I think it is. Some guys don't appreciate the history and architecture of training centers. To each his own.

I guess 'Sailor' and I disagree.

In the sim, there isn't too much hand flying, currently. While this profile is a bit different (they lose the engine AFTER T/O and AFTER they get the A/P on - we'll get a V1 cut, every time) and their procedures and call outs are slightly different, this is a pretty good representation of how Spirit wants it done in the sim right now.

On the line, some guys hand-fly, but the majority don't above 3K-5k feet. Some are even a bit nervous when the other guy chooses to hand-fly - which makes me nervous, b/c they clearly aren't ever hand-flying themselves. Those that do usually keep the Auto-Thrust on. There's a small subset that try to turn as much off as they can (A/P, F/D, A/T) and just fly the VOR needles or ILS raw data, but that's still somewhat rare - or it is with the guys I fly with, at least. Usually, on a multi-day trip, someone has to 'break the ice' and turn everything off on Day 2 (after proving on Day 1 they don't need to be watched), and then the other guy will often do it on his leg.

We're flying into more busy, high-traffic airports these days, which necessitates keeping the A/P on to look for traffic.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bycac/8472561475/lightbox/

 

Nice pic Bubi!!

 

Very cool hearing about the philosophy. I guess it just stems what you grew up with, if you're used to hand flying everything, that's probably what you would do. The Airbus, being as automated as it is, is probably less "designed" to hand fly, I'm guessing.

I love the old architecture and history of not only training areas (didn't really know too much about it), but of the old airports and terminals. The glam and glitz of the Pan Am days, T5 in New York, iconic structures and control towers, it's all so interesting.

Yes, very cool picture.

 

HOLY CRAP!

Did you see the PNF turn off the T.O. and Turn off lights just after gear retraction? What a wanton disregard for safety! Oh, THE HORROR!

 

The most important thing you need to know about the Miami Airbus facility... The Cuban coffee joint across the parking lot out the back door is amazing.

 

Will remember this!

 

Just make sure you have your Fl Conceal Carry with you. I love MIA.

 

It may go deeper than that because the MEC reviewed the UHC policy and acted as the company's advocate in changing insurance companies. There is a thread about it over on Spiritpilotboard.net

 

I've done a lot of looking into Spirit and everything seems great except I looked at the bid packet for ACY and most of the lines are not commutable. Is it any better in LAS, DFW, or FLL? Since Spirit is flexible and nimble and probably will open and close bases during a career there, I was hoping they would at least make commutable work blocks. Any info on this is appreciated.