surplus1 said:
I understand all the objections to PFT, etc. but I still have a dumb question(s) ---
Two pilots, each with the same basic qualifications and flight time, go to Flight Safety. Each takes an "initial" course in a particular airplane, completes the course, takes a check ride and emerges with a new type rating on his certificate. They attend the course at the same time (same instructor for classroom and sim) and they take the checkride with the same FAA inspector.
One of them (#1) writes a check to FSI for $20K, says goodbye and leaves. The other (#2) gives FSI a voucher from his company for $20K, says goodbye and leaves.
Q-1. Was the course and checkride for pilot #1 different from the course and checkride for pilot #2?
Q-2. Which one is more qualified and a better pilot at the end of the course, Pilot #1 or Pilot #2.
Q-3. One year later, after flying the same airplane for approximately the same number of hours, one of them is involved in a fatal accident. The investigation shows that the probable cause was pilot error. Which one had the accident, pilot #1 or pilot #2?
Q-4. What is the reason for your answer(s)?
Have you ever attended a FSI course?
A MONKEY could "pass" one.
If you "Fail" a FSI course you should be taken out back and shot. plain and simple.
All they do is train you to know the aircraft, thats thier job. They do it well.
It has nothing to do with your real world piloting skills.
You would not believe the things you see "Captains" doing in these sims.
By what you are saying is that when these two folks walk out of FSI they are both qualified Captains. Nothing could be further from the truth.
However...many lower level jobs (read PFT if you want) see them as Captains. They met the mins, they checked the box. Here is the aircraft, we have insurance. Or sometimes...here Real Capt, here is your PFT F/O - dont let him kill you...after all it only takes one real guy to make this happen...
Nobody WANTS to PFT. These people have been turned down by real employers for whatever reason...experience, skills, backgrounds,...whatever they are lacking..they have only one choice left - step down a level to the PFT world. BAMM - now they are pilots. Put that hat on, get the luggage and take the snapshot in front of the 1900 or the CRJ (or whatever) for mommy. I made it!!....and by the way, ask me 3 years later and "I didnt PFT". Im embarassed to explain it. It was my only hope.
Whatever happens a year from now has nothing to do with passing a FSI checkride, it has everything to do with the pilots skills, background, and experience as a whole.
Now, knowing that I would compare pilot 1 to pilot 2 and I bet you can tell a huge difference.
Just a guess..
MY THEORY: (I know...look out!)....Each and every accident is a chain of events. Why intentional start with a weak link in the cockpit?
call me crazy...