Command Preparation

[DreamMachine]

Does anyone know of any good material available to assist with command preparation. Some of the "not so big" airlines don't really give the guys much in the way of support or preparation for a command upgrade. Are there any really good books on the subject ?

[Bourbon-on-the-rocks]

If you need to read a book about being in command of an aeroplane- you ain't ready yet!

[DreamMachine]

Thats just my point. When my time comes, I want to be ready. Any amount of preparation will make it easier.

[wayward]

Do you know anyone within your airline that has been through the command assesment route recently? They would probably have lots of useful insights.

[Sleeve Wing]

DreamMachine.
Bourbon has hit the nail on the head.
Preparation starts the day you become an F/O (or earlier.)
Watch and listen to every Captain you ever fly with.
Store the good bits and ditch the bad bits.

Best of luck,
Sleeve.

[Ignition Override]

Sleeve Wing said it. Be able to keep track of any situation and make the decision to change something when you are not comfortable with the situation or another crewmember indicates concern to you, or you lose track of important factors. Do you understand the traps you can fall into by doing things by the book, and how US or other air traffic control rarely lets you divert at the planned altitude and route through a sky full of planes in holding patterns, unless you declare "minimum fuel" etc? For example, if the book says decision fuel (to divert) = alternate+reserve fuel, resulting in about 10,000 lbs at the destination after burning fuel to go there from where you are NOW, you should add 1-2,000 lbs to that company figure, even if it means less holding time than you would like...

If you are waiting near the runway with all engines shutdown and tower says to start engines before you had planned on doing so, and quickly taxi to the nearby runway, do you have time to safely do all checklist items with only 4 minutes to go before the "wheels up" time ends?

Will being "mission-oriented", in order to reduce further delays to passengers, lead you down a path where important items will be overlooked before takeoff or final approach? This has gotten many people fired or killed. An IP during upgrade training reminded me that "speed kills" (the reluctance to slow things down in order to double check at a normal pace, even the nerve to decide that a simple go-around is needed etc). The real world can get us into trouble-it has no respect for what is printed in a book, or how well clearway design or met theory is understood. Some of our book figures are designed by pilots who don't acknowledge the unpredictability of "real world" situations, and might not have flown anything but a desk or simulator in years.

You might also read US books such as "Fate is the Hunter" etc by the late Ernest Gann, or the airline pilot books by Len Morgan.

[autoflight]

I take your post at face value, as a genuine search for improved command preparation material. The best material available is right between your own ears, and this advice.

Every captain you fly with will demonstrate good and bad examples of his craft. One of your essential tasks is to recognize the difference. For your own standards, follow the best, and reject the worst, as advised by Sleeve Wing. Every generation of new captains should be better by following this advice, far better than learning by your own mistakes.

It is difficult to appear like captain material when you are sitting in the right seat. Part of your preparation can include bolstering your own ego a little, and your image with your captains, flight engineers, and others. Here are some things you could be aiming for every day:

Feel like a captain
Think like a captain
When you are PF, make decisions like a captain
Fly like a captain

Perfect checklist reading
Perfect actions
Perfect responses

Perfect normal procedures

Make sure everything is rosy at home. Let your closest friends and / or family know that you are working towards your goal. Take your partner out to dinner, and explain the temporary pre-occupation with your ego and PR for the upgrade.

It won’t hurt your prospects if you aim for self improvement. Your confidence, attitude and ability will not go unnoticed.

Of course it’s not all just PR, is it? It’s a new you.

[MaximumPete]

This is a good read for young and old:-

"Redefining Airmanship" by Tony Kern

Publisher McGraw-Hill

ISBN 0-07-034284-9

Available from www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

MP