Military VS. Civilian Training

[777forever]

I think the regionals should start including aptitude tests in their interviews. I believe the problem with many of today's new hires is not lack of experience, but just plain incompetance.

[Fly4Pay]

Originally Posted by 777forever

So do you think its possible to take the best areas of both training programs, Civilian and Military, and create an ab intio way of developing pilots that is faster and more efficient then the current FAA route?

Could it be done? Sure... there's nothing magical about it being military. BUT... no airline would foot the bill, and no individual would put up with it (why would they when it isn't necessary?)

I once heard a stat bandied about that by the time you finish the aircraft specific training, the AF had spent about a million bucks on each of us. That's a lot of cabbage to toss in for an airline pilot.

So what are the differences? I've seen a few mentions, but here's a quick rundown....

1) As mentioned, the selection process is VERY competitive. Things like grades, performance at previous jobs.... really a "whole person" concept. After that, candidates go through a flight screening program in a small light plane to see who has air sense (vs. NO sense!), who can talk while flying, who spews at the slightest turbulence, and so on...

2) The training program, as mentioned elsewhere, is intense. Just undergraduate pilot training in the AF is enough to give you ulcers. There are tests about every other week (failing two is enough to get you the boot, in some cases). There is an evaluation performed on every single ride. There are (or at least were) six checkrides (even more intense evaluations--flunk a couple of those and they start packing your bags). Add to that the competitive nature of trying to rank as highly in the class as you can so you can get your desired assignment...)

3) The equipment you train on is first rate. Aircraft, simultators, computer based training--all the very best. And as someone points out, virtually all of it (other than the flight screening mentioned above) is turbine time.

4) AFTER you finish a year of this, you go to specific training for the weapon system (aircraft type) you've been assigned. That is specifically tailored to make you an expert in the aircraft and its mission.

5) AFTER all of that, you get mission ready in your unit. You have to prove to your bosses that you have what it takes to do the job.

6) AFTER THAT (at least these days), you go out and fly actual mission, often under combat conditions, and learn to not only be an expert in the plane, but a leader under adverse conditions.

Those who make it through all of this usually make pretty decent pilots, and the airlines know it. Pretty hard NOT to be, after all that. Training departments at airlines know all of the above, and can be confident that they're getting a candidate that can make it through the airline's training program. And THAT is what they REALLY want.

[Rocketman99]

Well said Fly. I think that pretty much covers it. T

Here was my timelime. I started UPT on 8 Feb 00. There were 7 checkrides in the undergratuate portion of the program as I took it in 2001. 4 in the T-37 (now replaced by the T-6) and 3 in the T-1 (which is a Hawker/Beechjet 400). Last day of UPT was 14 Feb 01. Another checkride in the KC-135 after inital qual, which ended Jul 01. Then off to my base for mission specific training which was finished up in Sep 01. From start to finish at my operational squadron was 1 year and 7 months of training. Fighter guys take 6 months to 1 year longer for their follow-on training after UPT.

[777forever]

Awesome info. Thanks guys. That sounds pretty intense. I see the difference now.

[mtsu_av8er]

Originally Posted by Fins Up

Marines everywhere are gasping in disbelief at the atrocity committed unto their hymn. It's "halls of Montezuma..." If you're gonna jab at other guys, you gotta get the words right.

I passed out when I read it . . .