Initial training CRJ
 

Finally got a class date about 12 months from CJO and I'm wondering if anybody has recommendations on what to study before training. I know they don't give out any info early, but I want to try to be a little bit prepared so are there any books/videos/apps/etc. that might give me a little bit of an edge? I'm just a CFI with no jet time and worried about the training intensity.

I've got Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot and the Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual and going through those now.

Is the CRJ 200 Aircraft Systems Study Guide by Aaron Boone worth it? What about the King Schools CRJ 700/900 systems course?
And thoughts on these videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDUC__VwDbo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbQQT7Swpvg

Any help is appreciated!

have you ever struggled with any other ratings? If not I wouldn’t sweat it. Skywest’s AQP is designed to make you pass if you put in the effort. I wouldn’t spend money on any of that stuff.

Struggled? Yes.
Failed? No.

I anticipate struggling since I'm only used to single-engine Cessnas, I just don't want to fail and I have heard that they have some of the most intense training of the regionals. I can only imagine how much harder it is with no jet experience.

What day did they give you your class date? And when did you sign the contract? Thanks

Do NOT study ahead.
 

From several co-workers who recently went through CRJ/ERJ training, they will provide you with company-specific study materials and strategies. Wait until you get there, only study what they tell you, when they tell you. Having gone through type rating school, I agree with this and am following their guidance when I attend class next month.

are you September 8th CRJ as well?

Most regional new hires in this century including me did not have jet experience. The first 121 training event is a lot to be sure. They get somewhat easier after that but still a PITA if a new-to-you type.

It's probably OK to read ahead on systems since that doesn't vary much between airlines. But there is some risk of law of primacy, and learning something not quite the way OO wants you to know it.

That said, unless you're mechanically disinclined, systems ground school probably isn't the most challenging part, it's learning and employing all of the flight SOP and techniques. Only way to really get ahead on that would be to attend a type rating class, or a short CRJ fam class.

Good advice. Don’t overthink this. You will get all you need for systems when you show for class. What you will need to concentrate on are learning the callouts and flows. Learn the limitations. Get with your sim partner and run through the checklists. There are a lot of checklists at SkyWest, the CRJ is not a quick start jet the way SkyWest operates it. Just learn what you need to pass systems and then concentrate on the fixed base trainer, the Matrix, then sim.

The CRJ is a great first jet, you will learn more flying this than the E jet. Having come to the CRJ as an old dog flying nothing but autothrottles and vnav before this for the last 25 plus years, this was a culture shock but having done IOE for pilots with your exact background I can say that this won’t be a problem if you put the time in.

It won't hurt to have a broader knowledge of turbine systems and general 121 operating philosophy. You won't need to know how long the escape hatch safety rope is or at what frequency the ice detector vibrates.

Systems training was pretty lacking and consisted almost entirely of CBTs that you'll do during a week off from in-class training after basic indoc. You will be tested on it, but it isn't very difficult. Understanding at the rote level.

Where you will need to concentrate is reading manuals (FOM and SOPM) and applying them. Listen during lectures and study when you get back to the hotel. There really isn't much downtime and after the ground validation the pace picks up. You'll be learning something new every day and you'll be expected to stack it on top of what you learned the day before. If you've never flown a jet or worked in a crew environment you can be left wondering why you're doing what you're doing and mixing up steps. Maybe it helps to think of the why, maybe not. Depends on you.

Our class had a 93% pass rate. Most of them CFIs with no turbine experience. Some with 121 experience, some with type experience.

Just make friends with your classmates and study with them. They are your greatest asset.

Good luck! Feel free to PM me with questions. I'd be happy to help.

APU Lunch Is Ready
Runway IS Long Gone

You can start by remembering these two mnemonics and you'll learn why in training. I'm not messing with you, you'll need them soon so give yourself a head start.

You might learn the NSFW version of that during training...