Learning "Profiles?"

[BoDEAN]

With all the good tips on the "flows" post, thought I would ask. Is it more beneficial to do this in pairs with your sim partner, or is there something to gain practicing them solo?

 

[Big Duke Six]

I found that I learned profiles much the same way as I learned flows.

Just spend some time going through the profile diagram until you have it down fairly well, then chairfly it and visualize yourself at each point in the profile doing whatever it is you need to do at that particular point. Repetition is the key. Keep doing it, don't let yourself get distracted in the middle of one (i.e. FINISH each one every time you start it!) and soon you'll be doing them in your sleep.

Which is nice, because if you've ever flown freight, you know you actually DO do them in your sleep.

 

[DGdaPilot]

I did them with my partner once in awhile, but I think he benefitted from it more than I did. But that's just my learning style. Make sure you go through them with your partner at least a few times before you waltz into your sim sessions. You want to go in ahead of the game, because even doing so, you'll still feel like you're behind.

 

[DrewBlows]

I found that I learned best when I knew what I was doing when I pushed a button or flipped a switch. It didn't really matter if I did it with a partner or solo. I'm sure everyone is different, but I wouldn't bother studying flows beyond a general knowledge until I had a good understanding of the systems. Again, everyone is different so you may do better studying flows by yourself ahead of time, or you may do better studying with a partner. It's really up to you. Either way, once you learn them you definitely need to pratice flows and call outs with your simulator partner until you both have them down in your sleep. Don't go into the sim if you both aren't totally comfortable with all of your procedures.

Each company is different. For example, at my first company, stalls absolutely couldn't be done proficiently without your partner making the proper call outs, but at my second company call outs were very simple, and if your partner missed one, no big deal. At my first company your partner's preformance reflected your performance, so studying with your partner was a must. At my second company it wasn't as important, but still benefitial.