Britpilot
Gear Lifter
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2002
- Posts
- 849
guyincognito said:
Call me crazy, but as much time as I spend in the back of your planes I'd like to know that at least one of the guys up front knows his aircraft intimately, because if and when the shizit hits the fan, I don't want 2 guys who've been in the airplane for a combined total of 43 hours flipping through the manual trying to troubleshoot the thing.
To be a Captain operating under Part 121 requires:
A type rating in the aircraft to be operated (this will require you to become "intimate" with the aircraft and all it.s systems as well as demonstrating the ability to operate said aircraft in all modes of flight, including emergencies)
Complete annual recurrent ground training (systems, CRM, company operations and pass written tests on said ground school)
Complete (succesfully) a simulator session every six months. This must include such items as; emergency procedures, low vis take offs, Cat 2 approaches ect.
Complete an annual "line check" conducted by a conpany check airman during a routine flight.
At any time be checked by an inspector from the FAA
Bottom line is; it is not easy to become certified aircrew on 121 operations, even when new to an airplane there is very little "book flipping" at any phase of flight. In fact usually you know the aircraft the best when fresh from training.
Experiance will improve your working knowledge of the aircraft and "feel" for it's handling.
Time on the aircraft and age of the flight crew has little bearing on safety of flight when it comes to 121 operations.