How do people wash out of airline training?
 

I'm a CFI with about 1000 hours. A recent co worker of mine washed out of airline training at the regionals. Now I'm worried I may not be ready when I get to 1500. I'm not a CFII but I hear that getting one would help. Part of me thinks I should go to planesense or tradewinds to build IFR skills and further my experience to prepare for airline training at the regionals.


How can I be sure that I'll be ready for airline training?

Man, you surely don’t need to go to a 135 carrier to prep you for airline training. Why did your buddy wash out? I know many who have made the transition to airline flying without having a CFII or going 135.

To be honest, my recommendation in making it through is really to study your butt off, know your procedures, flows, and call outs before Sim training. Know your limitations and immediate action items 100 percent and have a good 80 percent of your systems down.

Airline training is tough, it’s a marathon. It takes work outside of the classroom setting. But ya can get through it.


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Flows and call outs takes time to get used to, not the IFR stuff. Going from 1 crew to 2 crew is a completely different world. Know what you're supposed to do in what situation of flight, what call out, etc. FMS is a new one, but really simple.

IFR should be least of your worries if you're an average pilot.

The trick to not washing out is to try to stay ahead of the game, and only learn what is being taught. Don’t be the guy who memorizes the systems manual, but doesn’t know the flows.

A 1500-hour CFI is not going to get "more ready" by getting more CFI time. After that point, you continue to to learn more about GA and instructing, but probably already have a grasp of the fundamentals which you'll build on in 121. The only way to get more ready as a CFI would be to do 135, or maybe a turbine 91 job. But depending on the outfit and plane, 135 could easily be harder than 121.

Here are some success predictors from my observations:

Age 25-45
Degree (technical is better)
Good Attitude
People skills/non-aviation employment experience
Athletic (or was in school)

These are by no means requirements, and plenty of folks who don't fit any of that do just fine, but if you deviate from many or all of these you might be more at a risk in noob 121 training.



The fastest way to flunk is attitude...

- Uncooperative/Un-receptive (cooperate to graduate)
- Easily overwhelmed, won't kick himself in the arse when needed
- Assumes he has "arrived" and is too busy reveling in the moment to work hard (plan on reveling in the moment towards the end of IOE, not before).
- Unable to comprehend that his previous study habits/skills are woefully inadequate. Unless you've done intense military training or an engineering degree, 121 is going to be a step up.

These apply: Cooperate to Graduate. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

That said some people just cannot handle the complexity. If you mostly breezed through GA training and your peers would say you're above average then you should be fine in that regard.

I just finished training at a regional last week. And just completed IOE. Great advice listed so far. I was a 1500 hour instructor (both 61/141) and had about 30 hours of turbine experience (not logable) from a mentor prior to training. Attitude is everything. Everyone has different experiences (flying and non flying) that can help and hurt them. Be a sponge and follow the airlines training footprint.

Focus on what you’re learning each week in training, it’s okay to look ahead but in any AQP program it’s stage by stage. If you’re in systems, learn them and learn them well. If you’re in procedures, focus hard on procedures, etc. Having a great attitude is a big part of it. I found that sticking to a schedule religiously helped. But don’t forget to spend some time to relax as well.

The areas where I saw people having issues was attitude, thinking that the program should be run differently or that “at my old carrier this is how it was done” beliefs. Thinking the airline will spoon feed you is not an accurate assumption. Going to a turbine or Part 135 carrier may help, but I would go to the fastest route towards 121. Sure knowing a bunch of instrument stuff can help, but it’s not going to put you that much ahead. My sim partner was a Blackhawk pilot with 0 glass time, and the absolute bare fixed wings mins required. He passed training with no failures and set backs what so ever. Was it easy for him? No. But it’s more than doable. If you have good airmanship skills, can interact well with people, and know how to study you will be fine. Most airlines give you access to literally every training resource you will need on day one. Learning how to use the resources appropriately will help you tremendously.

I’m going to take a slightly different road.
Do not underestimate the importance of IFR experience.
As a CFII or otherwise.
The sim at a 121 Traning center is not the place to find out you have no skills and you can’t handful an ILS.
Definitely get some real world IFR experience, preferably multi crew.

Not everyone is cutout to be a pilot. Some people are just too slow in the head, or dumbasses who don't study, or have mental blocks to studying. Some people can't do the sim without getting very motion sick every time. You need confidence too.

Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to get my CFII for added experience and then go to the regionals once I hit 1500. I'm always studying, even on my days off from instructing. I'm obsessed and determined to be better and will do whatever it takes to become a better pilot. So when the time comes for airline training, I plan on working twice as hard.

With this attitude I think you’ll do well! As long as your fundamentals are good, it’s mostly about attitude.