For the SWA new hires...

[SWAPoolie]

I just recieved the pass737 cards in the mail and they are pretty good. The flows don't include the expanded explanations so you have to use the FO starter kit, from SW, anyway. I also got the Cockpit Companion SW 737 guide and it's a great systems overview. I used the pass737 flows with the MS 737 sim from PMDG solutions and it's awesome. I can click each switch and see the lights and everything. I started up the plane from cold and dark and worked my way through the take off before my PC froze. It's like being in the Sim and flipping switches!! I cross reference each flow with the CC737 guide to understand the system behind it. The FO starter kit from SWA is good but you need to print out the flows to use them with the PMDG software. Obviously! The FCP panel is also dead on realistic and can be used for the profiles. Haven't gotten to the profiles yet though.

I always feel like I need to study twice as much as everyone else and it's really helping me.

Good luck all.

 

[SWA GUY]

The QRH and the FOM work very well for me.

I'll admit I broke down and bought "Gotcha Gouge" from Capt "Wild" Bill Justice a few years back. Nice to have, but not necessary.

 

[SWAPoolie]

The QRH and the FOM work very well for me.

I'll admit I broke down and bought "Gotcha Gouge" from Capt "Wild" Bill Justice a few years back. Nice to have, but not necessary.

Yep, but tough to study all those flows and memory items on a pc screen.

I'm just offering help to those who are working hard too.

 

[RedEye1]

The PMDG 737 NG is nice, it's floating around the file sharing networks.

 

[canyonblue737]

Let me boldface everything I say with the following: YOU DO NOT NEED A SINGLE THING OTHER THAN WHAT THE COMPANY PROVIDES AND YOU WILL PASS TRAINING WITH FLYING COLORS.

That said... the Bulfer book, PASS cards, and the PMDG sim (with 800/900 add-on) were all excellent tools when I went through training. The PMDG is stunning accurate even for in flight performance which is near exact with the real plane. The FMC is also very, very close and for the way SWA flies the FMC it is basically exact.

 

[Spudbud]

SWA Poolie--with all the spare time you're going to have in Dallas, make sure you call ahead and let the hotel know you'll need an extra ration of hand cream when the maids restock your room every morning! All that extra stuff and prep is nice if you have the time and money but SWA training is a 6 week marathon, not a sprint. I used the PASS card for a bit but the PASS flows and profiles pretty much collected dust once I got my SWA books. Until you can actually sit in a trainer and build some hand/eye muscle memory there's not too much benefit in getting wrapped up in the flows. Look at the memory items & limits, enjoy your time at home & have fun in Dallas.

 

[chase]

SWAPoolie,

Thanks for passing along some good points about how to get ready for Dallas. Everyone prepares differently & for those who wish to walk in with more than just the rudimentary training (SWA can even train those...idiots like me) you've given folks a good blueprint on a good method. You'll be able to enjoy the program alot more & have plenty of time to enjoy Dallas, Texas Rangers or other side trips due to your pre-study. Do you have a website for that PMDG program you mentioned? Is it a shareware program or one that is on the open market somewhere for purchase? Again, thanks for offering your insight to those who are to follow....see you in Dallas

 

[SWAPoolie]

Spudbud, some of us need to study extra to pass. I'm one of them. Everyone says it's great training, good times, no problems. However, I don't want to be the one guy who didn't make it because he didn't prepare enough. Enough to me may overboard for someone else. I got my type years ago and don't remember a thing about the 737 except it's bigger than the RJ I'm flying now.

That being said, my goal is to have all the memory items and flows down to the point where it's like I'm online and there is a 15 minute turn and 2 minute taxi. If I can, I'll have all the profiles down and fly them with the FCP. This way I won't have to spend sim time learning the FCP and can concentrate on learning how to fly it again. Basically so the sim will not be a new experience but something familiar.

Thanks Chase I'm not trying to promote the website but it's precisionmanuals.com.

 

[KTHornet]

The PASS cards are nice but I've found many guys prefer the cards from this site, http://www.b737cards.com/ . I do agree with SWA GUY that the FOM and QRH are all you need!

Good luck,
KT

 

[Mr Hat]

Do you have a website for the PMDG? That sounds pretty cool! I hope I need it.....or "could use it"....soon!

 

[Spudbud]

SWA Poolie--good on 'ya for the ambitious program--hopefully you can remember all that stuff after the 4 weeks it takes from showing up on Day 1 until your first CPT. I was just trying to put the brakes on the New Hire Spending Frenzy (PASS Cards/Flows/Profiles, Cockpit Companion, FMC Guide, New Luggage/Brain Bags/Uniforms/Leather Jackets/Headsets, etc) that tends to arise on this forum every 6-9 weeks before a SWA class starts. SWA will give you plenty of time in Dallas to make it through the program but cash flow is pretty thin--thank god for the 1/2/3!!!

 

[Mr Hat]

Oh, now leather jacket...you need one of those. My company has them as well and I love mine. Get the one that has medium softness.

 

[Swerpipe]

Precision Manuals

The PMDG software is payware and can be downloaded (not my recommendation) from www.precisionmanuals.com

It is better to order the CDs (two of them) from www.aerosoft.com

The first CD is for the basic package (-600 and -700) model and the 2nd CD is for the -800/-900 model. The 2nd is really and augmentation and upgrade to the 1st CD. For example the SWA round dial EFIS is provided on the 2nd CD as well as many other FMC, flight modeling improvements to the first CD.

If you just want to fly, you can get the -200 model from www.tinmouse.org which flies just like the HPA -200 sim in Dallas.

 

[SouthTex]

I am sure this has been asked before, but is there a recommended place to get the type or will any 73 type do.

Thanks for the info and congrats the new guys.

 

[SWAPoolie]

Let me boldface everything I say with the following: YOU DO NOT NEED A SINGLE THING OTHER THAN WHAT THE COMPANY PROVIDES AND YOU WILL PASS TRAINING WITH FLYING COLORS.

That said... the Bulfer book, PASS cards, and the PMDG sim (with 800/900 add-on) were all excellent tools when I went through training. The PMDG is stunning accurate even for in flight performance which is near exact with the real plane. The FMC is also very, very close and for the way SWA flies the FMC it is basically exact.

CanyonBlue737, do you think the -700 PMDG is an accurate simulation of the airplane? Also does SWA have units to practice or simulator programs on the PCs at the training center? That's one thing I'm not worried about. I picked up the CRJ FMS in about an hour but I had a program to practice with before getting into the simulator and wasting time trying to learn it.

 

[Benhuntn]

All I can tell you is they turn F-15/F-16 guys into airline pilots in just 6 weeks and they do just fine, so I am sure you will have no problem....just kidding to fighter guys. You know I luv you....

 

[canyonblue737]

Spudbud, some of us need to study extra to pass. I'm one of them.

you have never been to SWA training. you show up, you work hard, you pass.

 

[canyonblue737]

CanyonBlue737, do you think the -700 PMDG is an accurate simulation of the airplane? Also does SWA have units to practice or simulator programs on the PCs at the training center? That's one thing I'm not worried about. I picked up the CRJ FMS in about an hour but I had a program to practice with before getting into the simulator and wasting time trying to learn it.

they have an exact software simulation (even more exact than the PMDG one) of the FMC in the schoolhouse, but you don't "fly" the airplane, it kinda autotakes off and then you power it around the sky using only the MCP and FMC. works really well and you can use the software anytime your not in class. i liked the PMDG sim because it simulates the whole experience of flying the airplane from the overhead, to the glass, to the FMC, to the thrust levers, heck to what you see out the window.