I’m exactly halfway through week 1 of systems (lunch on Wednesday) on the DC-10. This is the meat and potatoes of the airplane. My initial reaction when looking at the cockpit was to think that this was going to be pretty difficult. I knew the systems were similar to the MD-11, but I don’t think I realized how similar they are, nor did I expect to actually remember as many of the details as I am. Overall, it’s going well.<\/p>\n
Procedures wise, I’m still feeling the learning curve. If the systems stuff is 70% similar and 30% different (with the differences being mostly controls and indicators), the procedures are the other way around. There are some similarities, but a lot of differences. The differences in controls and indicators (mostly different from the MD-11) causes the procedures to be significantly different, and having a 3-pilot crew is also a big change. <\/p>\n
I’ve been able to absorb most of the class material fairly well, but I haven’t been studying as much as I thought I should. I did get some good studying done over the weekend, but haven’t really since then (just a little bit). Last night I went out for jazz and tomorrow night I may well do it again (different place). Tonight will be ‘crew’ studying. <\/p>\n
The sim schedule has changed several times in the last month or so. The latest version has me going home after ground school (around Feb 11th) and being off until I start sim in Memphis on Feb 29th. The down side is a couple extra weeks delay on F\/O pay. The upside is time off and time to study. But, of course, all of that’s subject to change again.<\/p>\n
Well, lunch is over… back to work!<\/p>\n
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I’m exactly halfway through week 1 of systems (lunch on Wednesday) on the DC-10. This is the meat and potatoes of the airplane. My initial reaction when looking at the cockpit was to think that this was going to be pretty difficult. I knew the systems were similar to the \u2026 Continue reading