Mesaba Grounschool
 

I recently got hired with Mesaba and will be starting ground school in a few weeks! I was wondering if anyone who has been through it or a similar program has any words of advice. I did read through the Turbine Pilot’s Manual as well as the ATP written book. Is there anything else that I should do to be as prepared as possible?

Also, is there anything else that would be helpful for a first timer to know that might bite me in the butt? Basically, I’m looking for what not to do in ground school.

Mesaba
 

When did you get the call? Did you interview in MPLS?

I started CR9 ground school on 7/2 and Im done as of tomorrow. Don't go too crazy with anything before you come here because they have their own way of teaching you the things that you need to know. The first 2 weeks are indoc, CRM, general subjects and then a/c specific systems. What bird are you on?

i wouldn't worry too much about studying things ahead of time, they will give you all the materials you will need during class. thats good that you're studying things to brush up on them, just don't get burned out before coming to class and not want to study. just be prapared to not have much of a life during the week. you will wake up, go to class from 8-5 then have to come home, study a bit, then go to bed and repeat. but good luck!

Cessnadriver - How long ago did you interview? My interview is next week! Any good tips you care to share?

I interviewed in early June and was offered a class in the Saab 340.

As far as tips for the interview, get a good nights sleep, something that I didn't get to do because I didn't get to the hotel till close to midnight. The original plan was to arrive around 4pm, but I didn't realize that Mesaba will non-rev you to you're interview. If you are not familiar with this, essentially it means that you will fly standby and will probably not get there when you expect to. Therefore, when they give you you're flight time, try to get there plenty early in case they don't have room on the first few flights.

As far as the interview, study all the normal stuff, Jepp plates, ATP written etc. If you can get some sim time first, great. If you haven't already, check out willflyforfood.cc The interview description there was pretty much dead on.

I've got a Saab groundschool on Aug 27th... I've heard systems are a bit of a bastard... Is it pretty much just show up, work your a** off and you'll do alright or should I try to brush up on any general systems knowledge?

I actually got my packet today and changed my flight to the day before, to alleviate any chances of that happening. They had me on a flight at 6am out of DFW for a 12pm interview. I'd rather get in the day before and relax a little. Thanks for the tips.

"The original plan was to arrive around 4pm, but I didn't realize that Mesaba will non-rev you to you're interview. If you are not familiar with this, essentially it means that you will fly standby and will probably not get there when you expect to." Quote from previous post above.

Incorrect. Mesaba will positive space you, which is different from non-reving in the purest sense. Positive spacing is in a sense an actual assignment of a seat, where as non reving is listing for a flight, and being a low priority standby passenger. Code 5 i believe

I just got off the phone with NWA and I'm here to tell you they book you on non-rev standby. But we get a higher priority code (2).

curious, how many memory items does mesaba have on the CR9?

Thats exsactly what I did and I was so glad for it. I had to pay for 2 hotel nights out of my pocket (one the night before and one after so I wouldn't have to find a hotel in DTW). I stayed at the "country inn and suites" or something like that because it was the first of 4 on their list...mention "mesaba" and they'll give you $50 a night. Only thing within walking distance is a McDonalds and a gas station though.

Anyway, during my interview it was obvious which of us got in the night before and which ones barely made it. The lady that guided us through the interview process kind of picked on a few interviewees for their early morning "phone calls of desperation". One kid kept getting lost and called her repeatedly!

When I interviewed in March I was standby to MSP. My friend was as well and was bumped off his first flight although I do believe you will be a higher code.

At the interview--just be relaxed, knowledgeable and be yourself. They are looking for people who will fit in here. They know you are nervous so if you mess something up just go with it. Have some good stories about what you did when something went wrong or how you have dealt with problems in the past (not just in the air but personel issues). The sim is pretty much a joke, just a desktop model. They just want to see if you know how to hold altitude, brief an approach and keep the dirty side down.

As for training--there is a lot of info but it is presented very well. Before going I didn't do much studying. I enjoyed the few weeks prior and was focused when I got there. If you pay attention in class and spend an hour or two each night going over things you should do fine on indoc. Systems is a little confusing but not all that bad. Sim training is a little stressful but a lot of fun as well and they prepare you very well for the checkride. I just passed mine and am about to go back for FMS training and then on to IOE and I have to say it has been great training. After talking with people at other regionals I think Mesaba is really doing it right. Very nice people there as well, I don't think I have run into anyone who I haven't liked--a few I wouldn't spend time with outside of work but that is to be expected.

I didn't know the SAAB had an FMS..?

But thanks for the words of encouragement!

Yeah, it can't be used for approaches though.

Have fun in training

Interview flights = standby.
Flight to MSP for training = positive space.

I think folks were talking about 2 different things (or maybe my beer and fatigue are catching up with me).

Don't worry about training at Mesaba. The instructors are a very good group of people who want you to pass and succeed. Yes, you will have to work hard, but all the more reason to relax right up until training starts.

During ground school, try to make up flash cards to start memorizing your limitations and memory items. Otherwise, just keep pace with the ground school and don't get ahead of your self on anything else until it comes up. Don't worry about profiles (except just to glance at them, NOT memorize them) until the SIM is very very near in your future.

Remember to take study breaks, and take at least one weekend night off each week.

Good luck. Enjoy.