Shuttle America
 

Can anyone with legitimate valid information about Shuttle America shed some light on their training program and overall operation. Also, compared to other regional aircraft (i.e., EMB-145 and CRJ's) how difficult is learning and flying the E170/175?

What size have their recent classes been?

I'm going to give you complete honesty here...

Are you really a pilot? Who asks this question and for what reason? Are you afraid that you might have to work too hard? If this is truly a concern for you, I'd consider another line of work.

Not trying to jump down your throat, but an airplane is an airplane.

There are significant differences in training programs. I've been through a few and they were vastly different. I'm just trying to get some feedback since you never see much posted on Shuttle America, even though they a under the Republic banner.

And I disagree with your comment "an airplane is an airplane". Some of the turbo-props are more difficult than the newer generation of RJ's. Although I admit most training programs are probably very similar in structure and content.

The training is very doable, just a lot of studying but what training program is not? They are not out there to fail you that's for sure. INDOC in Indy, systems and sim at Flight Safety in STL.

The 170/175 is very easy to learn. You'll obviously have to hit the books, but I had no issues with training and really didn't break a sweat studying too hard. They definitely don't want you to build the plane, just know the basics of what each switch does and the associated system logic. Memory items and limitations are always just rote memorization, but there are VERY few memory items on that plane.

As for the training program itself, Shuttle does a solid job.

Wow, really? Can you really not think outside the box and comprehend that not everybody has flown a jet before. Try and think back before you ever flew one. It was a fairly common misconception for some people to correlate size with skill and difficulty.

To the OP. The 170 is actually easier to fly than the 145 due to more automation. Shuttle has a great training program.

Hey since we're actually talking about airplanes for once I've always wondered how the transition to autothrust was? I've heard it takes some getting used to?... Oh and how about the funky flight director on the 170?

The training is super easy. Indoc was a snooze fest and the test was uber easy. As for Flight Safety they did a nice job of keeping it entertaining. 2-3 weeks of systems. 3 days of GFS and then Sims. Worst part was having different instructors for the sims due to staffing issues by Flight Safety. With all that said if you have questions ask our check airmen. They are very knowledgeable and willing to help you if you ask prior to your oral or check ride. The whole process is fair and laid back.

As for the E170/175 its a fun airplane to fly and nice to hear the passengers say, "well this airplane is larger than i thought it would be". The automation is rather easy to understand once you get some time under your belt. Auto throttles are amazing and I feel bad for the 145 drivers when i jump seat on them. Sooooo much work. Include the VNAV capabilities, huge displays, and larger flight deck for a rj this aircraft is easy and fun to fly.

So thats for the training and the aircraft. Update on the company....the flying on the S5 side is not bad. starting to throttle back from the summer flying, but overall the mood is pretty good on the grey side considering everything. Just for example i am Indy based and my bid this month was 85 credit with 16 days off. I prefer the extra days off so I can work on my farm. I'm not gonna tell you if its a good place to apply to or not....I'll let you make your own choice. Good luck and enjoy the jets wherever you end up.

Funky flight director? It's like a F-16, but no missiles with passengers and a lot slower. In my opinion its easier than the chevron style of the cry and the t-bar transition to the "f-16" fd is sweet. the thrust to airspeed trend line is also helpful if you pay attention to it. Takes some getting used to, but its not bad at all.

Too bad you still get paid the same as a 50 seat pilot did 10 years ago. Most of us don't care what the pax think of the airplane we fly.

What regional FO has ever said that?

Here is a study guide for the ERJ 170 that is on ibooks.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/erj...09588993?mt=11

I posted this in the other s5 thread too, but it fits here:


I've done 3 planes now at RAH. (CRJ, 145) S5 170 was by far the most straight forward experience I have had yet. On day 1 of indoc you'll get a binder with a study guide. Know the study guide. If it's not bolded in the POH you don't have to have it memorized. There are not enough memory items to really waste your time studying before hand. So many are the same. Limitations you'll spend 2 hours maybe and have down. I would use my time before class to make sure my house is in order and see my family. Unless you live in IND or STL, plan on being gone the better part of 3 months.

How do you figure 3 months? Isn't Indoc/Systems about 3-4 weeks and Sim about 2 weeks?

indoc will be right about 5 weeks, then a couple of days off (and no positive space home), then at least 2 weeks for sim. plan on closer to 3. then a couple of days off, then off to IOE.

unless the sim is booked solid, in which case expect a couple weeks off between each stage of training

I started transition april 4th. it was late june when i wrapped up IOE. the FSI in STL was pretty swamped with multiple companies using them now.

it should only take 8-9 weeks, but i would bet it takes longer.

Indoc was 9 classroom days, then one additional day in there will be CRM type learning only taught by pilots. (Thursday-Sat, off sunday, Mon-Fri, Off Sat Sunday, Monday-Tuesday)

Systems was Thurs-Fri (Off Sat Sunday), then 2 weeks of mon-fri, weekends off, followed by mon-wed
SIT/CPT was three days. Some got it right away, some didn't. But your oral will be after that.

Originally I was supposed to have SIM the day after the oral but we ended up getting a 3 week break. (the other two planes I have done here it's been no more than a couple of days wait)

One of the worst things about this place is how long they can keep pilots away from their families during training.

Yeah, because no other company does this. Get over it already.