Given the problems that folks have when training on the 170, quite a bit. The flight guidance panel can often be confusing and difficult to use. A fair amount of our training involves both traditional 'hand flying' and 'button pushing' at the same time...throw in company standards about who does what and when, and it gets tricky at times.

As that old TV commercial used to say, "It's not your father's Oldsmobile!".

The first couple of rides in our syllabus tend to be quite a 'reality check' for some. At the end of those two periods, most understand that this program is not going to be the cake walk that they had imagined.

I am surprised to hear that. I mean p/b/d is not a difficult concept. That really amazes me that peops are having trouble. Not enough studying or prep perhaps?

Maybe inexperience.

Good thread - Thanks Shack for sharing your insights...I now understand why my last CFI had been at it for 6 years. I don't think he had it in him to take that next step and leave his comfort zone behind...Its a shame really - looking back anything out of the ordinary and he would start to freak out and take control...I was more relaxed and learned more on my solo flights in the KSAC , yolo county, and sac international areas.


-LAFF

WHat does pay have to do with this thread.

This is a great thread. Please dont ruin it by starting into the whole pay thing.This is about operations and nothing else.Keep up the good thread, and ignore the negativity

Anytime now Skyhigh will show up and give his 2 cents worth on line flying and 121 training...One thing is certain - it will be entertaining...

-LAFF

If you mean 'point/bearing/distance' as a concept, I agree. But that concept is about 1% of using the FMS.

Most FMS difficulties come from lack of experience.

My background was flying navajos and metros, no automation what so ever and it took me about 1 hour in the sim to learn most of what I needed to know(aboutthe fms). These guys probably aren't apllying themselves. :eek:

Sorry, I just had to say this
 

That was my thought exactly when this all first started. Now,Im gonna shut up and let the people who need this info get it.

This tells me two things.

You either have the steepest learning curve known to aviation...or somebody wasn't asking too much of you.

No disrespect intended, but the idea that the FMS can be learned to the degree that we require of both CAs and FOs in one hour is unrealistic.

Our trainees do apply themselves in 99% of the cases. While there is (and has been) that 1% that can't master the system, most folks do, but it takes considerable work for most. To imply that these folks aren't applying themselves is an insult.