Airline Career Preparation Program

Monday, April 6th 2009. That was the day we started with the last - but certainly not least - "leg" of the training: the ACPP. This part is the Multi Crew Course (MCC), but instead of using a fixed base simulator, we're trained on full flight simulators. A brief introduction, 3 days of computer based training to learn a few systems of the boeing 737NG, some Flight Management Computer sessions and finally 6 "real" flights on the simulator with full motion. A great experience! May the 7th was the last mission, mission 7 (evaluation) with an examiner.

the cockpit of a Boeing 737NG (New Generation)

Boeing 737NG, Pegasus, ready for departure RWY 07R at Brussels

Unfortunatly, due to the worldwide economic crisis, finding a job as an ab-initio pilot isn't easy these days. Most companies aren't hiring for the moment, and if they do, the requirements are pretty high (1500 hours total time, willing to pay for an (expensive) type rating, etc). No one knows when this situation will improve, nor if we're at the bottom of the barrel. At least I might consider myself lucky since I can still apply for job in the IT world with my graduate and previous working experience, which I certainly will do.