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Thread: Dear Abby....
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Old 1st Apr 2012, 01:00
  #15 (permalink)  
Shagpile
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Adelaide
Age: 40
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On the P3 I think we're unique - copilot conversion is done from the left seat with only a single flight as radio guy from the RHS.

Then at the squadron, we take in turns left and right daily. The captain does a series of copilot supervision (read: how not to let them kill you) sims before this is allowed.

The occasional takeoff/landing is done from the RHS but only at light weights and it's not common. The majority of flying is whoever is in the left runs the show and gets the takeoff/land. It is different landing from the RHS and most guys land on the right side of the runway! Pulling power levers into reverse with your left hand is also different as you don't have the muscle memory of how far back they go to flight idle & reverse.

The end result is quite good - you get fresh copilots who know how to fly the plane very well and you can load shed by letting them fly whilst running the crew.

There is also no dedicated "captaincy course" as such, rather a series of flights, tutorials, exams and sim rides embedded into routine flying and operations such that after 2-3 years they become captain assuming they put in the work.
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