The First Recurrent
When you join a new airline, you go through what is known as the initial training. It is a lengthy over a month program, with classroom time, a couple dozen sims, and a final check ride. Of course the expectations on you are high, nevertheless the airline recognizes you as a new hire, understands that their operations and procedures, and potentially even the type rating, are still a novelty to you, and therefore, although you have some standards to meet, you are still going through a line training (IOE) after the ground/sim portion.
The first recurrent, though, is a different game altogether. You have been flying for at least half an year, so the airline expects you to have matured yourself - specially after line training, when we finally have the chance to study in our own rhythm - and being exposed to hundreds of hours of line operation take out most of the excuses you would have to justify a less than excellent adherence to the company particular policies and procedures, for example. On top of that, the program is obviously more advanced an compressed now (only three or four days, typically), since the basic stuff has been already covered on the initial training, back when you joined. So yes, one should expect to be surprised by things that, on a 30 thousand plus pages library of manuals and bulletins, were missed during the last months.
Adding to the higher expectations from the company and your challenge to face a new syllabus, the stakes are still pretty high, since you are still on probation - normally passing a recurrent is one of the conditions for you to leave it. Nothing less than passing it with "flying colors" is desirable.
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This week I had my third first recurrent - since I am on the third airline of my career - and yes it is a moment of relief when you do a good job on it. Preparation is key: make your life and your instructors and examiners job easier by studying hard ahead. It is certainly a milestone not less important than the initial check ride, and being this the 25th of my pilot career, I can safely say that you might eventually get used to them. But it takes time... and practice!
Captain TRI/LTC B737NG/MAX | Human Factors enthusiast | EBT specialist | Aircraft Accident Investigator | Master Mind Aviation - High Performance Training - Founder
8 个月Well said my dear friend. Initial training is always challenging; several professional and personal changes, high expectations, pressure, even when you are type rated you may feel it’s a different type. The key to succeed is dedication (obviously) and balance. Dedication to put the effort into the right work with discipline. Balance this high demand with your mental and physical state. At some moments training is way more mental and emotional than technical. Learning how to study is the beginning to learn well. Taking care of your mental health is the key for success.
First Officer at National Airlines ? ICAO (AAC Panama), FAA & QCAA ATP Rated ? Dad | Husband | Aviator
8 个月I have been to three first recurrent in my career as well (so far), and when you say, “Preparation is key: make your life and your instructors and examiners jobs easier by studying hard ahead,” It says everything that needs to be said. ????