Line Training and Getting a Permanent Base.

Once again I have to start off with an apology regarding the fact it has taken me so long to write another one of these, however, to tell you the truth, life has been hectic over the past few months, as I will explain...

Having completed my supernumerary flights, I was allocated a base in which to complete my 'line training', which is pretty much what it says it is, getting trained, on the line. This involved flying approximately 80 sectors with training captains who not only assessed and wrote reports on your performance based on each flight, but who also passed on various methods and techniques in which to improve general handling and knowledge of the 737-800 as well as being able to operate the aircraft operationally and commercially minded.

The base I was given was Bergamo (BGY), a city in the province of Lombardy, SE of Milan. I loved every minute of being based here as it made me learn fast, increase my operational proficiency and appreciate working in a different culture with people of all nationalities. BGY is one of the company's largest bases, with 15 aircraft allocated to it over the summer period and how the hours I built up and passenger loads proved that! The training once again was fantastic with all the captains being patient and supportive throughout all stages, helping me with any issues that I may have had and I can't thank them enough for that. The base roster pattern at BGY was 5/4, 5 days working and 4 days off, which meant I commuted home on my off days, which is what a lot of guys and girls do during training.

Having completed my line training in BGY, I was expecting to be allocated a new base, as me moving out would create new spaces for more training cadets coming in. So, the day came when I received the email, informing me that my new and permanent base would be Manchester (MAN)!

This was fantastic for me as not only is it commutable from home each day, but also it is a large scale international airport, it's busy, it's challenging with winds and weather and just a whole different ball game, compared to Bergamo.

So, bringing you up to date, I have now been based in Manchester for just over three weeks and will be working the last day of my 5 day week tomorrow on lates, flying to Beziers and Gerona. I absolutely love it and have flown with and got to know so many new and exciting individuals, been sandwiched on the approach by a 787 and an A380, not had to display my poor Italian language skills like I did in Bergamo and have been warmly welcomed by everyone.

 I have flown to so many new, weird and wonderful places, some I didn't even know existed, flown some non-precision approaches into some varied airfields in poor weather, dealt with horrific thunder storms in BGY and have had a fantastic experience so far!

I have another line check coming up later this month on a flight down to Murcia and then I am in the sim towards the latter stages of August, so it is going to be a testing few weeks that's for sure! I better get my head back into the books and get myself refreshed on theory, after so much of the past few months have all been hands on learning...

Sam

Type Rating Completed - Onto the Line!

Since my last post, I have been through all the sorties in the simulator in order to complete the type rating requirements, passed the progress tests with good marks and passed my LST, meaning I am now type rated on the 737 series 300-900.

After passing my LST, it meant I could continue on to do my base training, which was to be flown out of East Midlands (EMA). Base training, for those that are unfamiliar with what that is, is demonstrating the competency to take off and land the aircraft a minimum of 6 times and generally just flying circuits at a certain aerodrome. I completed my base training out of EMA as planned on an empty 737-800 and it is safe to say, it's the most fun I have ever had, despite being elected to go first!

This is a screenshot of the Flight Radar 24 application, showing our aircraft doing the circuits at EMA, courtesy of my Dad, who was watching us on his iPhone up in Warrington!

All of the course has now completed the base training and have hopped over to Dublin and collected the new IAA licence.

The next requirement was to complete 12 observation, supernumerary flights (SNYs) which I was able to complete out of Liverpool. This is in place, I'm guessing, to show someone who has come out of a type rating course, which is fully undertaken in a simulator, that you need to be flexible and commercial on the line as things don't always go to plan!






My roster showed 4 flights a day from Wednesday to Friday and the flights were:

Wednesday- Barcelona then Dublin
Thursday - Knock then Warsaw
Friday - Londonderry then Oslo

All the crews I completed these with were fantastic and let me take part in the operations as much as possible, such as the paperwork which, isn't covered during the type rating and also the real world ATC which, I haven't done since the IR at Oxford.

I am now waiting to start line training, which should last 2/3 months, flying passengers whilst being assessed. I am expecting a slight delay to start this however, as there is a slight backlog due to the quiet winter months and promotion within the company taking priority over us newbies. I hope to get going soon and I also hope that everyone who has been waiting to get going over the last few weeks, can get in the air as soon as possible and enjoy the busy summer schedule ahead.

I would also like to thank everyone on the course (FR1220) that I went through the type rating with as they were a fantastic group of people and I wish them all the success with their careers!

CLICK FOR VIDEO OF OUR BASE TRAINING - Thanks Kirsten!

Type Rating So Far...

 

On the 19th November I began the start of my type rating course on the 737-800 at East Midlands Training. The first week involved lots of admin, therefore more paperwork, days in the classroom being taught procedures for safety and evacuation, carriage of dangerous goods, normal procedures at the airline and smoke and fire equipment training, which was all very serious but interesting at the same time.

Safety and Equipment Procedures training

Once this week was complete, it was onto the two weeks of CBT (computer based training), covering all aspects of the Boeing 737 aircraft and concluding in a technical test at the end of the fortnight. Despite being extremely interesting and great to study the aircraft I am learning to fly, I would be lying if I said it wasn't slightly monotonous at times!

CBT Room - Everyone Enjoying Themselves....

Following the technical test, we then had a classroom day the following week, which was to review the company SOPs (standard operating procedures) and you guessed it, this was followed by a test. All very simple and very well taught which meant it was passed and we all kept moving forward.

The final hurdle to the ground school was the performance exam, which involved studying how to manually calculate pre departure and inflight performance for certain flights with varying conditions. Again, two days in the classroom and very well taught.

I am extremely impressed with the standard of training at EMT and couldn't have asked for anything more from the instructors that are there to help.

I am now onto the sims and have finished my first 4 fixed base, non motion simulator sorties, generally going back and to between Dublin and Stansted. There is a staggering learning curve that requires a great deal of extra curricular study in order to keep up with what is expected of you, but like most things, the more practice, the easier it gets!

I have my first progress test in the sim on Tuesday, but I am told it's just a routine lesson which does involve some tuition, just to a lesser degree than a normal simulator session.

Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and I will keep this up to date as much as possible!

Sam