SkyWest Ground School

[ILStoMinimums]

To those who have gone through GS, which would you say is the most challenging part of training? Sim, systems, indoc,etc?

 

[Splert]

Paying the bills.

The SIM for me. I had never used a flight director or a sky pointer. Once I nailed those down, the SIM. was easier but never easy.

 

[WMUdz]

Is there a fitness center at the candlewood? What is in the kitchens?
thanks

 

[Splert]

Yes, but it is very small.

The kitchens include everything you need except an oven.

When you check-in try and get one of the suites. It has a bigger table and has two rooms. A bedroom and the a living/kitchen room.

Also, if you can bring a humidifier and your own pillows.

Good luck

 

[WMUdz]

appreciate all the help guys.
JD

 

[Jeepman]

If you get the RJ DEFINATELY SPEND TIME IN THE CBT!!! I found that I retained more info from the CBT. It is an excellent presentation of the systems. Go in there during lunch and study a system. It takes a little while to cover, but it definately helps you remember the system.

 

[KingAirKiddo]

The key to ground school is time management and concentrating on what needs to be completed for the next day. For instance, don’t get caught up in the ”war story” game between breaks in class and at lunch. The time you scud ran a 152 at night with one mag. inop. is cool and stuff but it does not help learn all the crap they will throw at you. Instead, use this time to complete the homework that is due the next day. Also bring and then eat lunch at your desk and again work on your homework. You will be the only one on the first day and by the 3rd most everyone will be doing the same as you.

If you know someone who already works at SkyWest then have them give you access to SWOL and down load the SOP. Call FS in SLC and get a copy of the flight deck diagram and start the learning the flows. Specifically the safety check and the originating flow with FFOD checks. Not just where the buttons are but what lights come one when you press the FIRE TEST BUTTON, etc. Then chair fly the normal and emergency calls and profiles. If you get these handled BEFORE class then class will go a lot smoother for you. GS is barely enough time to get everything done. GS is 6 days a week 6:00 to 23:00 job. Take a break on day 7 and work form 7:00 to 22:00.

Also is you are senior within your class then bid for the last session of FTD and SIM, if you are not, then make friends with those who are and bid with one of them.

Most importantly have a good attitude.

Good luck.

Splert [/QUOTE


I think this is a bit of an overkill, personally. Splert certainly has some good points, such as effectively managing your time, knowing profiles and limitations, etc. but make sure that you give yourself some "off time" as well. Make sure that you take a couple of hours a day to wind down and do something that keeps you feeling relaxed, such as working out, watching some TV, or simply enjoying a leisurely dinner. I do not work for Skywest, but I have made it through two initial training events in the past 14 months or so at two different airlines without a single hiccup by using a strategy of working hard and relaxing as needed. Going too far overboard will burn you out very quickly and may actually be a detriment as you progress in the training.

Just my $.02...best of luck to you.

 

[Splert]

The last part was a joke. Take Sunday off.

At SkyWest you need to work at it 6 days a week. Don't fool yourself. You will kick yourself in the a$$ if you relax and watch reruns of the A-Team instead of preparing for the next day. School, homework and Static take up a lot of time. GS is 8 to 5, then dinner and then all of a sudden its 19:00 and you have homework and static to prepare for the next day. Do your homework during the breaks and lunch. If you are junior in the class you will have one day between GS and FTD and SIM. If this were you I would recommend 6 days a week.

If you think you are hot $hit going in and you don't put in the effort I hope you have a back up plan. But what the heck do I know I just work here.

Splert

 

[KingAirKiddo]

Geez, Splert...relax, will ya?

All I was trying to say is that the guy will definitely need to work hard, but not to the point of pulling his hair out.

Lighten up, Francis!

 

[bayoubandit]

Do the homework in groups. The most effective way to get through school is a study group. We stayed at the schoolhouse after class and did the homework, discussed weak points, and had fun with it. Then go to the hotel and review the next days lesson, eat, watch a little TV, talk on the phone, whatever you have to do to get your mind off of airplanes for awhile. Take the 1st weekend to catch up, clear up any confusion, and then try to read ahead.

Like I said in my previous post, everyone has their own way of doing things. This isn't scripture your reading here!

I recommend staying on a schedule. I wouldn't stay up all night trying to study. Studying is like flying, when you get fatiged, your brain is useless.

 

[No.W.]

Study Groups are cool...but...

I think the person who said everyone is different has a point. I tried studying in groups during initial ground school at SKW, but I found studying alone was more effective. I also found time to blow off steam...that is definitely needed. Having a good attitude is great advice...and probably the most important thing. I have been through two initial training classes at two different airlines(CoEx and SKYW), and while there was a definite challenge...the training was just that TRAINING. Relax, but take it seriously, I am sure you will do well!

 

[Laboule]

Skyw

Give me a break...Skywest training is so much easier than other regionals...other airlines dig a lot deeper than Skywest does. Everything is spoonfed. Some guys don't even get the packet until the first day and it's not a problem.

 

[Airspur]

Has anybody from the early March interviews gotten
any feedback about class dates - other than the guys
starting in the jet this week? I know they said May,
but the sooner I can find out, the better.

 

[RoyalAviation1]

Early march I heard will be about May or so.

 

[Dave Benjamin]

The Candlewood has an exercise room with a couple of treadmills, one weight machine, bike, and a stair-stepper.

Lots of good advice offered so far. Don't try to tackle too much before you show up for class. Memorize the limitations, emergency memory items (only 3 now for the EMB), and also know which procedures are found on the QRC. Once you get to the sim you don't want to be calling for the QRC if the procedure isn't on it.

When you learn the flows remember the first step is developing the muscle memory of where your hands go. Don't get into the details right away. Just concentrate on where your hands need to be. Then you can start tackling each item.

One of the best check airmen in the business used to describe the EMB as an "action-reaction" airplane. Any time you do something you are either looking for confirmation that the command was accepted or you are making a response to a control input. IE: With flap extension you need to roll in nose down trim. Any power lever movement or pitch change means adjusting the rudder trim. Know what you're looking for or what reaction you need to make to an input. Know what lights should come on or go off when you make a FCP input.

SKYW has an excellent training department. I've talked to former SKYW folks that left for a major and they frequently say that the training at SKYW was superior. If you show up well prepared with a good attitude you'll do fine. Don't plan on spending weekends back home. You don't need to study 24/7 but you will be busy. You really want to have those flows down cold when you start FTD and sim. Pick a compatible sim partner. You'll be spending a lot of time with him/her. Look for someone who is motivated and takes the training seriously.

If you have a choice of aircraft I'd go with the EMB. 1st year pay is the same and you'll spend less time on reserve in the EMB. After the years is up then you can decide to transition to the RJ or hang out for the EMB upgrade.

If you are coming out of the piston world another book to consider is the "Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual" by Holt and Brown.

Good luck to you!

 

[hurryup&wait]

Has anybody from the early March interviews gotten
any feedback about class dates

bump

 

[umkay]

I was in the original April 5 (?) class of 30 for the EMB, but 10 of us got bumped to May 3 (based on social security numbers). As of yesterday, the May 3 class is still a go.

 

[umkay]

oh yeah, my interview was March 1

 

[Rogue5]

The 10 who were pushed back to next month were not chosen by SSN, they were chosen by date of interview.

Once you get to groundschool, THEN those last 4 digits will rule you for the rest of your career...

 

[skywav8r]

If your at the candlewood the hotel to the south has free drinks and the hotel to the north has free breakfast. Just act like you belong and enjoy.