SixPapaCharlie
May the force be with you
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- Aug 8, 2013
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Sixer
So having just wrapped this up, I feel like I just sat through defensive driving. You know, the state requires you to be here for 8 hours and take a quiz that everyone passes at the end.
30 hours of ground which was mostly watching crash videos and talking about how they impacted training, safety, as well as the causes.
A few times the person leading the effort would state "No need to take notes, you won't be tested on any of this". There was a 30 question quiz at the end that I understand "Nobody has ever failed".
Off to the sims which were truly amazing. Like legitimately recreates all of the sensations of flying. It is just really real.
They were a ton of fun and I learned what I am going to learn one day but no real "Here are the steps to do x, y, z" and also, "Don't worry, you won't be graded / tested on any of this"
From what I understand, going through all of this is a prerequisite to be able to start a test prep course and take the written.
So $5000 in order to be allowed to take a $150 PSI written exam. And the course does not prepare you for the written, you still have to go get a Sheppard or other course to prep.
I had fun, I learned some really interesting things about how jets fly but easily the most money I have spent to not gain any new skills.
Sim 1 was an A320, Sim 2 was a B737 and Sim 3 was an E145 so not really learning anything as it is a different plane every day. I like the E175 best by the way. I really wanted to like the 737 but it was my least favorite.
At any rate, I now have a letter that states I have taken an approved course and am eligible to take the ATP written.
After it is all said and done, I enjoyed it but I kind of feel like what's the point of this?
If you put me in a jet, I couldn't start it. I can tell you all about various crashes and that it takes a lot longer to stop a jet on a wet runway than a dry one and when you get a TCAS event, the plane will tell you to climb or dive.
I guess I don't understand what the intent of this ATP - CTP thing is supposed to be so it feels a little like Scientology. You can't move up until you have paid this money.
I am not complaining (too much) about the cost. I understand the sims are like $650 / hour but I am not sure what I got or why it was a required step.
30 hours of ground which was mostly watching crash videos and talking about how they impacted training, safety, as well as the causes.
A few times the person leading the effort would state "No need to take notes, you won't be tested on any of this". There was a 30 question quiz at the end that I understand "Nobody has ever failed".
Off to the sims which were truly amazing. Like legitimately recreates all of the sensations of flying. It is just really real.
They were a ton of fun and I learned what I am going to learn one day but no real "Here are the steps to do x, y, z" and also, "Don't worry, you won't be graded / tested on any of this"
From what I understand, going through all of this is a prerequisite to be able to start a test prep course and take the written.
So $5000 in order to be allowed to take a $150 PSI written exam. And the course does not prepare you for the written, you still have to go get a Sheppard or other course to prep.
I had fun, I learned some really interesting things about how jets fly but easily the most money I have spent to not gain any new skills.
Sim 1 was an A320, Sim 2 was a B737 and Sim 3 was an E145 so not really learning anything as it is a different plane every day. I like the E175 best by the way. I really wanted to like the 737 but it was my least favorite.
At any rate, I now have a letter that states I have taken an approved course and am eligible to take the ATP written.
After it is all said and done, I enjoyed it but I kind of feel like what's the point of this?
If you put me in a jet, I couldn't start it. I can tell you all about various crashes and that it takes a lot longer to stop a jet on a wet runway than a dry one and when you get a TCAS event, the plane will tell you to climb or dive.
I guess I don't understand what the intent of this ATP - CTP thing is supposed to be so it feels a little like Scientology. You can't move up until you have paid this money.
I am not complaining (too much) about the cost. I understand the sims are like $650 / hour but I am not sure what I got or why it was a required step.
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