Originally Posted by
Chiefttp
Rudestuff,
Generally I’m familiar with the concept of these programs. Can anyone explain the process and how many hours from start to finish (type rating) until a candidate flies in the right seat of an airliner.
A type rating course usually features no less than nine four-hour sessions in the FFS. However, the exact number can vary depending on a few things. First, there are usually some fixed-base sessions which are considered part of the theoretical training and are done either in a classroom FBS, in a touch-screen FTD or in the FFS cockpit with the motion disabled, depending on what sort of equipment is available in the training centre. Second, company conversion training may be integrated into the training programme or may come as a couple of standalone sessions after the type rating (usually one or two training sessions and one for the OPC). Low visibility training usually also comes as a standalone session. So, you won't be too far off if you assume that a cadet FO coming in for their first flight in the real aircraft has had at least 40 hours in the FFS with all the bells and whistles plus some hours in a lower-level training device before that.
As for being able to book extra sim sessions at the company's expense to maintain proficiency in non-normal situations - I am all in for that. Sadly, not many airlines out there have the resources to afford that and the willingness to spend the money this way even if they have it. Most tend to go with the minimum legally required number of training hours.