As a seasoned Part 121 pilot, there are a few essential tasks I must regularly complete to maintain my well-compensated and generally comfortable position. As a captain over 40, I need to renew my Class I medical certificate every six months. Additionally, I spend several hours each quarter on online ground school. Every two years, a line check airman joins me on a few flights to ensure I can operate without causing undue stress to my first officers or posing a risk to the public.
Every nine months, I undergo a two-day recurrent simulator training, known as continuing qualification (CQ) at my airline. This involves a four-hour training session followed by a check ride, which alternates between a maneuvers validation (MV) or a line-oriented evaluation (LOE). I jokingly call this my “how-bad-do-I-want-to-keep-my-job quiz.” While no single check ride is a career-defining event, failing one can attract management’s attention, something I’ve always aimed to avoid. Fortunately, I’ve passed every check ride on the first try, though they used to cause me significant anxiety. Over time, I’ve realized that a bit of stress actually enhances my performance, and I’ve grown more relaxed about these evaluations.
Throughout my 31-year career, spanning seven employers and six type ratings, I’ve completed around 54 check rides and 20-25 line checks. They’ve become routine, and I’ve lost any fear of them, allowing me to approach them with a more laid-back attitude. This shift in mindset has coincided with a broader change in the industry’s approach to pilot evaluations.
#PilotLife #AviationTraining #FlyingHigh
Originally reported by FLYING Magazine Read More
