AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOTS
INFORMATIVE INFORMATION FOR ASPIRING PILOTS
AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOTS have achieved the highest certificate a pilot can hold. With the exception of adding Ratings, or achieving endorsements on your certificate providing added privileges, you have done it. Congratulations whether its a new ATP or whether you’ve been one for awhile.
I ACHIEVED my own ATP in a ‘borrowed’ Cessna Citation, and I say borrowed, because the owner did loan it to my for that occasion...my ATP check-ride at Fulton County Airport, outside of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1978. His only stipulation was that I pay for the gas. It wasn’t as much back then as it is now, but I recall spending close to $400 dollars refilling the tanks when I returned. It was ‘OUCH’ on my credit card, but it could have been more costly. I was able to piggy-back some VA students to get some training, and do some of the required maneuvers, that I knew was on the ATP check-ride. I practiced the check-ride in a Cessna 172 just to get it all down in my head, then applied my knowledge of the Citation’s operating performance to the equation. The only thing I couldn’t do was practice the single-engine approach and engine failure on takeoff scenario. In my case, the FAA Inspector eased the power back at rotation, and had me fly a single-engine pattern and ILS back to the runway.
My goal in building this website was to give back to my profession, without trying to make a buck out of it. The ads I’ve placed on the various pages might not add up to much, but it allows me to zero out the cost of the website, if there are any ad revenues.
For ATP pilots, listed below are some specific websites that may assist you in whatever direction you are going. There are many really good websites out there for aviators, and this is only a humble attempt to provide information and guidance to new and aspiring pilots, pilots primarily in the learning pipeline, whether its a new student pilot, or an ATP looking to become employed with a Corporate operator or Airline. I’ve been there and might be able to provide some insight. As mentioned in my bio on the WELCOME page, I have been employed with FedEx for 24 years, and it continues to be a great, enjoyable job. The hiring picture for the airlines always seems to wax and wane, with the economy, but, if thats your goal, don’t get discouraged. Timing is everything.
MILITARY PILOTS TRANSITIONING TO CIVIL AVIATION
MILITARY PILOTS who are transitioning to civil aviation whether it be with the airlines or corporate aviation generally experience the transition without much help except for word of mouth from fellow military pilots who have gone before them. The transition can be a big one! If you get on with an airline, there seems to be somewhat of a squadron atmosphere depending on where you land. However, civil operators don’t always provide military aviators with much guidance. You are pretty much on your own.
How can you make the transition easier? There are a few things you can do to help yourself:
1- Be sure your military logbooks are in order. If you don’t have the ATP yet, this will be important. Make sure your military experience is broken down well so you can prove your flying experience.
2- Be ready to start training, and expect to learn on your own pace. But sure you understand the ‘gates’ you will need to meet during the ground school. It can be a quickened pace, as the airlines want you out there flying the jet, making money.
3- If you’ve never used a Jeppesen or a LIDO chart - depending on what chart style you new company uses, go online and download a ‘primer’ from Jeppesen or LIDO. If you can’t find one, pay for one, as you will need to be an expert in reading non-military approach charts asap.
4- Remember that civil operators function under the supervision of the FAA, and the FARS are important, as well as the Airman’s Information Manual (AIM). These documents are available on the faa.gov website free of charge.
5- Realize that the transition to civilian life and becoming employed with a civil aviation operator is going to be stressful. Prepare for that, as the training process will consume most of your time.
6- The airlines and most civil corporate aviation companies utilize web based or video based training modules, and its possible you will not receive a written manual for the jet you will fly. This is a money saving method for these companies. If you want a written manual, you might have to use FedEx Office or another printing company to print you a manual, at your own cost.
7- If your new company is not located nearby, consider where you are going to live during the duration of your training. If you do some upfront research, you might find there are ‘crash-pads’ in the local area, where you can rent a room economically, which includes access to the kitchen or other facilities. Be sure to find a ‘crash-pad’ that has internet access. If your training course is web based, you will need to access a high speed internet.
8- Don’t expect much time off during the initial training. As a new-hire, you will most likely be on probation for a year, and you will be expected to be where you’re supposed to be. Otherwise, they will find someone else to fill your slot.
9- Most airlines will expect you to complete a two day interview process; you will do a medical exam, simulator exam, written exam, and finally an interview with the new hire interview board. If you pass each of those exams, you will hopefully enjoy a long career at that airline.
Email me if you have specific questions: ByronCobb@jettutor.com
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Copyright Byron Cobb
