Introduction to Pilot Podcast

➤ Introduction
➤ Life as a Junior First Officer
➤ Airline Training vs CPL Training
➤ Flight Preparation
➤ Flight Safety for Pilot Training
➤ Incidents during Flight Training
➤ Assessment Factors for Pilots
➤ How to Select a Flight School?
➤ Requirement for DGCA CPL
➤ Situational Awareness for a Pilot
➤ Accident / Incident Certificate
➤ Conclusion

Key Points

  • Supernumerary Phase

    30 sectors/week (Mumbai→Luknow/Kapur/Gwalior/Surat etc.), 12hr duties w/ATC delays, rapid cockpit prep (fuel/performance/weight) builds confidence via captain cross-checks.

  • Airline vs CPL Prep

    Weather (departure/enroute/dest/alternate), NOTAMs (runway closures), fuel planning (marginal minima=extra fuel/2 alts), performance calcs critical vs CPL's minimal runway concerns.

  • SOPs Critical:

    "Written in blood"—taxi limits (15kt apron/30kt straight/50kt expedite), pushback/departure clearance (new to CPL), centerline focus prevents incidents.

  • Safety Incident Example

    US solo XC runway excursion due differential braking (new brake vs worn)—highlights pre-taxi checks, learn from others' mistakes.

  • 9 Pilot Competencies

    Procedures, communication, flight path mgmt, situational awareness, problem-solving, knowledge, workload mgmt—self-grade if school lacks system.​

  • Flight School Selection

    US preferred (₹55-60L, controlled airports, 1:5 ratio, DGCA-aware schools, in-house maint); avoid cheapest (old C152s/hidden fees); LiveATC.net for RT practice.​

Summary

WingedEngineer (post-sim JFO supernumerary) and Capt. Neha compare phases: airline's intense prep (weather/NOTAM/fuel/performance, pushback/taxi SOPs, Delhi/BLR complexity) vs CPL's simpler calcs; safety emphasis (SOPs "written in blood," taxi speeds, differential braking incident); 9 competencies (situational awareness/workload key); DGCA CPL reqs (200hr/100PIC/50XC solo/300nm/40IR/5night); US training edge (controlled fields/RT practice) if finances allow—self-grade progress, LiveATC.net prep.

Conclusion

Airline training demands SOP discipline, rapid calcs, situational awareness vs CPL basics—respect aircraft limits for no-incident certificate; select DGCA-compliant US schools (maintenance/ratio/location) over cheapest options.

FAQ

  • What's different about airline vs CPL flight preparation?

    Airline: weather/NOTAM/fuel/performance calcs, pushback clearance, captain cross-checks; CPL: manual logs, minimal performance due long runways.

  • Why are SOPs called "written in blood"?

    Developed from fatal accidents—taxi limits (15kt apron/30kt straight) prevent collisions; follow sequence exactly for safe flights.

  • DGCA CPL flight time requirements?

    200hr total (100PIC solo, 50 cross-country solo w/300nm triangular/2 stops), 40IR (20 actual), 5 night hr/10 TOL, recent 15PIC.

  • Example training incident and lesson?

    US solo runway excursion from differential braking (new vs worn brake)—always check brake effectiveness pre-taxi, learn from others.

  • How to select US flight school for DGCA CPL?

    DGCA-aware (200hr reqs), controlled airport (RT practice), 1:5 instructor ratio, in-house maintenance, avoid cheapest C152s/hidden fees.

  • 9 core pilot competencies assessed?

    Procedures/comms/flight path mgmt/situational awareness/problem-solving/decision-making/knowledge/workload mgmt—self-grade if needed.