LOFT (Line Orientated Flight Training)
LOFT was a really good chance for us to use the simulator to fly some actual routes and carry out a flight in real time from A to B. The experience was invaluable as we got to put all of the SOP's into practice and get a feel for where and when things happen during a standard flight. These simulator sessions also meant that the instructors had to think up some abnormal/emergency scenarios for us to deal with. However, the Airbus as automated as it is, normally knows what's wrong and how to deal with it, so it makes our life as pilots a little bit more simple.
Following the conclusion of the LOFT there was another UPART sim session followed by a competency check flight. Having been judged to be competent it was time to enjoy three weeks holiday and a chance to catch up with family and friends and enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation.
Visit to easyJet HQ at Luton
As part of the MPL course it was decided that the cadets should get to visit the airline and get the opportunity to learn about how the company runs itself. So last week we all went to Luton for a two day commercial awareness visit. Fortunately there was an A319 that happened to be free to look around, with customary flight deck and engine photos (we all looked like kids in a candy store.) Also on day one we got to see the operation control centre, the nerve centre of easyJet which was a lot smaller than I was expecting, and the crew room. It was really good to get a better feel for what day to day life at the airline is like.
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| easyJet dominating the apron at Luton |
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| Stand 9 from the flight deck |
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| The new EFB (electronic flight bag) |
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| G-EZDB |
Day two was much more focused on the financial and planning aspects of the organisation. This was fascinating and gave us wider picture of all the things easyJet do to make money and compete in such a demanding industry. As there is also an MPL course training at CAE Oxford, they also were at Luton. Talking to them about the differences between the two courses was interesting and provided an opportunity to get to know some of the other people that will be joining easyJet in the coming months.
Now the holiday is over I will have to get back into the studying spirit. It should be OK as the Luton trip put the end into perspective and our sights. The next phase of training consists of type rating ground school, which should appeal to my geeky engineering interests, and the start of flying with the automatic bells and whistles of the Airbus.
