What is more important? The number of hours a pilot has to be an airline pilot or,r having the skills and proficiency as a well-rounded pilot?
I can’t help but notice that what we say is more important versus what is actually happening out in our training system right now might not be a match.
In the past couple weeks alone I have had conversations with people who have conveyed some interactions that make me think that many pilots are just “chasing the hours,” not the actual skills and proficiency we need.
One such conversation was with a CFI who is getting close to meeting the number of hours they need to meet Restricted ATP minimums to qualify to be hired by a regional airline. Well, to at least be at the number of hours where they will meet the requirements that will get them into their class at the airline for initial pilot training.
The conversation included noting the fact that the CFI only needed to get 52 more hours in the month of December for them to meet the class date in January with the regional airline that wanted to have them start. What does this push mean for the quality of training that CFI is going to provide to their students over the month? Are they going to be more likely to fly in questionable weather conditions to get those hours instead of canceling a flight that might be less productive from a learning perspective for their student? Could it cause them to operate with less of a safety margin from personal or aircraft minimums as they push to get those hours? I think both are possible. In fact, I have seen other CFIs do exactly that as they push to get those last few hours, and their deadline for a class date approaches.
I am going to fault airlines partially for pushing this situation. It’s not necessarily on purpose, but their push to draw people of out of flight training to airline pilot service is degrading the dedication to doing the job of being a good flight instructor in many. Continue reading