Snow moves to FlightSafety Atlanta

[Snow]

Hi gang, well I got accepted into the first officer internship program at the Atlanta FlightSafety training center. Looks like I'll be getting SIC qualified in the Citation at first, with maybe other aircraft in the future. Also looks like they will be able to offer me 40hrs+ a week, which is good, cause those student loan repayments loom in the future. First 2 or so weeks will be unpaid training, but it's nice to be getting something for free for once! Jet training no less! Initial commitment is 3 months, but I hear most get the option to continue on, and if all goes well, hopefully that's what I'll be doing.

So been looking for a place in Atlanta, if anyone out there has a room to rent that's fairly close to the airport give me a holler. Fortunately all my belonging will fit in my car, don't know if there will be room for passengers though.

I won't be doing a daily post like before, cause I'll be busy and it's unlikely I'll have easy net access, but I'll drop in from time to time to let you all know what I'm upto. For those of you interested the aircraft training available at Atlanta includes, King Airs, ATRs, Brazillas, CRJ, Citation 1, 2 & Bravo, Jetstars, Learjets 25 to 60.

Till next time.

[ananoman]

Start making your note cards and study the memory items and limitations ASAP. The earlier you get this down, the easier your training will be.

[scoobs]

How long is this intern?

[FLflyer]

[ QUOTE ]
Initial commitment is 3 months, but I hear most get the option to continue on, and if all goes well, hopefully that's what I'll be doing.


[/ QUOTE ]

[Snow]

I'm going to be back in Vero on the 18th if any of you JCers want to meet me before I head off to Atlanta on Wednesday.

[Snow]

Monday, January 31st 2005

Well I've been here at FlightSafety Atlanta for a week and a day. Enjoyed a free lunch Friday and endured an ice storm the weekend just gone. Things are going well, I've been assigned office duties last week but got to sit in on my first ground school today. Just sat in on a recurrent class today for the Learjet 45 before I start my initial next Monday on the 7th. I recived all the checklists, POH, cockpit poster etc for the Lear 45 last week and have been reading them past few days. I'm hoping to have completely read the POH before I start ground school. I will hopefully get checked out for the simulator soon so I will able to get aquanted with the location of switches and things for my checklists and do some 'chair flying'. My initial training will be 6 days at 8hrs a day, so any preperation I do in advance will come in helpful, because I doubt I'll be upto a whole lot of study after 8hrs of class (8am to 5pm plus 1hr for lunch)

The center is really neat, there's 15 or so full motion flight simulators here as well as mockups for flight attendant training. If I'm free on Wednesday I might even get to do some crew fire training at the airport fire station. Somthing about me going into a burning aircraft with a gas mask on, sounds interesting!

The center is located in Deltaville USA There's like a mini city of Delta buildings here, everything from maintance hangers to credit unions. The Delta sim center is right next door. Also the amount of air traffic here at Hartsfield is mind boggling! Every time I go outside I see simultanious takeoffs going on. Look down the approach end and i think I counted at least 15 pairs of landing lights all, lined up, looking like some kinda stairway to heaven (no pun intended) It's a avation watcher's paradise, but for maybe not a lot of my favorite aircraft to be seen, the mighty 747! Lots of CRJs, ATRs, MD's 737s, 757s and 767s however. I live just 2 miles north of the airport, so there's a little noise but nothing overhead, and having lived at an airport for the past year and a bit I hardly notice at all.

Well that's all for now, it's really exciting being here, especially after having my first taste of Learjet training today.

Till next time...

[Snow]

Friday, 18th February

Hi gang, I haven't posted in a while cause I've been flat chat doing the Learjet 45 initial, I've been here for the past 16 days in a row, including last weekend and Sat and Sun this weekend. Although the weekends are purely voluntary, but it give my sim partner and myself some extra time to try some stuff out in the simulator without an instructor failing everything on us, lol. Training sessions are 4hrs long with a short break in between to swap seats, get a coffee etc. And I can tell you your busy doing something all the time, so often there isn't any time to just play around with something to see how it works better, hence coming in on the weekends. Plus my sim partner hasn't flown in a while so it's good to practice some hands on flying too. It's been busy but I've really been enjoying it and I've learnt a lot about jet systems and working in a crew environment, but there's still lots to learn. I got my first paycheck last week, which was nice cause this is my first real full time job, even though I'm technically part time, I've still be working close to 40hrs a week.

Well it's Friday so I'm going to sign off and go get 'a frosty adult beverage' as Doug would put it.

Cheers,

Snow

[bLizZuE]

Glad to hear things are going well, I hope to be in your situation soon.

Keep the updates coming

[767676]

Snow, thanks for your wonderful "logbook entries" as you get started and up to Vr there @ Flight Safety/Atlanta. As you have found early in your tour as First officer in a Flight Safety training center, it doesn't get any better. You are surrounded by the best instructors, and the best level D simulaters in the world. You must be very excited about your future as a professional pilot. I'm sure you can't wait to get your second in command signoff so you can start flying with corporate pilots.
Snow, in my estimation the Flight Safety Academy's First Officer program is the ticket to success for anyone striving to become a professional pilot. The program gives you tons of free simulator experience ( the best value in the world), and of course you are surounded by professional pilots and instructors that are the gold standard. You are the luckest guy alive Snow. TailWinds Bill Wagner/Chief pilot Townsend Engineering Co. Citation X Piper Cheyenne

[Snow]

Wednesday, 2nd March

Just finished the Lear 45 intial program last week, my sim partner has gone off back to the UK to fly the real thing and I got a payrise, so everyone's happy! So this week I'm back to office duties, more specificaly auditing instructor's record folders. It has been interesting to look at the previous flying experence the instructors have had, many having several type ratings and over 10,000 hours! I'm learning more about aviation everyday. I think they're going to let me work for a week or two and then perhaps put me into the Citaion II next, which is nice cause I need the money lol

Also I've ran into a few people from the Academy, two who are new hires with ASA, one who was up here to interview for the ASA direct track, and I even ran into my old instructor who was here to interview for a position with ASA.

There's a Lear 45 recurrent class going on this week but they have an even number so it doesn't look like I'll be getting in the sim this week. (well not paid time anyhow) Maybe next week.

[Snow]

Monday, 7th March

Well I took last Friday off as I was feeling a bit crook (sick) I went back to bed Friday morning and didn't wake up till mid afternoon, seems I needed the rest! Also finally got that $200 refund from my insurance company, so now I don't have to worry about living off $45 for 2 weeks lol Also bought Grand Turismo 4 on Sunday (really cool 'racing simulator' for the Playstation 2) and I can say it totally rocks! They even have some Australian cars on there, sweet!

Still unsure if I'll be riding on the recurrent class this week, but next week for 2 weeks there's a single person doing the Learjet 45 initial program, so I'm pretty sure I'll be flying with that person. That will make for another 36hrs or so in the sim! Also I looked up in the FARs that you can count 50hrs instrument and 100hrs total time in the sim towards your ATP time requirements. So that'll bring me 100hrs closer to that ATP!

All to report for now.

[IFLYRJS]

Snow I saw someone in a vero uniform up there last week while doing my 6 month ride and did not think to ask if it was you.

[Snow]

Could of been me, the other guy here has really short hair.

Friday, March 18th

Well they have me riding with another initial client this week in the evenings, again another Brit, although this one has more jet experience so the learning curve isn't as steep. Also sat in on a few recurrent rides this week and last. I learn a lot by doing that because they cover items in recurrent that isn't covered in initial.

Checked out a flight school south of here, they said they might need someone for the weekends, so hopefully I'll get some actual flight time with that. They fly a Piper Cadet mostly, which is nice cause I have most of my time in that aircraft and know

[Snow]

Thursday, April 7th

Well I just finished the 4 day Citation II initial ground school today as well as been flying with a recurrent person in the Lear 45 in the evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Luckly the Citation is a bit less complex and not as much study was required, especially since there is no FMS or any glass instruments in this aircraft. But I'm happy that I'm being trained on it becase there are a lot more Citation recurrent people coming in than on the 45 and I should get more oportunities to fly with clients. It's not too hard to fly, controls require less effort to move, it's kinda like flying a jet powered Cessna 206. Landing speeds are often under 100kts I'll start my sim training for it in a week's time, although I've played around in there a little already. First time in there I couldn't find where most of the switches were, little less what they all were for. Least I'll be able to stay current on 'green data' (non FMS) flying.

[cime_sp]

I have a buddy of mine flying the citation II and he says that he loves it. Very easy to fly. Less than 100 kts on approach, pretty sweet.

In the CRJ we're usually looking at something more in the 145 kt range!

[Snow]

Tuesday, April 26th

Well today I gave a tour to the ASA direct track guys who flew up from Vero Beach in two Seminoles. They got a little IFR flying today with the cellings being about 500ft. Can't imagine there's many 4 seater aircraft that fly into Hartsfield, I wonder what the controlers thought about it. I showed them around the center and inside just a few of the simulators as most of the sims were in use today. Followed up by a free pizza lunch and then they were off to tour the ASA building before flying back down to the Academy.

I was suposed to fly in the Citation this week but I guess a client cancled and now they have a even number and don't require me. I do beleive I'll get to fly in the Lear next week however.

Recently I've been checking out the other simulators in my spair time, so far I've flown the EMB-120 Brazilla, King Air 350, CRJ 200 and Lear 31. I will say there's a lot more to those airliners than the corporate jets I've been flying, the EMB-120 in particular has a sea of switches and guages on the overhead panel. Plus flying single engine is more difficult in a turboprop than a jet.

I've been making contacts at a little FBO at an airport south of here and I might be able to get some flight time in a Warrior for a return to service test flight sometime this week. Hopefully I still still fly a GA aircraft lol Also might be able to get a part time flight instructing position at the Falcon Academy at Peachtree City Airport.

Well that's all to report for now, feel free to ask any questions you may have.

[cimepilot]

I went to FSA and in fact I met Snow in KORL when he first started. Just curious as to what advantage these interships give you rather than intructing. I instructed for 12 months after graduated FSA and now have a cargo job that I love. Just curious as to why someone would choose the internship over instructing since you do not log any flight time?

[rausda27]

[ QUOTE ]
I went to FSA and in fact I met Snow in KORL when he first started. Just curious as to what advantage these interships give you rather than intructing. I instructed for 12 months after graduated FSA and now have a cargo job that I love. Just curious as to why someone would choose the internship over instructing since you do not log any flight time?

[/ QUOTE ]

Simple...NETWORKING ! ! ! !

[PhilosopherPilot]

The internships are the most valuable for those that instruct for the 800 hours before they participate in the internship. Those are the people that usually get a job immediately after the internship is complete. Several of the very low time interns have gotten a job from a client immediately, however.

One of my friends is at the Tucson center, and he is on an assigment flying with a client in their Lear doing some sort of test flying. (Testing fuel burns, etc. I think.) He has his ATP written complete, and should have the ATP itself complete soon, so he is qualified to take a job should one come up.

Don't get me wrong, it is an awesome opportunity for anyone, even those with little time, because you end up meeting so many professional pilots who may need a co-pilot in the future.

G

[Snow]

In addition you also get to learn about flying jets, advanced aircraft systems, glass cockpit, flight directors, autopilots, all that cool stuff you don't see a lot of while flight instructing. One of the main reasons airline applicants fail their ride is because a lack of familiarity with these systems.

Also you do get to log up to 50hrs simulated instrument and 100hrs sim towards total time requirements for your ATP.

Plus you get to observe how professional pilots & crews operate. I've sat in on several sim sessions as an observer and I can say I've learn't something new each time.

Lastly it's fun! I have to pinch myself sometimes that I'm actually getting paid to fly in a million dollar simulator that you can earn your type rating in without having ever flown that actual aircraft. Apart from some taxiing issues, these sims fly just like the real aircraft they represent. I feel confident I could go out and safely fly the real thing if the opportunity arose. *crosses fingers*

Eventually I hope to flight instruct elsewhere and fly in the sims, getting the best of both worlds.

[SteveC]

[ QUOTE ]
...One of the main reasons airline applicants fail their ride is because a lack of familiarity with these systems.

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you talking about the interview session, or at the end of training???

[Snow]

I was referring to the interview 'ride', either that or a lack of good IFR skills, they don't give you any training in that, they expect you to be a good IFR pilot already. Least that's what I heard from Expressjet.

Friday May 6th.

Well I flew in the Learjet 45 with a local person this week, (as opposed to an international client) He wanted to finish early so instead of the 2hrs a day over 3 days we did 3hrs a day over 2 days. This is only the 2nd recurrent person I've flown with and you get to see some malfunctions that you don't see in initial training so it was interesting to experience. Looks like I'll be paired up with another initial client a week from now.

Also I got to do some real flying last week. Went up with the FBO owner in one of their aircraft and did a little night sightseeing. We flew over Hartsfield at about 4000 agl, did a little tour over the city and came back. Was quite fun, and yes I can still fly a small plane Also if anyone in the Atlanta area wants some flight instruction from yours truly, send me a message. They have a nice fleet of aircraft there and everyone is friendly.

[Snow]

Tuesday, May 17th

Well it's been busy lately, was working on the CRJ 700 courseware development wed-fri last week and yesterday, as well as being in the Citation Thursday and Friday. Was in the sim yesterday, today and again on Wednesday and Thursday. Scheduled to be in the sim about 8hrs today and tommarrow, 5:45am start and going though to around 9pm Might take an extended lunch, undecided as yet because there's a lot of work waiting for me in the standards office because I was unable to do it lately do to working on the CRJ program. Recently found out I get overtime so all the 9hr days are not unrewarded I don't minding working a little more cause I'm saving up for my road trip next month with an old mate from high school.

Overall things are going great here in Atlanta, everyone is friendly and professional, a great place to be working.

[Snow]

Tuesday May 31st

Ah, feeling much better after the long weekend and the 4 day week ahead sure doesn't hurt either! Especially after last week! Tuesday thru Thursday last week I had a 6am start and Wednesday and Thursday I didn't get off work until after 10pm Granted I took a 2hr lunch but that still makes for a long work day! I pretty much went home, ate something, went to bed, got up 5hrs later, and went back to work. I guess I have my first taste of an airline schedule! I was in the sim over 10hrs on two of those days. By Thursday night I was really beginning to feel the lack of sleep set in, nothing a dose of caffeine didn't fix. It was interesting to note how sleep deprivation affects your performance however, not a good state to be in when an emergency occurs.

Anyhoo I got lots of sim time, overtime, my 135 SIC checkout in the Citation and renewed my instrument currency last week so very productive overall

In the sim the next two weeks but with a less hectic schedule.

Guess not a bad time to announce my route 66 trip which is happening in 2wks time. Driving Atlanta to Chicago then to LA via old route 66, then back to ATL via the south, PHX, DFW etc. If you'd like to catch up with me during my journey, send me a PM.


SNOW
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[Kristie]

if your out here in phx on a weekend, let us know and we'll get the phx homies together for a beer or two!