Rusty Pilots and training
 

I have been out of flying for a while and have finished my BFR and IPC with the hours required for an ATP. I heard that Trans States has a “Rusty Pilots” program where they work with pilots that have been away for a bit.

Can anyone verify this and if these pilots are working out? Thx

Nothing of a specific program mentioned in my interview or Indoc day one (seniority reservation program). They were very adamant to the people leaving to go time build to focus on instrument proficiency. They even provided a booklet with specific training tasks for people to practice and log.


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I went to TSA, in 2001, after not flying for 10 years. I had the bare mins for the MEL ATP. I did have a LOT of training, plus a number of hours in large (airline-type) simulators, which helped. I got my BFR and IPC, plus some sim training before I went. I never flew there because I passed my sim check on 9.12, and was furloughed a week later...

I have read lately about more pilots going in cold after 10-20 years of not flying, and them having no problems. The current regional training programs, are designed to help people get through with "less" experience than in past decades.

The bottom line is, if you are trainable, and you try hard, it should not be a problem.

Another reference for you, everyone I was in indoc with with the exception of myself and two others were in the time building phase with little experience in anything more than a 182. From what I understand their system sets you up for success as long as you put in the work.


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I'm getting back in after not flying for 10 years, I was a Navy Helo guy... I flew for 10 years... its like riding a bicycle .. just need to brush up on procedures and radio calls, stick skills never go away...

You’d be fine. There was about half of the hour builders doing the rotor transition program having TSA pay for it. Their training department is used to helo guys and people with no jet or turbine time. They do have smaller class sizes than some of the other larger regionals as well. You can get into the cockpit procedure trainers after hours or anytime they’re not in use. Good luck in whatever you decide.


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I'm a line pilot, so not familiar with recruiting or training. But if you're worried about not being current enough, I would be willing to bet they'd be willing to front you some bonus money to get a plane + instructor and/or some frasca/redbird time to really work on some instrument procedures to show up feeling confident and ready. They're throwing money at helo guys to get ratings, I've heard if them paying some hours towards time building, and 10 hours in a 172 subtracted from your first bonus is way cheaper than a couple extra sims.

Not sure if they have a formal program for this, however.

A TSA recruiter told me not to worry that I haven't flown in 3+ years; they've hired people with much more time out of the cockpit than that.

I came back after being out for 10 years. There wasn't a specific program for rusty pilots/rotor transition guys at that point in time but I was given a lot of good feedback by the training department. I ended up doing a BFR, IPC, and a few extra lessons in a multi-engine frasca and was well- (maybe over-, at least as compared to my classmates) prepared. They now have a 'training packet' type syllabus that focuses on instrument stuff.

Initial training has changed at lot (and for the better) at TSA over the last 10 years. Sink or swim is out; if you're trainable they'll get you through. With that being said, training footprint has gone from 8-9 weeks to 3.5-4 months, so expect to spend a lot of time at the schoolhouse/flight safety.

PM me if you want details.