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How/Do Pilot Edge ATC Feel re: Airliner/Non-Airliner vs Exp

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 8:54 am
by ccrepon88
I couldn't really fit the question into the subject , sorry!
How do PE controllers think or feel about pilots like myself, who still have a fairly good deal left to learn (not that we ever stop learning as the cliche kind of goes) flying airliners? Myself I mostly fly the B73x (-2 through -8) and MD-88. Just wondering if it's a pet peeve even of PE ATC when pilots like myself who clearly have some learning left to do are functioning on the network as an American Airlines pilot or another airline. At least I'm not flying heavies, and have a good amount of knowledge and practice, but how about more novice pilots? I don't think there's any rule on this, but just curious if any controller wants to open up... or anyone else chime in about this, too.

Re: How/Do Pilot Edge ATC Feel re: Airliner/Non-Airliner vs

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:21 am
by Keith Smith
I'm so glad you brought this up. We're plan on improving our messaging to new clients to set expectations around this very topic.

PilotEdge is a training network, yes, but it also strives to provide a realistic environment. It's perfectly realistic for r/w student pilots and IFR students to make a wide range of reasonable errors during their training towards a their PPL or instrument rating. In reality, pre-solo students have an instructor with them to mitigate a lot of those mistakes, but post-solo students can certainly get themselves into a pickle pretty easily. Similarly, instrument students have a CFII present during their training, so they don't get themselves into too much hot water, but on PilotEdge, there's a lot more solo operation, so we expect a higher error rate than the real world.

That said, there is just NOTHING realistic about someone who hasn't got a firm grasp of the fundamentals while flying a transport category jet from LAX to LAS, or any other major city pair. It just doesn't happen in the real world, under ANY circumstance. As a result, it is somewhat damaging to the network in terms of maintaining any level of realism and fidelity to have someone doing some of their first serious IFR flights in a 737-800 with no real idea about the nuances of SIDs, STARs, IFR phraseology, etc.

So, it's highly recommended that you master the fundamentals in a single or twin engine piston, utilizing the I-ratings to learn the ropes. You'll get a lot more patience from controllers under those circumstances than you will if you hope into a twin engine Part 121 jet operation.

With great gross weight comes great responsibility.

Re: How/Do Pilot Edge ATC Feel re: Airliner/Non-Airliner vs

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 9:23 am
by ccrepon88
Hey Keith! Thanks again as always for a great reply to my question. There must be something being done right in this very issue/topic's realm if I, not being told any of this directly, was kind of able to infer it :)
[Cut out a long personal story reflecting my own learning on PE, as it was... too long]
Too long; don't read being thanks, I see where you are coming from and have some improvement left to make. Also, I've yet to get any of your category ratings but would like to, in the future. Love the quote at the end, too! Have a nice weekend, sir


Chris