L-16B
Well-Known Member
I think this is the biggest issue with lower time pilots. Some guys step from an airplane that they're completely comfortable in (say a Seminole or 172) into a Q400, CRJ, ERJ, whatever and have the same attitude. Most of the low time guys fly just fine, but it's the decision making that is seriously lacking. Something you might do with just you and your instructor (or even just you) in a Seminole is not something you'd do with 50+ people in the back. I had an FO a couple of weeks ago make a decision like that. I looked at him and said "Seriously? That's what you're thinking? Well, I disagree. We're doing this and here's why...." To his credit, he listened. There's some basic knowledge gaps out there in the low time guys. I try to fill in those gaps where I can, but when you've got a t-storm moving onto the field, you're running the fuel numbers in your head and trying to get a wx update for your alternate while the FO is flying the plane is NOT the time you need to turn back into an instructor. BTW, for those that say instructing sucks.....I think that job better prepared me for being a CA than being an FO for 2 years did.
Only been a CA for a month and a half, and I agree 100%. The bigger pay is nice, but there's a reason it's there.
:yeahthat: But at the same time my 500 hours in my dad's super cub and when I instructed I only did tailwheel instruction so that did absolutely nothing to prepare me for my 121 gig. Other than realize that bigger planes are easier to land on these big huge runways :crazy: