Check airman with no ATP? Is this guy a liar?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Orlando, FL area
Check airman with no ATP? Is this guy a liar?
I recently ran into a guy that claims to be a "Captain." He even introduces himself as "Captain ......" after talking with him, he says he was a check airman on the 727 for Pan Am, but mostly did simulator work. He does freelance flight instruction now.
Now, me being the curious one, I looked at his FAA report online. He holds a commercial multi, but no ATP. Also, there is no type rating on his certificate.
Before I pull the BS card out, I wanted to double check the following:
You still need a type rating to become a check airman in a simulator.
Pan Am hired non ATP pilots for these positions.
My guess is that he is stuck on the "right stuff" kick and has watched too many movies.
Now, me being the curious one, I looked at his FAA report online. He holds a commercial multi, but no ATP. Also, there is no type rating on his certificate.
Before I pull the BS card out, I wanted to double check the following:
You still need a type rating to become a check airman in a simulator.
Pan Am hired non ATP pilots for these positions.
My guess is that he is stuck on the "right stuff" kick and has watched too many movies.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,204
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From: Seattle
A type rating is required to become a check airman.
An ATP is not required for a type rating.
An ATP is not required for sim training -- only for revenue flying.
I don't know what Pan Am's hiring practices were. However, a check airman who is not a line Captain is not a "Captain" IMO.
An ATP is not required for a type rating.
An ATP is not required for sim training -- only for revenue flying.
I don't know what Pan Am's hiring practices were. However, a check airman who is not a line Captain is not a "Captain" IMO.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Orlando, FL area
Wouldn't he at least need a type rating?
It just seems rather odd. I don't have much respect for someone that runs around introducting themself as "Captain," unless that person has truly earned it. For that matter, most airline Captains that I have met introduce themselves by their first name unless they were required to due to "official business."
It just seems rather odd. I don't have much respect for someone that runs around introducting themself as "Captain," unless that person has truly earned it. For that matter, most airline Captains that I have met introduce themselves by their first name unless they were required to due to "official business."
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: The Attic
Interesting topic!
I always wanted to be an airline captain, but couldn't.
Various simrides and psychological interviews over the years (I'm 21) assured me that the problem is not having the "right stuff" or not, but that the problem is solely medical (I have about the same clarity of long-distance vision as your average apricot). Maybe that's this gentleman's problem as well.
I am currently in college pursuing a career in the flight simulation of big iron, and I also have been looking at the possibility of becoming a part-time instructor for some time now.
What is the possibility for me to become a typerated instructor without actually needing/having a class-1 medical or ATPL?
I promise I'll never call myself captain
I always wanted to be an airline captain, but couldn't.
Various simrides and psychological interviews over the years (I'm 21) assured me that the problem is not having the "right stuff" or not, but that the problem is solely medical (I have about the same clarity of long-distance vision as your average apricot). Maybe that's this gentleman's problem as well.I am currently in college pursuing a career in the flight simulation of big iron, and I also have been looking at the possibility of becoming a part-time instructor for some time now.
What is the possibility for me to become a typerated instructor without actually needing/having a class-1 medical or ATPL?
I promise I'll never call myself captain
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Bothell WA
I was a Check Engineer at Pan Am. We had Training Captains at the training center (known as the Pan Am International Flight Academy). The TC's were First Officers that did the pilot training in the simulators. Not sure if they were typed which would require an ATP.
Was this guy with Pan American World Airways or was he with the upstart Pan Am that started in the 1990s?
Was this guy with Pan American World Airways or was he with the upstart Pan Am that started in the 1990s?
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,204
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From: Seattle
What is the possibility for me to become a typerated instructor without actually needing/having a class-1 medical or ATPL?
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,809
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From: Bothell WA
He is in his late 50's if I had to guess.
I still have seniority list.
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: here and now
Somehow this sounds fishy 
"check airman on the 727 for Pan Am, but mostly did simulator work"
First, if one desires to come up with a story always take an airline which is nonexistent anymore (panam still is, but not in their original formation). So how do you prove his story - impossible since most data about people employed there is loooong gone.
Second, being "mostly a sim instructor" compensates as good excuse for "not so up to date flying skills" as expected by somebody piloting a 727
I would guess being a check airman with a company like Pan Am would always have required a rating. When you enter a company like PA, most pilots have time far in excess of the 1500hrs. ATP requirement and therefore get their ATP with the checkride - but that's only my conclusion.
Anyway, if this guy is fake, move on to somebody else and leave him with his dreams
"check airman on the 727 for Pan Am, but mostly did simulator work"
First, if one desires to come up with a story always take an airline which is nonexistent anymore (panam still is, but not in their original formation). So how do you prove his story - impossible since most data about people employed there is loooong gone.
Second, being "mostly a sim instructor" compensates as good excuse for "not so up to date flying skills" as expected by somebody piloting a 727
I would guess being a check airman with a company like Pan Am would always have required a rating. When you enter a company like PA, most pilots have time far in excess of the 1500hrs. ATP requirement and therefore get their ATP with the checkride - but that's only my conclusion.
Anyway, if this guy is fake, move on to somebody else and leave him with his dreams
