SkyWest Ground School

[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.

 

[ILStoMinimums]

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...

Now whats all this SSN stuff? Seniority?

 

[ClearRight]

Once you make it to class, seniority is based on the last four digits of your SSN. 0000 good, 9999 bad (with the exception of present Skywest employees- they go to the top of the list).

 

[five-alive]

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

Again, everyone has their own methods, but I got through Skywest ok..I hung out with the guys during lunch to wind down and forget about the plane for a little while. Sometimes if I was bored before class starts I might screw around a little on the CBT. But balance is important. You have to have work and play time. You dont have to employ Splert's tatics to suceed, do what works for you.

 

[JOPILOT]

splert...splert

Here is one more tactic- stayed and did my homework right after class by myself so I absorbed the info, worked on the systems that were important on the CBT during the weekends and left all my books and thoughts at the training center! I was rarely there after 19:00 and maybe 4-5 hours on Saturday evening. I spent the rest of my time trying to get some exercise or being with the fam. The flows for the FO (RJ) are a joke, maybe worth 2-3 hours of your time the day before FTD! (RJ info only)

Now on the other hand if you are going into the EMB-120, take lunch if you can, get a study group, try to find a good sim partner and work your ass off! The EMB training is kind of a cluster and it takes a good deal of effort- Good Luck