Low time copilots in airlines
Some interesting comments.............
Generally I too would prefer to fly with someone who has some "life experience", but must also acknowledge that role-specific training also has merit.
I can also readily identify with Jet-A's comment regarding learning a new set of SOP's; it is made infinitely more difficult if you are also required to "unlearn" another set of SOP's.
I guess it will be interesting to see what the next few years produce.
Generally I too would prefer to fly with someone who has some "life experience", but must also acknowledge that role-specific training also has merit.
I can also readily identify with Jet-A's comment regarding learning a new set of SOP's; it is made infinitely more difficult if you are also required to "unlearn" another set of SOP's.
I guess it will be interesting to see what the next few years produce.
Having worked with F/O's from three streams (G/A, cadet, military), my oberservations.
The 250 hour F/O's surprise me. Working in a difficult environment is a "busy" cockpit (MD80). I have often reflected on how would have compared at the same stage of my development. I am in awe.
Generally they have good procedural skills, and whilst all is going well their performance is fine. Handling skills are generally adequate.
Situational awareness and decision making, are an entirely different kettle of fish. They basically do not exist. Those skills can only be learned with guidance and with exposure.
A few years down the track and I am seeing these guys now with a lot more exposure, now on a wide body FBW and soon to undertake command training, on a "maggot"
In summary now I would suggest that most have refined their handling skills, but generally situational awareness and decision making is still lacking. In many cases dangerously so, given their imminent upgrade.
The military, in my experience, have, initially, demonstrated a higher level of handling skills (away from the ground) but have been indocrinated with a narrow channel rational process (mission focused). Coupled with an absolute belief in the superiority of their military training, and their allegience to the "corps", they are not easy candidates for attitude or procedural change. Once again situational awareness is less than desireable.
For my money, give me the guy who has been out on his own, working in an often difficult environment, and relying on his own judgement to keep an operation on the rails. He may not do it correctly all the time, but he will generally give you no concern as to his ability to keep the paint on the aluminium and off the terrain. But he will have a real good idea of what is happening around him/her.
My three cents
Maui
The 250 hour F/O's surprise me. Working in a difficult environment is a "busy" cockpit (MD80). I have often reflected on how would have compared at the same stage of my development. I am in awe.
Generally they have good procedural skills, and whilst all is going well their performance is fine. Handling skills are generally adequate.
Situational awareness and decision making, are an entirely different kettle of fish. They basically do not exist. Those skills can only be learned with guidance and with exposure.
A few years down the track and I am seeing these guys now with a lot more exposure, now on a wide body FBW and soon to undertake command training, on a "maggot"
In summary now I would suggest that most have refined their handling skills, but generally situational awareness and decision making is still lacking. In many cases dangerously so, given their imminent upgrade.
The military, in my experience, have, initially, demonstrated a higher level of handling skills (away from the ground) but have been indocrinated with a narrow channel rational process (mission focused). Coupled with an absolute belief in the superiority of their military training, and their allegience to the "corps", they are not easy candidates for attitude or procedural change. Once again situational awareness is less than desireable.
For my money, give me the guy who has been out on his own, working in an often difficult environment, and relying on his own judgement to keep an operation on the rails. He may not do it correctly all the time, but he will generally give you no concern as to his ability to keep the paint on the aluminium and off the terrain. But he will have a real good idea of what is happening around him/her.
My three cents
Maui
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Great Southern Land
Age: 57
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Originally Posted by Cloud Cutter
Most of it comes down to shear organisation, that you won't find at your local aero club.
I'll get me coat
