Adelaide Notes
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Adelaide Notes
I just finished my Finesse course in ADL and thought that I would share some of my notes on the process that goes on there for those of you who are preparing to head down-under. You will get a load of instructions from CX prior to leaving and some of the details here might be included there.
Hoop Number 1 - The Mighty Duchess:
- seems a little overwhelming at first since there is a heap of info. However, the two practice flights will prepare you well for the test. Just make sure to put in some effort learning the flows and checklists. The first day the instructor helps you out a great deal; the second day, you are pretty much on your own. The third is the test. Very simple: an asymmetric ILS w/ GA, navigate to the practice area, clean stall, approach stall, fire drill, normal circuit, flapless circuit, asymmetric circuit, two engine missed approach and land. Done! Congrats, CX BE76 Skipper! Don't let it go to your head, though.
Hoop Number 2 - Jet Transport Simulator
- Some might disagree with me here, but IMHO I would suggest that you prepare for this one. Depending on your background, you might find it fairly simple, but you are required to learn the flows for the operation of a 737-300. No ground training, just a briefing. You are given a book that takes you through a standard flight step-by-step. Again, this seems overwhelming at first, but it won't take you long to get the hang of it.
- The main objective is CX SOPs and it seems to be good for that. Be sure to learn these although some will differ once you get going on your actual fleet. Oh well.
- The next objective seems to be CRM and two crew operations.
- Radiotelephony procedures for a North American can be tough, but there is little preparation that you can do for this. Maybe others have some suggestions?
- Flights are out of Hong Kong, Taipei, Fukuoka, Singapore, Kualu Lumpur to name a few. 7 sessions in total, the last being an eval. Really, the eval is just you and your sim partner completing a flight without the instructor instructing. Piece of piss, as they say in Aussie land.
- Sim is partial glass (EADI, EHSI), FMS is crazy, the two CDUs (if you can call them that) do not communicate with one another. This takes a little getting used to. The autopilot is twitchy and unreliable. It will likely bust an altitude on you once or twice unless you are on top of it, especially for the missed approach.
- Grading is a little different and don't be hard on yourself if you don't get over a 6/10 on the first day! They start low so that they can work you up and show a progression.
Hoop 3 - Lectures for CAD exams
- Sit and listen, take notes, whatever.
- there are some briefings when you get to HKG. If you are unsure about an exam, ask people ahead of you on course. There are often some helpful tips and everyone is happy to help out.
Rules that are easy to miss:
- I heard that it is best not to wear a cap or hat in the mess. Apparently someone got an earful.
- Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full, sir. This will get you a good report back to CX. Cooperate, prepare and have a good attitude.
At the same time, you will hear that you shouldn't overwork and I think that this is wise, to a degree. Use you own judgement on that one. I found that the first day of Duchess I wanted to put some time in. The first three sessions of JTS were a fair bit of study, but as things get sorted out, the study time can taper off. Some can do well with little effort, some people felt more comfortable studying like mad. But take breaks and have fun since the real work comes shortly thereafter in HKG!
There is a report that is written about how you did with the Duchess and the JTS and an overall assessment. This does not contain a grade, but goes on your training file with CX. There is speculation that this carries very little weight at CX, but it is on your file nevertheless, so it must mean something. It is not worth sweating over, however. Maybe some others out there will share their opinions on this.
Food is OK. Lots of choice. Potentially fattening. On that note, the gym is also OK although it lacks cardio equipment. There is a trail around the perimeter of the airport that is great for jogging. This is also the trail that takes you to the train to get into town.
You do not need a headset, they are provided. Calling cards can be purchased at the admin building and the deals are great for overseas calling. Not so good so far here in HKG. You receive all of your allowance on the Monday during the tour (420 AUS). Laundry facilities are good. No wireless unless you chat with some of the cadets there on course. Since they are there for over a year, a number of them have wireless set-up. Offer them some AUS $ and they will likely help you out.
Anyways, I hope that this is somewhat helpful. Again, some of this is fact, but the views expressed are simply the opinion of the author.
If anyone disagrees with me, I won't be offended, but be nice. I am just trying to pass on some tidbits of info for the new guys. Welcome to CX and have fun in ADL! It's an, umm, interesting town....
Hoop Number 1 - The Mighty Duchess:
- seems a little overwhelming at first since there is a heap of info. However, the two practice flights will prepare you well for the test. Just make sure to put in some effort learning the flows and checklists. The first day the instructor helps you out a great deal; the second day, you are pretty much on your own. The third is the test. Very simple: an asymmetric ILS w/ GA, navigate to the practice area, clean stall, approach stall, fire drill, normal circuit, flapless circuit, asymmetric circuit, two engine missed approach and land. Done! Congrats, CX BE76 Skipper! Don't let it go to your head, though.
Hoop Number 2 - Jet Transport Simulator
- Some might disagree with me here, but IMHO I would suggest that you prepare for this one. Depending on your background, you might find it fairly simple, but you are required to learn the flows for the operation of a 737-300. No ground training, just a briefing. You are given a book that takes you through a standard flight step-by-step. Again, this seems overwhelming at first, but it won't take you long to get the hang of it.
- The main objective is CX SOPs and it seems to be good for that. Be sure to learn these although some will differ once you get going on your actual fleet. Oh well.
- The next objective seems to be CRM and two crew operations.
- Radiotelephony procedures for a North American can be tough, but there is little preparation that you can do for this. Maybe others have some suggestions?
- Flights are out of Hong Kong, Taipei, Fukuoka, Singapore, Kualu Lumpur to name a few. 7 sessions in total, the last being an eval. Really, the eval is just you and your sim partner completing a flight without the instructor instructing. Piece of piss, as they say in Aussie land.
- Sim is partial glass (EADI, EHSI), FMS is crazy, the two CDUs (if you can call them that) do not communicate with one another. This takes a little getting used to. The autopilot is twitchy and unreliable. It will likely bust an altitude on you once or twice unless you are on top of it, especially for the missed approach.
- Grading is a little different and don't be hard on yourself if you don't get over a 6/10 on the first day! They start low so that they can work you up and show a progression.
Hoop 3 - Lectures for CAD exams
- Sit and listen, take notes, whatever.
- there are some briefings when you get to HKG. If you are unsure about an exam, ask people ahead of you on course. There are often some helpful tips and everyone is happy to help out.
Rules that are easy to miss:
- I heard that it is best not to wear a cap or hat in the mess. Apparently someone got an earful.
- Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full, sir. This will get you a good report back to CX. Cooperate, prepare and have a good attitude.
At the same time, you will hear that you shouldn't overwork and I think that this is wise, to a degree. Use you own judgement on that one. I found that the first day of Duchess I wanted to put some time in. The first three sessions of JTS were a fair bit of study, but as things get sorted out, the study time can taper off. Some can do well with little effort, some people felt more comfortable studying like mad. But take breaks and have fun since the real work comes shortly thereafter in HKG!
There is a report that is written about how you did with the Duchess and the JTS and an overall assessment. This does not contain a grade, but goes on your training file with CX. There is speculation that this carries very little weight at CX, but it is on your file nevertheless, so it must mean something. It is not worth sweating over, however. Maybe some others out there will share their opinions on this.
Food is OK. Lots of choice. Potentially fattening. On that note, the gym is also OK although it lacks cardio equipment. There is a trail around the perimeter of the airport that is great for jogging. This is also the trail that takes you to the train to get into town.
You do not need a headset, they are provided. Calling cards can be purchased at the admin building and the deals are great for overseas calling. Not so good so far here in HKG. You receive all of your allowance on the Monday during the tour (420 AUS). Laundry facilities are good. No wireless unless you chat with some of the cadets there on course. Since they are there for over a year, a number of them have wireless set-up. Offer them some AUS $ and they will likely help you out.
Anyways, I hope that this is somewhat helpful. Again, some of this is fact, but the views expressed are simply the opinion of the author.
If anyone disagrees with me, I won't be offended, but be nice. I am just trying to pass on some tidbits of info for the new guys. Welcome to CX and have fun in ADL! It's an, umm, interesting town....
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Oz
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The Lear made a guest appearance on the tarmac yesterday - perhaps for a group to view??? Word is that it is available for $7mil, but best offer or $6mil so far. You could try half-way....
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Join Date: Jul 2003
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The Lear has not been sold yet, at least it hadn't been last week. The problem is that it has a relatively low flight time but it has a lot of landings, so buyers are not very interested in it. It was used to train pilots who were upgrading to Commander but it is not anymore.
