I can absolutely understand everyone's inputs here, and where they're coming from. I appreciate that. I'm going to make a few points though, that I think also really need to be understood.
1. Ameriflight has to train captains, not FOs. In an ideal world, there would be plenty of sim and online training, but it's not realistic. This is why the online portion of training is highly emphasized... To give the trainees a greater exposure to making those "PIC" decisions while being supervised by their instructors. At somewhere like Skywest, the FOs continue to learn until their upgrade. Thus, it's an ever evolving process, where only so much can be taught in a classroom. Where do you draw the line?
Do you know who also trains PICs? EVERYONE. Most regionals give a PIC type, and I have a PIC type in every jet I have flown. SkyWest gives you a PIC type. That is a full type, not a modified "kinda" PIC type to fill a box.
2. Staffing here is the largest issue: people aren't staying very long because of short staffed bases, meaning more work for our pilots. This short sightedness really annoys me, but overall, that's why even with a lengthened training cycle, we can't get help out their quick enough; thus, we can't spend 4 weeks in the sims with a few students who would benefit more from home study.
This isn't an answer to the correct question. You need to be addressing the washout rate, not the people leaving, as an issue regarding training. People will leave Ameriflight for a multitude of reasons. Ameriflight complaining about staffing is no different than the regionals complaining about staffing. While the regionals may be more pay driven, but AMF can't complain about staffing and send 50% of the people out the door. Nobody is saying spend 4 weeks in the sim, however AMF is a stepping stone job, you know it, I know it, the world knows it, AMF knows it. Hell AMF built their model around a revolving door. So people will continue to leave, just as the have for the last 30 years. The training is due for a complete overhaul, both culturally and educationally.
3. People seem to think that in coming here Ameriflight owes them something. For example, I have seen countless times where instructors will stay late, or come in on weekends to help out the candidates. They're not doing this to evaluate, they're providing quality instruction: when the candidates don't put in the effort in return, we can't study for them. Every instructor's phone number is given out on day 1 of ground school, in which we tell the candidates to call or text at any time if there's anything we can do to help.
AMF does owe them something, quality training. AMF only exists because of its employees. During the recession, AMF operated like it didn't need employees in order to survive. Pilots were being fired for minor offenses, or being let go during training with no extra help. Now there are complaints that there aren't good, qualified pilots coming in the doors... I 100% agree that you cannot study for the student, however I have been through that training, as have hundreds and hundreds of other pilots. I had more condescending, belittling remarks from VFR only training captains in the training department, than I have ever seen anywhere else. I sincerely hope the training environment has changed, I mean that. However, you bring a Riddle rat into the mix with 135 mins or slightly below, and you force them to teach guys with more hours, you create a situation where the individuals doing the training think in black and white, either it is the standard AMF wants or it isn't. There is no thought as to why the trainee is behind, or why they are not up this perfect standard set by somebody sitting behind the sim sipping water. No dynamic evaluation, at least there wasn't any, again I hope that has changed.
Furthermore, the instructors have ground and cpt training where they walk the students through everything. Afterwards, they assist and critique as necessary, in which the students have the remainder of the week and weekend to continue studying prior to Sims (starting the following week).
4. The yelling and tones... Now here's a great argument that I hear all the time. No instructor is going to be Willy Wonka perky, unless they're a psychopath. They all have other things to deal with in life. I'll give an example I see all too often: you put someone in the sim and the instructor is trying to do their job; they explain the issue to the student, and the student argues. They explain it from a different standpoint, again the student argues. At this point, the student refuses to listen, continues to ignore the instructor and then flies into a mountain because they weren't listening to what they were being told. We all have limits, but when we're not being respected time and time again, our frustrations are made known. It takes a lot to get most of us to that point.... Especially when we're teaching basic IFR skills to people who are CFIIs and other 135 pilots. I check my ego at the door, and I ask everyone to do the same so that it's a good experience for all.
I've heard stories about the Ameriflight inductors who just yelled all the time (in particular, the old PA31 and 99 programs?) I can't speak to that, it was before my time. I came in the end of 2013, and since then I've seen a lot of great things happen throughout all of the training programs, and within the company.
I think it's fantastic that people critique instructors over and over again, but don't accept their own shortcomings. Yes, the ideal applicant has began the studying process prior and is well prepared for class, but it doesn't mean that Ameriflight only has time for them.
I know I (and any other instructor) would have no problem with ground school surveys and assessments. I stand by my instruction, and by the students that I've worked with.
Tell me again, where is the CURRENT problem guys? Change takes time to see the full effect of implementation, and it is occurring.
I am glad the training has changed, that is great. But again, more dynamic thinking is involved. I consider myself an above average pilot. But guess what, stick me in a new aircraft and load me up beyond what I am capable, and I will do really stupid things in an airplane. You cannot expect applicants at AMF to be seasoned IFR vets who are ready for the 135 world on day one. Sure AMF gets previous 135 guys, but lets face it, right now the economy is good, which means AMF isn't getting laid off, or furloughed guys with 5,000 hours right now. You are getting the college CFI, or the mom and pop CFI. Have they ever flown something as fast as a Chieftain, or 99, to and from an airport that is 20nm apart, all the while they are doing flows, callouts, checklists, frequency chances, ATIS, clearances, navigation, communication, oh and lets add an engine failure, and partial panel, all the while you are flying /A. Maybe the guy flying a seminole for 50 hours will be a little behind the power curve. Guess who else would be behind the power curve, the 14,000 hour 747 captain....
