Originally Posted by NoAccoutrements

With all of the fixed-base training in the FTDs, pilots will have accomplished the approaches and MCDU FMS work many times before stepping into the full flight simulator. Pilots are already proficient at every task that is possible to train without the necessity of full motion.

The big ticket items left for full flight simulation are learning how to use a side stick, stalls, and banging out some V1 cuts and no flap landings. You get 16 hours to learn that stuff.

My opinion only: Everybody is entitled to their own opinion of the training, but the curriculum is focused on flying the aircraft from Day 1. The vast majority of pilots have made it through the training here with no problems.

You are expected to come prepared for every lesson by familiarizing yourself with the material (reading and chair flying) ahead of time. You don't need 3000 hours TT to know how to do that.

We have pilots from ERAU who pass the training with absolutely minimal experience. It's the real world challenges that are a very steep learning curve for them.

Everybody has to start somewhere, and Spirit pilots are generally willing to help new people learn the intricacies of red eye Latin America flying and the Expressway Visual to LGA as long as they have the right attitude.

Again, my opinion: Coming prepared is a function of attitude and professionalism, not Total Time.

Originally Posted by TrojanCMH

I agree that it isn't just total time that makes a good pilot but if our contract was anywhere near industry standard we wouldn't need to be hiring guys with fresh ATP's and no real world experience.

Originally Posted by Super EZ E

It's not training and lets leave it at that. Did we just bump OE to 40 hours? Put the 2 together and it makes it look like OE is where the training is taking place. Plus OE you're still on training pay so you are paid nothing till it's complete.

Originally Posted by NoAccoutrements

With all of the fixed-base training in the FTDs, pilots will have accomplished the approaches and MCDU FMS work many times before stepping into the full flight simulator. Pilots are already proficient at every task that is possible to train without the necessity of full motion.

The big ticket items left for full flight simulation are learning how to use a side stick, stalls, and banging out some V1 cuts and no flap landings. You get 16 hours to learn that stuff.

My opinion only: Everybody is entitled to their own opinion of the training, but the curriculum is focused on flying the aircraft from Day 1. The vast majority of pilots have made it through the training here with no problems.

You are expected to come prepared for every lesson by familiarizing yourself with the material (reading and chair flying) ahead of time. You don't need 3000 hours TT to know how to do that.

We have pilots from ERAU who pass the training with absolutely minimal experience. It's the real world challenges that are a very steep learning curve for them.

Everybody has to start somewhere, and Spirit pilots are generally willing to help new people learn the intricacies of red eye Latin America flying and the Expressway Visual to LGA as long as they have the right attitude.

Again, my opinion: Coming prepared is a function of attitude and professionalism, not Total Time.

Originally Posted by Worldflyer89

It's not 16 hours it's 8. You fly 8 and sit 8 as a seat fill in the right seat for your partner in the left. It's difficult to get a good feel actually hand flying the Airbus in 8 hours and about 6 landings.


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Originally Posted by dn_wisconsin

Sorry it's not just 8. The right seat is FAA required. It's 16 hours.

Originally Posted by Worldflyer89

True but what I'm saying is you are never the PF from the right seat until after the checkride. So really you get 8 hours as PF.


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Originally Posted by dn_wisconsin

I gotcha, that's true. How much were you actually hand flying during your type? Guess I'm asking does it matter if the AP is on? A big thing is the command, decision and delegation skills. Don't need to hand fly those.

Originally Posted by Wakeboard88

More than you think. I was surprised at how much hand flying I did it training. I thought it was a lot.