Notices
Regional Regional Airlines

Difficulty of the job

Old 09-01-2007 | 07:22 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
Default Difficulty of the job

Question:

From a technical and piloting standpoint, how difficult is it being a professional 121 (0r 135) pilot? Just all the regulations by themselves make my head spin. I look at all the complicated aircraft systems, complicated company procedures, and aalllllllll the other stuff pilots need to know. For me doing single pilot IFR makes me crazy. How do you guys do it? How do you learn and remember all the crap you need to know on top of basic piloting skill and decision making???
Reply
Old 09-01-2007 | 07:26 PM
  #2  
Diver Driver's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 0
From: Tiki bar
Default

Originally Posted by MikeB525
How do you learn and remember all the crap you need to know on top of basic piloting skill and decision making???
Lots and lots of studying, coupled with many hours on a CPT/'paper tiger', sim and having no life of course.

Mainly just practicing over and over your flows, procedures, callouts, etc, until you can do them in your sleep. Same goes for memory items and limitations... just know them cold, period.
Reply
Old 09-01-2007 | 07:40 PM
  #3  
RedBaron007's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
From: E-190 Leftist
Default

Originally Posted by MikeB525
Question:

From a technical and piloting standpoint, how difficult is it being a professional 121 (0r 135) pilot? Just all the regulations by themselves make my head spin. I look at all the complicated aircraft systems, complicated company procedures, and aalllllllll the other stuff pilots need to know. For me doing single pilot IFR makes me crazy. How do you guys do it? How do you learn and remember all the crap you need to know on top of basic piloting skill and decision making???
From what I can tell...single pilot IFR is going to be the hardest flying you could possibly do. A lil studying and common sense take care of the rest.
Reply
Old 09-01-2007 | 07:53 PM
  #4  
TXTECHKA's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
Default

Experience is what prepares you to be a safe, professional pilot more than anything else in my opinion. Single pilot IFR is a good way to get that experience, as well as flight instructing. Studying is necessary also.
Reply
Old 09-01-2007 | 09:20 PM
  #5  
Blkflyer's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 0
From: Cessna 152 Captain
Default

Originally Posted by TXTECHKA
Experience is what prepares you to be a safe, professional pilot more than anything else in my opinion. Single pilot IFR is a good way to get that experience, as well as flight instructing. Studying is necessary also.

From the looks these days all you need is Tons of Money to spend at one of the pilot mills and you are set to go fly a jet.......MAPD would love to have you
Reply
Old 09-01-2007 | 09:42 PM
  #6  
soon2bfo's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Right Seat... Forever
Default

The job is easy. (Just don't tell anybody else that)!

It is everything else that comes with it that makes it hard.
Reply
Old 09-01-2007 | 10:25 PM
  #7  
de727ups's Avatar
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 0
From: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
Default

I had a coworker tell me the other day that single pilot IFR is unsafe. I guess you can only go up from there...

To answer your qestion, you learn to prioritize. Yeah, there is a crapload to know to be a 121 Capt. On the day of your oral, you probably know half of it. Six months later is kinda scary. But you get out there and get the job done day in and day out, and things just kinda fall into place.

For myself, you learn to not sweat the small stuff. Prioritize.....
Reply
Old 09-02-2007 | 06:25 AM
  #8  
saab2000's Avatar
Line Holder
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,755
Likes: 6
Default

One step at a time. Flying an airliner is easy once the task of getting the job is finished. Training is hard.

Remember, airliners are flown generally with reliable autopilots, two sets of eyes, FMS for navigation, ATC tells us what to do in the terminal area, etc. Push buttons and that's about it for the job.

Getting it is the hard part. Doing it is the easy part.
Reply
Old 09-02-2007 | 06:43 AM
  #9  
Banned
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,929
Likes: 0
From: A-320
Default

Originally Posted by MikeB525
Question:

From a technical and piloting standpoint, how difficult is it being a professional 121 (0r 135) pilot? Just all the regulations by themselves make my head spin. I look at all the complicated aircraft systems, complicated company procedures, and aalllllllll the other stuff pilots need to know. For me doing single pilot IFR makes me crazy. How do you guys do it? How do you learn and remember all the crap you need to know on top of basic piloting skill and decision making???
Its a crew, You look out for your partner, he/she will look out for you. The hardest part is being able to feed yourself he 1st year.......... A year or two on the A/C the systems knowledge will get a lot easier, regs and what not, I dont think anybody knows em all, except for Johnny & Martha.........
Reply
Old 09-02-2007 | 07:37 AM
  #10  
SlingAir's Avatar
Long Call
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: MD88
Default

Not overly difficult, just stay sharp, complacency can consume you. If you have a 2+ hour leg, whip out the ol FOM, and read a bit. Just a tip passed on to me from an old TWA guy, and now I pass it on to you.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Laxrox43
Cargo
77
06-05-2008 08:28 AM
MartyMcFly
Flight Schools and Training
8
04-08-2008 05:40 PM
maximaman
Hangar Talk
5
08-12-2007 05:25 AM
FlyArmy11
Hiring News
0
08-03-2007 10:42 AM
Realistic
JetBlue
11
05-12-2005 02:13 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices