"OK, here's what I believe is the sketch. It's been suggested that all co's become qualified in RH and LHS from the OCU. They seat swap during their tour and come up to captaincy needing only a short convex due their expertise. Theoretical advantages:
1. Gives co's credit for being capable pilots (contentious, possibly!) and enhances their credibility and confidence.
Why do they need to swap seats to achieve that objective? That can be achieved from the RHS quite easily. As any airline can prove....
2. Double-co OCUs need run only half as frequently to meet co IPS figures. No stude capt, because they're on the short course. Half the OCUs = half the costs (simplistic, I know).
Implies that people are being rushed through to meet some pointless training target rather than to meet fleet manning requirements. Hence it's bolleaux!
3. Less time in training world (possible disadvantage in today's micro fg hours climate - for some fleets) = more time in operational environment = better professional/career potential.
If they are still alive to enjoy a career at the end of such a foolish experiment! When they are being so cruelly short-changed by missing out the BFTS stage of their training, the last thing such woefully inexperienced pilots need is even less training 'within the disciplined environment of a formal training organisation'. A phrase, it should be noted, used by an AOC after previous inadequate C-130 osmotic training practices led directly to a fatal accident....
So, take aim. In your own time - carry on. Any CAA wallers know if 'capt in LHS only' could become air law in the future?"
It is already the law in Germany that, with the exception of Flight Instructors, all PIC flying shall be flown from the certificated Commander's seat. Ipso facto, that means the LHS in a multi-pilot aeroplane. However, whether that would apply to military flying is unlikely.
As I asked before, who on earth is driving this daft idea?
Last edited by BEagle; 21st Feb 2005 at 21:03.