It used to be that newbie, commercial pilots started out in the trial-by-fire world of check-hauling and freight-dogging in piston twins. The pilots that survived (and the majority of them did) understood the realities of single-pilot IFR at a visceral level. Those core skills were the foundation on which airline and jet-charter careers were built.
Cape Air addresses declining pilot competency by prioritizing candidates with strong cockpit discipline, in-depth system knowledge, and a detail-oriented attitude, valuing these foundational traits over raw experience.
A cornerstone of their training is the rigorous implementation of standardized cockpit "flows" (sequences of actions performed without consulting a checklist), which are then verified with comprehensive handbooks, ensuring efficiency and safety in high-workload IFR environments.
Pilots are trained to manage workload by "relandscaping" tasks, performing preparation during low-demand times, and are encouraged to hand-fly to maintain engagement, especially crucial for short, single-pilot IFR flights.
It used to be that newbie, commercial pilots started out in the trial-by-fire world of check-hauling and freight-dogging in piston twins. The pilots that survived (and the majority of them did) understood the realities of single-pilot IFR at a visceral level. Those core skills were the foundation on which airline and jet-charter careers were built.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
