How are you doing for flight sim time?

[24 carat]

Get this:

From the website of the ATP flightschool, prerequisites for joining the Airline Transition Program...

To Begin at Flight Stage 1, the Private Pilot Program

• Ability to Fly a PC-Based Flight Simulator
• 2 Hours of Flight Instruction in Any Aircraft Within the Last 6 Months
• FAA First Class Medical Certificate
• 2 Years of College or Equivalent Work Experience

These prerequisites must be met prior to the class start date, if not prior to scheduling.

Point nr1 made laugh. What, are they going to give me a checkride on my Microsoft Fligh Sim before I can join?

 

[C601]

Speaking of flightsim..... Microsoft Flight Simulator X just been announced.....

http://www.simhq.com/_air5/air_174a.html

Screenshots page 2

 

[Ralgha]

So if I haven't had 2 hours of previous instruction, they're not going to accept my thousands upon thousands of dollars? Yeah, right.

 

[rfresh]

Many years ago when I was getting my instrument ticket, I purchased a PC-based software program that was designed to help an instrument pilot maintain 'currency' from a thinking point of view.

The program was like a flight simulator program except it actually had full logic and you could take a flight and everything worked just like in a real plane.

I would turn on the autopilot and fly that way because it was the IFR thinking process that was important, not whether I could hand fly the PC sim. I learned how to fly the ADF with all kinds of winds.

In time, these IFR programs died away; I think because of the marketing hype around MS Flight Simulator and some of the other like programs. I currently have MS FS 100th Anniversary and still it is not 100% correct for IFR flying so I continue to consider it to be 'entertainment'. I have many friends who love to fly it who are not pilots but because they can 'fly' MS FS they think they *are* pilots and could fly a real airplane.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

It says, "Ability to Fly a PC-Based Flight Simulator." It doesn't say to what level. I think anyone who can write a check for that school has the, "Ability to Fly a PC-Based Flight Simulator"

 

[24 carat]

I think you're right CessnaCaptn. Makes you wonder why bother stating it as a prerequisite. Just looks dumb.

 

[cforst513]

there was a conversation somewhere on this board about some guy who got his CFII and MEI instructor ratings in a weekend. All-ATPs and other pilot factories really frighten me. you couldn't pay me enough to attend these places.

 

[Partridge]

Speaking of pilot factories, I came across this guy once who had finished all of his licences and ratings in a period of three months. That's right, did the Commercial, IFR, CFI, CFII and Multi all in one half a semester! Had no previous experience either.

He didn't have much good to say about the program or the flight school and he certainly did not feel ready to instruct other people. Told me he just didn't have time to consolidate anything during the training and then suddenly he was off instructing people himself. Scary!

 

[rfresh]

I live about 5 minutes from Alteon Training in Long Beach, CA. Alteon is Boeing's Flight Training (in Long Beach) arm. I go down there with a fellow pilot a few times a year and we rent one of their full flight simulators for a couple of hours. Usually an MD-90 or B-737-700. Much better than using MS Flight Simulator!!

 

[avbug]

Programs like that are designed to weed out folks like me, who can't fly a PC based simulator to save my life, lacks any degree, lacks the recent instruction and training, and couldn't pay for the program with even the most liberal credit or trade for bags or sand, to begin with. (if TonyC is reading that, he's probably cringing at this very moment--sorry--no degree).

They're only taking the cream of the crop, it appears.

Now, where's that number for trucking school?




--the truth is, all respect to the truckers here and elsewhere, I couldn't pass a check in a truck no matter how much instruction or training given. I'm a bad driver, and the first step is admitting it. At least I can call the number, and there's no computer simulation involved...

 

[Amish RakeFight]

To Begin at Flight Stage 1, the Private Pilot Program

• Ability to Fly a PC-Based Flight Simulator
• 2 Hours of Flight Instruction in Any Aircraft Within the Last 6 Months
• FAA First Class Medical Certificate
• 2 Years of College or Equivalent Work Experience

These prerequisites must be met prior to the class start date, if not prior to scheduling.

The purpose of this is marketing. Most prospective students will feel intimidated and afraid to make that call to enroll. They might feel that they aren't "pilot material" so to speak.

By listing some bogus requirement, it makes them feel more qualified and capable, so that they feel they have a chance at succeeding.

ATP wants to attract students, and by outlining some easily met requirement, it attracts more students who have some PC simulator time.

If a hot girl posted an ad in a personal ad, she might get less responses than if her minimum qualifications for a date were "ability to kiss."

There are a lot of sim pilots that wouldnt think of getting involved in actual flying, but this "requirement" of PC sim ability makes them feel like they are capable and thus will be more apt to apply to ATP.

 

[avbug]

By listing some bogus requirement, it makes them feel more qualified and capable, so that they feel they have a chance at succeeding.

That makes sense, although they still scared me off.

I'm changing my resume to say "hasn't crashed anything too badly yet."

That should be hook, line, and sinker for the discriminating employer who doesn't want to be burdened with too proficient a pilot.

If a hot girl posted an ad in a personal ad, she might get less responses than if her minimum qualifications for a date were "ability to kiss."

Wow, flashbacks of dating my ex-wife.

"Did the earth move for you, my darling?"

"Well, it could have been worse. Let's save on electricity, and turn off the light..."