Online Captain Upgrade!?
 

Ya'll,

I want feedback from CURRENT 121 pilots in regard to the possibility of a ONLINE Upgrade programs, who is doing it (if anyone), and the Pro's/Con's....
The regional I work for is getting ready to implement Online Training programs, most likely INCLUDING Upgrade. Obviously the sim training would be extra, but we're currently only given 3 sim sessions for Upgrade.

Constructive would be nice.
:-)

I dont see why not.. Most of the time spent in ground school is a waste of time anyway.

Add some extra sim sessions instead of GS.

Ask Compass guys

Speaking of CBT??

is Microsoft Flight Sim involved?

With all of the scrutiny currently on regional airline training programs, I doubt upgrade training would be done online anywhere. My airline does a portion of recurrent ground training online, but that's about it.

We're talking about just 'ground training' here, right? While MS flightsim and X-plane are advanced, they're not up to the levels necessary for evaluation training when run on a standard consumer PC. Would the company ship you a yoke and software as part of your training package?:confused:

Who is doing it? Don't know that one.

Pros:

• cheap for the company
• standardized (no variation of instructor ability or individual classroom discussion)
• easily managed and controled dissemination of information

Cons:

• requires computer and internet access (what if pilot doesn't have a computer or internet access @ home if training is done out of base - yes, this is a legit issue for current 121 pilots, though perhaps not many regional FO's)
• lack of follow-up discussion of topics requiring additional explanation
• inability to monitor individual knowledge weaknesses of pilots
• lack of face-to-face interaction, the most effective learning technique (science based). CRM is perhaps one of the most important issues in airline flightdecks today - how do you teach CRM without personal interaction?
• security concerns (as previously mentioned)
• Most importantly, no ability to verify who actually sat for the training and evaluations (any 6 year old could sit in front of a computer and click through powerpoint slides, and a 'ringer' could be brought in to take the evaluations if done on-line off site)

The most effective training is done face to face. The interaction between humans is part of the natural learning process.

What is learned in ground school is often a reflection upon the quality of the instruction program, the ability and knowledge of the instructor, and the professionalism of the pilots in attendance; if any one of the 3 components is lacking, the end product, increased pilot knowledge, is compromised.

Captain training in particular would be the last course I'd want to see go on-line. The additional responsibilities of being the PIC are often interpersonal and varied, particularly in passenger service, where the PIC is expected to command a crew, not just another pilot or two. These types of difficulties are best taught, and more importantly, evaluated, in person.

SKW sends upgrades through the ENTIRE aircraft ground and sim program, just like someone new to the airplane.

A little overkill? Maybe, maybe not but better safe than sorry.

A short upgrade class for those already in the right seat of the same airplane is one thing, but ONLINE??? That's ludicrous.

Mesa does a portion of their recurrent GS on line. Only Basic Indoc and Hazmat are online (and then some of the BI is covered in class). I'm all for doing more at home if it can minimize the time spent in the classroom. A lot of the information we covered in RGS (I just did it 3 weeks ago) is very redundant and I thought it was a waste of time. (Now remember we are talking about the way my RGS was, versus what it is supposed to be.... but mine was a waste of time).

I don't see any problems with doing it at home. I know DAL does a lot of their training at home. However, my personal opinion is I'd rather just go into the classroom and get it all done. If I have to go all the way to PHX to do it, I'd rather do all of it there than spend my personal time doing it at home or on a layover.

Hi!

It depends on the software. If the software is great, the training will be great. If the software is crap...

"The most effective training is done face to face. The interaction between humans is part of the natural learning process."
Not true...Great software will be WAY better training, than face-to-face with a crap instructor and/or crap course materials.

cliff
NBO