...and while we're talking about training, here's a question I've come up with and respectfully submit to the crowd:

I'm going through my pre-class materials, getting flash cards ready and have been considering getting a buddies old CRJ flight manual and basically more in depth materials than were provided, BUT - I come across the following from AWAC's guidance for newbies:

"Please limit your advance study to the specific items explained in this guide. You may feel tempted to look ahead at other CRJ materials, but that would not be advisable."

I can't see how getting further into things would be harmful, but my lazy side is always looking for an excuse to do less.

Any thoughts from those either in training or who are finished?

 

A lot of information is being shot at you and at a fast pace. Don't study more than a day or two ahead of time. Forget about systems until systems class, don't worry about it in Indoc or else you may not make it out of Indoc.

 

What he said, unless you're a sponge in which case, more power to you

Look at training this way: Indoc is Phase I where you cover company policies and procedures and general operating principles. Systems is Phase II where you cover the airplane. CPT and the sim is Phase III where you take the things from Phases I and II and put them together along with your superior airman skills. One thing that muddies Indoc and Systems here is that we are a one-fleet type airline and our FOM has aircraft specifics in it. At any airline that has more than one fleet type, you all sit in Indoc together then split up for your specific means of aviating.

Also, what you will be tested on is in the company manuals. Although having other material is helpful, remember that they are supplementary - especially when it comes to how to fly the airplane. For the x number of -200 operators that have been around, there have been x number of ways to fly the airplane.

 

For as long as I have been flying, which has been quite long, checkrides never allow do-overs. It holds true from private to atp, from add-on to type ratings (PIC). If you lose 120ft on a steep turn and the examiner overlooks it, that's one thing. Allowing you to do it again after losing 500ft is another.

 

If AWAC lets you 'do things over' during your ATP checkride, then I definitely wouldn't classify that as a difficult training department.

 

i see that pretty commonly on stage checks/check rides at the 141 school i teach at, letting them try again if they werent up to PTS, after that, its time to go back full stop if still not up to standards.

 

Well considering I was hired without an ATP, and you can't take an ATP check ride In an aircraft you aren't typed in, I was doing an ATP and the CL65 type at the same time. The instructors told us we were allowed to repeat 1 maneuver twice, or 2 maneuvers once. Not sure what they are doing now, this was for the FO's here who were sitting right seat after 5-6 years without an ATP.

 

This is how it is done in every training dept at every airline now.

The ATP checkride as we all knew it is now essentially a PC.

 

I went thru AWAC ground school in November. Most responses are spot on regrading advice avoiding non AWAC study material. Don't waste your time.

The testing in ground school was very fair and we were well prepared. We studied as a group and it was very beneficial. Do the assigned homework and you'll do fine. There is no reason to work ahead on the homework and use your time to study the current and already covered material.

As far as studying before class starts, I do recommened spending time in the FCM chapter 2 limitations. The numbers and info in the entire chapter was a big part of systems training, CPT, SIM and was hit hard during the oral. They say you "need to know the dashed items by memory and be familiar with the rest". I found that we needed to know all of it. So the sooner you get your brain wrapped around that info, the better off you'll be.

Good luck in class.

 

Thanks RDC, et al., I'm glad I asked the question and am grateful for the responses.
Rock on Gentlemen!