of this as not only a way to get into the game a bit earlier, but also an opportunity to better learn the systems of the aircraft and know the airplane better once I would get hired. I understand the lowered minimums are a contentious subject, and respect everyone's opinions on them. While I understand that getting into the business too early while I'm still inexperienced is a risk, there's also the risk of being behind the ball while everyone else is getting their f/o slot and I'm still flight instructing (not that that wouldn't be a valuable experience too, but not as aggressive a career move). Anyway, the more specific questions:

1. Is there anybody on here who's done the training? What're your thoughts?

2. Does it look bad just doing the systems training while not having done it as part of college? I'm doing flying separately from my college degree, so I have something to use as a backup. Is the training then looked at differently than if it were gotten while someone was getting an aviation degree?

3. Is it too restrictive to only get CRJ systems training? The regionals I'm most interested in have the CRJs in their fleets, so that's how I chose that aircraft.

4. Does anybody have anything else to say about getting the systems training?

5. Is there a particular place anyone would recommend for doing this training? I see that ATP and PanAm Academy both have programs (that seem to be vastly different), but I thought there might be some others out there.

I'll bet you could find somebody from the airline that you want to get into that can sit with you a bit.

Waste of Cash.


When you get hired by an airline they will tell you what they want you to know. Different operators will operate the same aircraft differently and may have different limitations.

If you want to learn about the systems ask around and someone can get you a study guide on the CRJ or ERJ from wherever they work at.

Save your money.

The CRJ is not a difficult aircraft from a systems perspective, as long as you understand transport category systems. If not, you can buy a book off Amazon for $20 that'll give you the basics, and any half-ass airline ground school instructor can fill in the specific blanks.

I'll tutor you on CRJ systems to your heart's content for $50/hr; after 10-15 hours you'll be able to pass any 121 systems oral and you'll have saved a boatload of cash, even compared to the PanAm course.

A young friend that has about 700+ and 100 multi got an interview because he took a system training course. He said they are interviewing with 500+ and 50 multi if you took the sys coure. I will find more info for you.

Folks are hiring now with 500/50 without a systems course...

waste of money.. When I went thru CRJ school in Montreal back in 1998 they did it all on CBT's and it was a cake walk.. I doubt whether in today's 500TT 50 multi environment that you'll need any kind of edge to get into a class and have them pay for your training.

Some thoughts
 

RedBarron,

• I am sure there are lots here that have done the training and many that have not. We can let them all chime in.
• It does not look bad doing systems training separately from college courses, many pilots and interviewers like to see a varied background in candidates. It is always good to have a backup in this industry so a different degree than aviation can be a good thing. The question I think you are really asking is “should I do a jet training program” Well. I’m not sure. Let’s find out if it would benefit you but first we would need some more information about you. What are your hours, where did you get your flight training, was it structured, what is your educational background?
• It is not to restrictive to get jet training based on an airplane but I feel that for you to really get the most you should be taught advanced systems based on an aircraft but general enough to demonstrate the basics and fundamentals of how those systems operate in any jet.
• Yes. These types of courses are not for just anyone. Many pilots say don’t do this type of course because “the airline will teach you everything you need to know” well if that were true then the airlines would not have any minimums and there would be no reason for the legacy airlines and major cargo airlines to have such a competitive market for pilots. The fact is that airlines do a great job of teaching new hires about their operation, the aircraft, and the company SOP. Many pilots say these type of courses are not needed because they made it and didn’t have this training. Well when many of us were hired the minimums were at 1000+ hours and most pilots had 1500+. That’s a big difference depending on your background.

Here is what I think, just me. If you are a very low time pilot 300-800 hours then you might benefit from one of these courses. Do some research. You want to find out who teaches the classes, who hires the students, who set the standards, and what is the cost. I feel as a low time pilot a well planned and organized advanced jet program can teach a pilot how to learn. It can demonstrate the fast pace of training and allow the pilot to adapt their study habits to be successful in such a accelerated training cycle. Also, this give the pilot a good working knowledge of the basics of jet systems, operations, and automation. When you show up at the airline you can understand the classes better and be a more effective first officer.

Now if you have 800-1500 hours then maybe you are not a good candidate for this class. Its really not up to me to make that judgment. You need to compare your training experience to the expectation of airline training and make a responsible choice.

Many pilots feel as if getting hired and passing your type ride is the end of airline training. We carry people, lots of people. Those include moms, brothers, sisters, and grandparents. It would not be the attitude of a responsible pilot to stop learning just because they have the bare minimum knowledge to pass a check ride. Even if you are in a 777 its not time to stop learning. I don’t know everything about flying and that’s why I study and continue to learn more and enjoy doing so. NOONE knows it all.

You have to see where you fit in. Not all programs are good and not all companies will have your best interest in mind. Be sure to look at the big picture and see if the course has a good tract record, is affordable, and use good common sense. Now I don’t know if I answered your question but I hope you will be able to answer it better yourself after looking at your training background and your goals.

One other thing, these courses should not be done just to get an interview. That would be an expensive interview. Thses courses should be done for the resons stated above, to be better prepared and more proficient as a pilot and to reduce the chance of failure for a lowere time pilot while allowing them to be a more effective first officer. If the program has an additional benefit of an interview well then thats ok.

Good Luck

I'd probably skip the opportunity to attend an aircraft specific training course on my own dime. Part 121 carriers are required to provide you with initial training on a specific aircraft, so I always like to let them pay for it.

I think it's a good idea for any pilot to continuously improve their professional credential, that said, it doesn't have to cost anything. If you're looking to study systems I would concentrate on general concepts instead of aircraft specific installations of the systems.

If you showed up on day one of training and had a good working knowledge of generic electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems as installed in transport category aircraft you'd be fine.

The biggest problem I see studying a specific aircraft is that you're betting you'll be hired by a company that operates that aircraft. I'm sure there would be transfer of knowledge in terms of theory going through such a school, but I would suggest trying to be a generalist on the concept of systems and not a specialist on a specific airframe.

I agree with HSLD in the sense that I would love to see airlines pick up the check for this sort of training since they have such a poor pay scale in the early years it would be good to have an airline Provide this training through approved sources to pilots that have passed a screening. Other wise these pilots would be making an income as CFIs and getting the experience that way.

Who knows, maybe we can make this happen