Salt Lake CQ, and Skiing Too: Learning to Love Recurrent Training

As an airline captain over 40, passing a two-day bout of continuing qualification simulator practice is required every six months.

Sam Weigel

Monday, August 04, 2025 at 08:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Key Takeaways:

Professional airline pilots are required to periodically complete various training and evaluations, including medical checks, ground school, and simulator sessions, to maintain their qualifications.
Airline training philosophy has evolved from intense systems-focused instruction to a "kinder, gentler" approach emphasizing quick reference handbooks, resource management, and practical real-world scenarios, influenced by programs like the FAA's AQP.
While recurrent training has become less stressful for the experienced author, the location and amenities of training facilities significantly impact the overall experience, with new, more desirable centers improving satisfaction and even influencing career decisions.

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As a professional pilot operating under Part 121, there are a couple of easy but important hoops I am required to periodically jump through in order to retain my usually cushy, admittedly well-paid sinecure.

Being a captain over the age of 40, I must procure a fresh Class I medical every six calendar months. Once a quarter, I slog through several hours of online ground school. Every 24 months, a line check airman sits on my jumpseat for a few legs and confirms that I can go at least one whole day without terrorizing my first officers or endangering the general public.