Article: FAA won't back 1500 hour requirement

Your claim was that if you aren't prepared, you'll fail out--which is wrong.

We all know people who don't cut it in training...but your claim that the training process will cut out all unqualified pilots is simply incorrect. Everybody has seen people who really aren't prepared for an airline job that have made it through training, because there's a lot of things that training can't give or test for...like experience.

99% of the time you will fail. But Ok as far as your 2nd point, how are you able to judge whether or not the guy is prepared when they just passed training?
 
99% of the time you will fail. But Ok as far as your 2nd point, how are you able to judge whether or not the guy is prepared when they just passed training?

Well, if you use the company manuals to train and fly the sim profiles over and over before you get hired, that doesn't necessarily mean you belong in the right seat of a CRJ. It's basically taking the "training for a specific checkride" concept to "training for a specific airline's ground school." To me, it's like getting the final exam for a college course, taking it over and over, then going in, taking the test and getting credit for the course. Sure, you can answer the questions on the test, but can you answer OTHER questions based on the material presented in the course?
 
Do you even realize how cocky, arrogant and entitled you sound. Talk about losing credibility. You realize you just stated all civilian trained pilots barely meet the FAA's low standards. I really hope its just a phrasing thing, because if its not, I hope I never have to fly with you.

Nah, he's not that far off.

For every new hire who has done the hard work and built the experience, is a guy who rolled out of flight school and it complaining about sitting reserve with 300 hrs TT. We can't continue to go from zero to hero in six months on one hand, then crow about compensating us for the skilled, experienced professionals we are on the other.
 
How long does it normally take for a NPRM like this to become rule?

There's usually a comment period for six months or so, then the actual rule will be issued. For such a big change such as this, though, you can expect a 12-18 month implementation window so the airlines can adjust schedules and staffing to accomodate the new rules.
 
There's usually a comment period for six months or so, then the actual rule will be issued. For such a big change such as this, though, you can expect a 12-18 month implementation window so the airlines can adjust schedules and staffing to accomodate the new rules.

Do you, or more importantly does ALPA feel it will become a rule within or around that normal six months? Thanks for all the great info BTW.
 
We're expecting an expedited process for publishing the rule (hopefully by Spring), but still a 12-18 month implementation window. Practically speaking, you're probably looking at early to mid 2011 before the new rules are in full force.
 
Practically speaking, you're probably looking at early to mid 2011 before the new rules are in full force.

Serious hiring won't be in full swing till then anyway.

Right now, the airlines (including the regionals) can afford to be picky and require a reasonable amount of flight time. It will take 2 years to thin out the pool of desperate CFIs anyway.
 
I agree. At 500 hours you have no experience to even be judging the guy, unless he's breaking regs. I was talking with a CA that upgraded at about 1900 hours and he was telling me that on the right seat you are just focused on doing the flows, flying the airplane and staying ahead of it the next 100 miles. But when you move the to left seat, you have more time to think about the actual flight. It's very true. I've had to sit left seat only a few times and this was in a sim, to simulate an actual flight from gate to gat. They give you the paperwork, tell you you're the CA you make all the announcements briefings, decision, the FO is to your right looking at you, the FAs in the back depending on you. It was overwhelming and this was just in a simulator. After that flight you form a new respect for the CA. Unless you actually sit on that seat, you will never know the responsibility, even if you're 3 feet away to the right.

Can I jump in with a question? This phrase caught my eye, just wanted some clarification from the pros here :)
I've been trained so far with an idea that, no matter PIC or SIC, I still have the utmost responsibility for the safety of my airplane (and pax, should I have any in the back of a 172). Even when flying with my instructor I'm still trying to be as vigilant as possible, since a CFI is also a human being (except when he schedules us to fly at the crack of dawn :D). And if he makes a mistake, it's also my ticket (and my life!) that's at stakes.
I'd imagine if you're in the right seat of a CRJ, that's the kind of a thought process one should have, instead of "depending" on the Captain?
 
We're expecting an expedited process for publishing the rule (hopefully by Spring), but still a 12-18 month implementation window. Practically speaking, you're probably looking at early to mid 2011 before the new rules are in full force.

Is ALPA expecting large staffing changes being required after this new legislation is passed?
 
And one more thing I'd like to add, from a perspective of a low-timer :)

Even with the little experience that I've had so far (training for my Instrument rating now), I got to fly and study with some different people. And from what I've noticed, at some point in their training most pilots have very similar flying skills (i.e. "anyone can be trained to fly an airplane").

However, what does seem to become more important as new pilots advance in their training is their personality, character and decision-making skills. Some people have great stick and rudder skills, but aren't able to interact with the other pilots that they fly with. Some handle emergencies better than others. Some take it to the limit to show off. Some don't think that the concept of CRM is worth studying since it's a "bunch of nonsense, let's just go to the sim and do some spins". Some get complacent as they get overconfident when flying an airplane.

How much time is enough for someone to fully realize the responsibility that comes with getting a certificate and a right to fly an airplane? Seems that 1500 hours won't do it for some people, and may be way too much for others..

Just IMHO.
 
And one more thing I'd like to add, from a perspective of a low-timer :)

Even with the little experience that I've had so far (training for my Instrument rating now), I got to fly and study with some different people. And from what I've noticed, at some point in their training most pilots have very similar flying skills (i.e. "anyone can be trained to fly an airplane").

However, what does seem to become more important as new pilots advance in their training is their personality, character and decision-making skills. Some people have great stick and rudder skills, but aren't able to interact with the other pilots that they fly with. Some handle emergencies better than others. Some take it to the limit to show off. Some don't think that the concept of CRM is worth studying since it's a "bunch of nonsense, let's just go to the sim and do some spins". Some get complacent as they get overconfident when flying an airplane.

How much time is enough for someone to fully realize the responsibility that comes with getting a certificate and a right to fly an airplane? Seems that 1500 hours won't do it for some people, and may be way too much for others..

Just IMHO.

Anyone can be trained to fly however, to exhibit airmanship requires experience.
 
Anyone can be trained to fly however, to exhibit airmanship requires experience.

Yeah, that was my point. But: is the amount of the experience required to "exhibit" the same for everyone? Probably not, if aptitude is accounted for.

The 1500 rule presumes that "anyone can be trained to exhibit airmanship in 1500 hours of flight time, period." That seems to be a narrow-sighted approach to solving the safety issue. Again, IMHO.
 
Can I jump in with a question? This phrase caught my eye, just wanted some clarification from the pros here :)
I've been trained so far with an idea that, no matter PIC or SIC, I still have the utmost responsibility for the safety of my airplane (and pax, should I have any in the back of a 172). Even when flying with my instructor I'm still trying to be as vigilant as possible, since a CFI is also a human being (except when he schedules us to fly at the crack of dawn :D). And if he makes a mistake, it's also my ticket (and my life!) that's at stakes.
I'd imagine if you're in the right seat of a CRJ, that's the kind of a thought process one should have, instead of "depending" on the Captain?

Yes, in theory that is how it would all work out. But there are times that it obviously doesn't happen that way.
 
We're expecting an expedited process for publishing the rule (hopefully by Spring), but still a 12-18 month implementation window. Practically speaking, you're probably looking at early to mid 2011 before the new rules are in full force.

along with the other question about hiring, wouldn't most airlines need to start growing crews earlier (I'm guessing late 2010) to be in compliance in time though?
 
Can I jump in with a question? This phrase caught my eye, just wanted some clarification from the pros here :)
I've been trained so far with an idea that, no matter PIC or SIC, I still have the utmost responsibility for the safety of my airplane (and pax, should I have any in the back of a 172). Even when flying with my instructor I'm still trying to be as vigilant as possible, since a CFI is also a human being (except when he schedules us to fly at the crack of dawn :D). And if he makes a mistake, it's also my ticket (and my life!) that's at stakes.
I'd imagine if you're in the right seat of a CRJ, that's the kind of a thought process one should have, instead of "depending" on the Captain?
Any pilot who is worth his weight is going to speak his mind and act in the interest of safety, regardless of what seat he sits in.

Story time...

One time...in band camp, uhh I mean on the SAAB, we were in position for takeoff and had to do a method 'A' takeoff (full power while holding brakes...aka short field) on this flight because the APR (Automatic Power Reserve) system was inop. We get our clearance for takeoff, the CA applied full power while holding the brakes and then suddenly the plane yawed about 30 degrees to the left and now we were looking right at the grassy area of the airport still with full power applied. The CA now is fighting with the steering tiller using both hands trying to get the plane lined back up, mentioning that the tiller is stuck. Full power is still applied. I am calling for an abort but the CA is still fighting the tiller. It was probably only about 2-3 seconds but it felt like forever to me and I eventually pulled the power levers back to idle myself (it was easy since they were not being guarded). Tower calls us "uhh Eagle Flight xxxx... you guys all right out there? Do you require any assistance?" We request to taxi off the runway and to please standby for our intentions. Once off the runway I advise the CA that I am going to contact ramp and tell them that we need to return to the gate and then maintenance so that they will meet us at the gate. The CA says "Hold on, The tiller got stuck out there. I don't know if my hand slipped off or what but it was requiring about a 30 degree offset just to steer straight initially when we started to taxi off the runway. Then after playing with the tiller some more the CA stated that it seems to be OK now and so lets inform tower that we want to attempt another takeoff." I told the CA that we can't do that. We have to go back to the gate because we just had an aborted takeoff for an unknown mechanical reason and besides, everyone saw what just happened and there are most likely 34 people in the back that are pretty nervous right now. We have to return back to the gate and at least have maintenance check us out." It actually took a few minutes for this CA to finally agree with me. We returned to the gate, got a new plane and after all that we were only about 45 minutes delayed overall (and only lost one passenger who refused to get back on). Long story short, I knew what had to be done and made sure it happened. I never actually made the call to return to the gate myself (as in overriding the CA's authority), I just kept tactfully objecting and voicing my concerns and reasoning until the CA finally decided to make the right call. I feel that was my job as a crew member, even if I technically only have 49% of the vote. We may only have one tiller but we have two brake controls so I may not be able to steer us from the right seat but I definitely can keep us from moving.

Turned out that the Weight on Wheels (WOW) sensor on the right wheel failed and so the system thought the right wheel was off the ground and on a SAAB that limits the amount of hydraulic pressure that is applied to the brakes so basically we had around 2800 lbs of pressure on the left wheel and only maybe say 200 pounds of pressure (don't know actual number) on the right wheel. This caused the plane to pivot around that left tire.
 
Man this just won't die.

Newflash: Dateline: The Internet

Unsubstantiated opinion of low time internet pilots trumps decades of actuarial research.

Details at 11.
 
That is the beauty of pt121, there is no guess work. They can't afford it, since so many people's lives are at stake. You are trained as a crew, there is no I. You and the CA go through training to solve problems based on the airplanes QRH. I don't care how many good calls you've made in your 172, you follow procedures and accomplish what they train you on at the airline.

I will respectfully disagree, though I do understand where you are coming from. Anyone wo has flown long enough can tell you about the problem they had that wasn't on a checklist. Being able to think and make good decisions is why we have pilots in airplanes, and not trained monkeys. Those situations might happen once in a lifetime, if ever. But then again, if you were on the US Air flight that put down in the Hudson, would you rather have had the Colgan crew from Buffalo?

Not sure what you meant about decisions in a 172. I've had a complete electrical failure night IFR in GA aircraft before. I can assure you, you learn a lot from something like that.
 
I'll never cease to get a kick out of all the dudes who think they're entitled to six figures, a red carpet, and mechanics (or anyone else with dirt under their fingernails) who walk ten paces behind but will insist that everything you need to know can be taught at Flight Safety in a hydraulic box. Bahahahahha.
 
Seriously? I'm not even entitled to having an opinion before I have 1500 hours?

Technically, it's 2,500 plus a type, or ultimately 1,500 of non-instructional hours not including dual given or time in a non-level D simulator! :sarcasm:
 
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