Training

General Preparations

2 CHAPTER

In most respects the actual flying of large and sophisticated turbine aircraft is not much different than what you’re used to. Basic flight controls are similar, and so are system operations like those for flaps and landing gear.

There are some fundamental differences, however, between these larger aircraft and the smaller piston or military planes that you’ve likely been flying. Effective coordination of a multiperson crew requires training and development of interpersonal skills. Many complex systems must be operated and monitored. Finally, there are huge differences in performance and response of turbine powerplants in heavy aircraft, especially when compared with fighters and lighter piston models.

Training

Fortunately, the days are largely over for operations where someone inexperienced and untrained hops into a sophisticated aircraft and blasts off. Statistics show that safety is greatly enhanced by good training. Besides, professional pilots find that the inconveniences of training are well justified by the pride and confidence that come from being sharp on the aircraft.

When the time comes for you to move up to sophisticated turbine aircraft, you’ll likely get some serious training: ground, flight, and often simulator. Extensive initial training is required by the FARs for Parts 135 and 121 operations. Insurance requirements (and common sense) usually dictate similar training for Part 91 operators. Of course, if you’re earning an aircraft type rating for any of these operations, you’ll again be getting the training.

Recurrent training is also required for most turbine operations. Pilots under Parts 135 and 121 must receive regular, recurrent ground instruction and flight checks to remain qualified in their positions. Quality Part 91 operators generally have similar recurrent training policies, even though not required by the FARs.

Once you’ve attended a few training programs, you’ll find that most are organized in a similar fashion. Let’s talk briefly about the types of information you’ll need to learn in ground school. Most ground schools are broken into two sections—aircraft and indoctrination. For the aircraft and engines there are limitations, systems, and procedures to learn. For indoctrination training (or “indoc”), pilots review applicable federal regulations and learn company policies.

Limitations, Systems, and Procedures

Limitations are generally memorization items including aircraft and engine limit weights, speeds, temperatures, capacities, and pressures. This can be a lot of information to learn in a short time, so experienced pilots often seek reference materials from the instructor ahead of time and start the memorization before beginning class.

Aircraft systems are normally taught at the schematic level, meaning what each system does, how it works, key components, how the parts are connected, and what happens under various operational and failure scenarios. The idea is to understand each system well enough to visualize it in a coherent manner and to thereby be able to operate and troubleshoot it effectively.

Procedures are the specific operating methods and sequences that pilots are to use when operating the aircraft. Topics include everything from when and how checklists are to be performed to when ground deicing must be ordered prior to takeoff.