pscraig

I'll second the advice for joining a study group-make time every night, there is plenty of time to go the bar later on. My FTD group ended up being my study group, and it was the right size (4).

When I arrived I had the flows,memory items, and limitations memorized and I was fine. Just remember to sleep!

Bob

OK... I may be sounding like a total dweeb here... but a buddy of mine just got hired and this was the e-mail I sent to him when he asked me the same question..

There's nothing specific you need for Day One except what they have already given you.

For note taking I would suggest a 1.5" D-Style 3 ring binder with lot's of college ruled paper. You'll be surprised how fast you will fill this thing up with Notes. The more notes you take, the easier it will be to study for your tests and oral... as well as be a great reference for you when "Re-current" comes up in a year from now. Get Highlighters, and a set of dividers to seperate sections of your binder Indoc/CRM/Systems/Hydraulics/Envronmentals/Engine/Electrical/Fuel, etc.

Have your Limitations/Flows/Memory Items down cold by Day One and you will be WAY ahead of the game.

The first week is Indoc... which is kind of a funny week... I say that because you'll find your self thinking "Man... I finally made it to my dream job... why the hell can't I stay awake for this stuff!" Indoc is boring... and long... they try to make it fun. Just take notes and pay particular attention when your Indoc Insctructor says: "You may want to write this down", or "This would be really good to know." Chances are... if they say that... then it's on the test at the end of the week.

You should get fitted for uniforms during week one as well... here's my suggestion for uniforms... (Don't buy everything the Cintas Rep says you need because you won't need it... he's just trying to make a few extra bucks.)

4 Short sleeve shirts
2 Pants
1 belt
1 tie
2 sets of epaulets
1 suit coat.

Believe it or not... that will be around $450 right there. It is payroll deducted so that's good. Get yourself a nice pair of "Airport friendly" black polishable shoes as well. Rockports are real good... i've got Ecco's, some people get sketchers or Doc's and black out the stitching. Go with what works for you. You will also have the option to order a Leather Flight Jacket from another vendor. This is optional... and expensive. I paid $370 for mine, but I love it! If you don't get the leather coat then invest in a nice black trench coat.

Next comes CRM for a few days... which is actually kind of fun depending on who your instructor is. No Tests either...

Then comes Systems... Take lot's of notes, and pay attention again to the instructor hinting that you may want to "write this down." Your hands will be cramped by the end of Systems from taking so many notes. You will have a Systems Test and a Systems Oral... so... take notes.

Best advice I can give you for FTD's and SIM's is to chair fly the profile before each session with your sim partner. No matter how tired you are... no matter how much you think you know... Chair fly the profile before each session. You will see a noticeable difference between yourselves and those that don't. I mean... really... they give you the profile in the big white binder right there! Word for word... exactly what's going to happen in each session... I was amazed at how many people never looked at that. Also... pick a SIM Partner that is serious about this... don't pick someone who is the life of the party.

You will also need two 3" Jepp Binders and one 1" Jepp Binder by the end of the first week when they give you your Jepp Charts. In addition be looking for a decent flight case as well. The Stop-Over Store at the IAH airport Marriot has several good choices... or you can go to Office Max and buy a cheap one if money is tight. I didn't buy one until over half my class bought one... that way I could see what everyone else was getting and make a decision on which one would best suit my needs.

Purdy Neat Elite Pilot Bag 22" | Stop-Over Store

Every night before you turn out the light to go to sleep... open your note cards and review your Flows/Memory Items/Limitations/Profile-Callouts. It will take about 10-15 minutes and it will keep it fresh on your mind. Do it!

Lastly... Study. Seriously... Don't go drinking with the guys... don't go chasing the Flight Attendants and Gate/Ticket Agents in Training at your hotel... Don't be "That Guy". Study. If you study every night... then on your days off you can actually go home and take a break. You won't feel like you have to stay at the hotel and study on your days off. Get plenty of sleep... drink plenty of water... and... Yes it is possible... HAVE FUN!

If you have any specific questions... please let me know! I'm sure I have more to tell you... but I can't think of it right now... and this is probably WAY more that you expected anyway...

Good Luck!

Anyway... it worked for me... I was never too stressed out... and I enjoyed my weekends off with my family without feeling like I needed to cram every weekend.

Bob

__________________
Bob Moyer

EWR FO -> IAH FO -> SAT FO -> IAH CA -> ONT CA -> EWR CA

The circle is complete.
------------------------------
Maine... The way life should be.

SHVPilot

Dumb question...

How much is the hat we're not required to wear... my fiance' wants me to have the "pilot hat".


I tried to tell her I'm not the pope, and that my piloting abilities have nothing to do with the hat and that I'll never wear it, but she says I need it.

erj-145mech

maybe its for the bedroom olympics? Ya know, the stewardess and the pilot......

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt & Whitney would've built one.

SF3Flyer

Bancroft = $39.00 or so with shipping. Mine sits in the back seat of my car. I wore it ONCE (one of the many things you'll only do ONCE here).

If you want to have it, though, go to www.bancroftcaps.com. The Admin. Assistant in your CPO will have your wings and hat brass for you.

__________________
Reid Bartlam
ONT "Whore" CA

Jetlink1175

VERY IMPORTANT....

WHEN YOU CHECK INTO THE HOLIDAY INN, ASK FOR A MINI FRIDGE!!!.
It may take them a day or two to get you one, but it's the only way to go. Get the shuttle over to Wal-Mart and stock up on food/beer. You can bring your lunch to class every day and save big bucks. I averaged dinner 2 nights a week with my friends/study partners. Have plenty of beer on hand. Put 2-3 away every day after class during study group. We'd drink every night, study/quiz each other and have a great time. We all did really well in ground school and sim training. Lastly, go the F*** home every weekend. It's time for you to mentally & physically recoup. Plus you'll most likely be sick from the hotel. Going home clears it up temporarily. Have fun man!

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EWR CA (for good) To all 3 of you blowhards who stole all 3 of my trades, up yours. I give up. I'm staying in Newark.

USMC Veteran

Bob Sacamano

I'll second going home every weekend. Sometime on the first day or two they'll try to scare you into staying there on your off days to study...screw that go home and enjoy yourself.

HD

If you have NOT flown an EFIS airplane, start thinking of a PFD scan. The one I learned is: AIRSPEED...ADI...ALTITUDE...VSI...HEADING...AIRSPE ED...ADI...
ALTITUDE...VSI...HEADING.....(continue) And use about a 3 second look at each indication. Works for me.

Bob

Wait... wait a minute... hold on... easy now... woah... um........... OK... I was dizzy there... but I'm feeling better now.

__________________
Bob Moyer

EWR FO -> IAH FO -> SAT FO -> IAH CA -> ONT CA -> EWR CA

The circle is complete.
------------------------------
Maine... The way life should be.

lonestarwings

How's this for an EFIS scan?

PINK BARS....PINK BARS......PINK BARS......PINK BARS.

If you use my method, just remember that you're screwed if they give you an essential power approach.