Tackling A New Type

Type RatingsThere will come a time in every pilots career that they will have to transition to a new airplane. Coming from another piece of equipment you will be tempted to compare everything to the previous aircraft because that is what you are familiar with. This is not necessarily a bad thing; try to utilize the similarities and differences constructively with a ven diagram. The human brain is wired to take data and try to put order to it. One of the many ways it does this is by comparing and contrasting new information to something that is already understood. Adding a second, third, or fourth type to your certificate should be exciting and will get easier after each additional type because systems have similarities.

Going through long term training is difficult in and of itself. Before you start your training make sure that your family affairs are set on autopilot for the next month and half, because you may not be able to get back and take care of something while in training. Let your family know that for the next month you will be there as much as you can for them, however, you will be under added stress. Before heading to training try and read up on the new aircraft. If you have any friends that fly the new airplane, ask if they might be able to give you an idea of the quirks and characteristics of the new airframe.

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