I can't fly what I'm type rated for?

[montema]

Hi folks.

I am in contact with a company, so far so good, I had an interview and everything went OK. The problem is that the girl in training is apparently having a hard time because while I'm rated in the B737(300-900), she says I can't fly the damn -400 because I have only experience in NG. If that's correct... why 300-900?

Anyone knows if thats correct? Or if it changes depending on the country the company is based?

[Denti]

As far as i know you need a differences training between the NG and the Classic. I have seen a company where it was a 4-sided A5 handout and a signature on a sheet that covered that, others required at least a simulator session and a few days of line flying under supervision. The different direction, from the Classic to the NG, it was a simulator session and 16 sectors of line training as well as a 4 hour CBT program.

Best to check with your employer what they require and then find an ATO that does the cheapest possible way of a difference training. In my opinion the induction course to the airline should be more than enough to cover the difference training as well but i have no clue if they have a program in their OMD for that.

[FlyingStone]

If we are talking EASA here, you are required to undergo differences training prior to operating the Classics, if your previous experience is NG - and vice versa.

If it has been more than 24 months since you've last flown the variant requiring differences training, further refresher training should be completed prior operating.

[montema]

thanks for the swift replies guys. Ok, so I go through a difference course... that means... I can't fly the NG without doing another difference course?

[FlyingStone]

You can fly both at the same time, and your airline will have established procedures how to deal with training/checking.

If you will be away from NG for more than 24 months, then yes, differences training is required.

[montema]

So if I understood correctly, if I do a difference course I can fly both as long as I don't spend over 24 months without flying one of both, as that would require additional training.

Correct?

Also, shouldn't the company do this in the OCC?

Thanks!

[FlyingStone]

Correct. Any reasonable company would do this during the OCC, yes.

[montema]

The thing is, my TR expires next month. And they are kindly asking me to renew it (plus they were wondering if I could do the difference course). The company is from Saudi Arabia; I really don't know how things roll there. While I have 5 years airline experience I've never changed company and I don't know what and how is an OCC.

[Denti]

Sadly many airlines require a certain license validity before they hire you. Last time i changed companies they required 75 days so i had to renew on my own dime before joining them. And of course a LPC would be the ideal time to get the differences course done as well. Sadly we are in an employers market right now.

[Kelly Hopper]

I had a situation a few years ago with this.... Hawker 125 pilot with many years experience on all variants. Then I was offered a job on the 800 XPi. with Collins Proline 21 avionics. I had not flown Proline before. No amount of reasoning with these idiots could convince them that it was the same aircraft and after a couple of sectors the avionics would be history! The job was lost. I went on later to fly an 850XP with Proline 21 after a couple of sectors. Doh!

How have we become slaves to such idiots?

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

I've never changed company and I don't know what and how is an OCC.

An OCC is a company differences training course. It will depend on their requirements, but will usually include some ground school training, a couple of days in the sim to learn their way of operating the aeroplane and then your LPC.