Airline Recurrent Training
Airline Recurrent Training
Folks, I just spent the last weekend in what we call Recurrent Training.
What’s that, you ask? Well, it’s kind of like a regular checkup at your doctor, but one that checks knowledge and skills. It’s a short refresher course for pilots and flight attendants on operations, systems and procedures, as well as a chance to practice and test those skills.
Today, I’ll walk you through my Recurrent course.
But First . . .
Cap’n Aux Book Makes the Top Shelf!
I’m beyond excited to announce that, to my surprise, my novel,
was nominated by the staff of Top Shelf Magazine for the Indie Author Awards!
What’s more, I’ve just received word that the book has been selected, from over 1,000 entries, as a Top 5 Finalist in two separate categories:
Action and Adventure, and Regional Fiction!
If you haven’t read it yet, and if you enjoy a good action adventure aviation novel, I highly suggest you pick up a copy today, available in print, kindle, and audiobook.
And, while you’re there, check out my other books as well, such as my nonfiction
There I Wuz! series,
and my Fly/Spy novel series,
Link:
amazon.com/author/ericauxier
..
And Now . . .
Airline Recurrent Training
Every six months to a year (our company has gone to a 9 month cycle), pilots attend three days of Recurrent training.
Day one is a ground school. Topics include such items as reviewing their airplane’s systems, procedures and company policies, as well as any updates to said procedures and policies. Other topics include security briefs, and general subjects such as weather as it relates to flying (such as thunderstorm, turbulence and windshear avoidance).
Days 2 and 3 consist of simulator flights. While many of you would no doubt give your right (state body part here) to experience a full-motion simulator flight in a high performance airliner, let me tell you: it ain’t no walk in the park! Each day consists of two, 2-hour sim sessions, during which we practice takeoffs, instrument approaches, landings, and general maneuvers.
But the real emphasis is on emergencies. Engine failures and fires, hydraulic, electrical, and computer failures. You name it, we practice it!
The procedures are always evolving as well, and this year was particularly challenging, with a complete revamp of the process of getting a crippled plane safely on the ground.
However, I am happy to say that, after having practiced our new system, I am very happy with the results. Vastly simplified, it gives the captain more discretion, more command, and more leeway in conducting the event.
Safety, I am happy to say, is always evolving, always improving.
Airline Recurrent Training
First Officer Cory’s and my flights started with a 2-hour briefing at 4pm, followed by the two sim sessions that lasted till well past midnight. This was certainly a challenge for the body clock, but it did give us time each day to crack the books, review our procedures, and better prepare for the rides.
The first session of Day 3 is our test, called a “check ride.” This consists of a simulated flight, from cockpit entry to engine shutdown, as if we were actually flying the line.
Inevitably, some type of failure occurs, and the FO and I must work together to 1) Fly the Plane, 2) diagnose and address the problem, and 3) decide whether to divert or continue to our destination. This year, we flew from BOS (Boston) to DCA (DC National Airport).
During our simulated flight, a dual flight computer failure kicked off the autopilot and forced us to hand fly. No biggie, but not a normal situation. Moreover, some of the flight controls were degraded, making the plane a little more squirrelly to handle.
I assigned Cory flying duties, which freed me up to manage the failure—which, by the way, is the preferred method at our airline for any “non-normal events”. I agree with this philosophy: the Captain must be able to manage the situation and make the necessary command decisions and communicate with all appropriate parties (ATC, cabin crew, Dispatch, etc.) During this time, the FO, who is more than capable, will fly the plane and work the radios.
See my article,”You’re the Captain: Inflight Emergency!” in Airways Magazine, July, 2018 issue, as well as my latest, “Anatomy of an Inflight Emergency,” in the August, 2018 issue.
That article is also available online at:
https://airwaysmag.com/industry/southwest-flight-1380-anatomy-of-an-inflight-emergency/
Airline Recurrent Training
In the end, the Check Airman complimented us on a good ride. Once again, (after sweating off 5 pounds), we passed! Yay!
But wait, there’s more! For our final sim session, we went back into training mode, practicing such maneuvers as instrument approaches into high altitude, mountainous South American airports, windshear awareness, avoidance and escape procedures, as well as practicing a rejected takeoff followed by an emergency evacuation. As is nearly always the case, we did fairly well, but learned gobs on how to do things better.
All in all, a great learning experience, both confidence-building and humbling as well!
For more simulated flying fun and a video, check out my old post,
Let’s Go for a (Simulated) Airplane Flight!
Direct Link: http://capnaux.com/vlog-lets-go-for-a-simulated-airplane-flight/
Airline Recurrent Training
Team Aux’s Bunny Stands Up to Cancer!
As you may know, Team Aux Producer and my better half, Bunny, is a cancer survivor. A lifetime athlete and competitive bodybuilder, Bunny was diagnosed with Stage 3A lung cancer last year.
After an operation, chemotherapy and radiation, she has now fully recovered and has twice been diagnosed as in remission!
A couple weeks ago, the nationally televised event, Stand Up To Cancer, invited her to their live broadcast.
Along with our good friend, former NFL football star Chris Draft (who lost his wife to cancer—see our post “Dance, Smile, Live, Fly!“), Bunny rubbed elbows with such stars as host Matt Damon, Stevie Wonder, Katie Couric and Ken Jeong, and met other survivors from around the nation, and the world.
Congratulations, Bunny, on being a survivor, as well as a SU2C attendee—you’re a true champion!
Join us in supporting these great cancer organizations!
- Stand Up To Cancer: https://standuptocancer.org
- Chris Draft Foundation: http://www.chrisdraftfamilyfoundation.org
- Lungevity http://lungevity.org
And Finally . . .
Airline Recurrent Training
Blog Buddy Spotting!
Upon jumping on her flight back from the SU2C shindig in L.A., Bunny was shocked to hear a voice call out to her in the cabin. The man was none other than long time Blog Buddy and Hollywood cinematographer, Vance B! The two immediately called me, and I was so happy to chat with Vance for the first time in a long time!
Just yesterday, I got a call from an old friend: my buddy Alex D, whom I’d flown with wayyyyy back in the day, first down in the Caribbean with the Virgin Islands Seaplane Shuttle (& he with Eastern Metro, also flying Twin Otters), and later flying Dash 7s for Rocky Mountain Airways in Denver!
Alex is hands down the smartest person I’ve ever met. After a few years’ flying wide bodies for Continental (before the United merger), he became an aviation consultant. Now a full partner, he travels the world advising airlines on their operations, and still keeps his hands dirty by flying the company Citation!
Bunny and I picked him up and wined and dined him . . . or was it he wined and dined us? Anyway, sushi and brews all around!
Alex and Vance, so wonderful to run into you guys!
And, to all of you other Blog Buddies out there, if you’re passing through PHX, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Till then,
This is Cap’n Aux . . .
Signing Off!
CLEARED TO LAND
Touching down in early October
A PODCAST CHAT
With Cap’n Aux, and Former F4 Fighter Jock,
and Airline Pilot-Author-Blogger
George “Hamfist” Nolly!
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Related Cap’n Aux Posts
- Dance, Smile, Live, Fly! http://capnaux.com/dance-smile-live-fly/
- Let’s Go for a (Simulated) Airplane Flight! http://capnaux.com/vlog-lets-go-for-a-simulated-airplane-flight/
- All Time Best of Cap’n Aux http://capnaux.com/time-best-capn-aux/
- Best of Cap’n Aux 2017 http://capnaux.com/best-of-capn-aux-2017/
- All Cap’n Aux Books http://amazon.com/author/ericauxier
- There I Wuz! Series https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076MFCFGS/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
- The Last Bush Pilots https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A943BDA
- Code Name: Dodger Fly/Spy Series https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWVITPJ/ref=series_rw_dp_sw
- Cap’n Aux Airways Magazine Articles https://airwaysmag.com/author/eauxier/
- Black Swan Event (the Capt. de Crespigny Story) Pt 1 https://airwaysmag.com/best-of-airways/qantas-a380-black-swan-event-2/
- Pt 2 https://airwaysmag.com/best-of-airways/qantas-a380-black-swan-event-part-ii/
- Pt 3 https://airwaysmag.com/best-of-airways/qantas-a380-black-swan-event/
- Word on the Ramp Video Collection https://vimeo.com/album/3162370
- All Cap’n Aux Videos on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/capnaux
- Cap’n Aux Social Media
- email eric@capnaux.com
- Twitter https://twitter.com/capnaux
- Facebook http://www.facebook.com/CapnAux
- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/capnaux/