Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations |
777 FO Exam |
DVA3068
Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on April 18 2006
Online Double Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"I'm retired... go around!" Grand Prairie, TX USA
585 legs, 1,540.2 hours
466 legs,
1,250.8 hours online 553 legs,
1,456.8 hours ACARS 7 legs,
23.3 hours event 788 legs, 2,051.8 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 05:40 ET by Gary Fournerat
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I just tried taking the 777 FO exam and ran into all kinds of problems. I use Google Chrome, and I don't think the exam accepts that browser, or if it does, I've got more serious problems than failing the exam.
After several minutes, what showed up on my monitor was the last 19 questions. I could not scroll up at all, to get to the first 19 questions. At that point I ended the exam by submitting what I could see.
On another note, I am curious why DVA goes through the trouble to create and publish Aircraft Operating Manuals, when those manuals are not the basis for our FO exams (at least not the T7's)? If we're not going to use them, why have them?
I am also dumfounded by so many panel questions, posed to a pilot that may have seen that panel for all of two or three hours, if that much. Why not have questions that directly test a pilot's knowledge of the airframe rather than aeronautical terminology.
Overall, I'm quite disappointed in the 777 FO exam experience, but I have to say that it follows the same pattern other programs use for testing here at DVA.. meaning rather than build upon a pilot's flight experiences to get him/her into more advanced airframes, we come up with "off the wall" exam questions to slow them down.
Cheers!
Gary FourneratCaptain, L-1011-100
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DVA1303
Assistant Chief Pilot, A320
Joined on August 24 2003
Toulouse Century Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
Quincentenary Club
Crystal Lake, IL
524 legs, 1,001.2 hours
473 legs,
896.1 hours online 496 legs,
955.6 hours ACARS 2 legs,
4.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 08:31 ET by Jim McMannamy
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I think it has something to do with demonstrating the knowledge (or the ability to find the knowledge) that someone in a higher staged program should have. Realistically, flying a CRJ requires the same general aeronautical knowledge as flying a 777, but in a setup like we have at Delta Virtual, being rated in the higher-stage airframes shows a more complete understanding of some of the more advanced knowledge subject areas. I took the A330 FO exam yesterday, and it was like the 777 exam; more than browsing the manual as I took the test without actually knowing anything more than scrolling through a PDF file. It was a good all-around test on the airframe, some propulsion systems, airline operations, and general airmanship. It's like the checkrides, too -- we have to show good general airmanship as well as the ability to simply fly the airplane.
Jim McMannamyAssistant Chief Pilot, A320
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DVA3068
Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on April 18 2006
Online Double Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"I'm retired... go around!" Grand Prairie, TX USA
585 legs, 1,540.2 hours
466 legs,
1,250.8 hours online 553 legs,
1,456.8 hours ACARS 7 legs,
23.3 hours event 788 legs, 2,051.8 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 09:43 ET by Gary Fournerat
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Thank you Jim for the effort you put into helping me understand.
I am aware the ability to find knowledge is a valuable skill set, but is that the skill set we want to test in our FO exams? I don't think so. I tend to think that if I were a Chief Pilot, I would want my Aircraft Operation Manual to contain all the pertinent information necessary to adequately fly the airframe in a responsible manner, and create my FO exam from that information. But rather than do that, I'm finding we scatter the information amongst several pubs, and omit it entirely from the places you would most expect to find it, or give the answer in one format (KIAS) while asking the question in another (MACH). This kind of slick reformatting of the question does not make a better exam.
We seem to go to great lengths here to make our exams as confusing and as complicated as we can possibly make them, and for what purpose? I'm getting the feeling there is some kind of reward, or status symbol, associated with the exam with the highest first time failure rate.. when we should actually be celebrating the exam with the highest first time passing rate.
I would propose making it mandatory for all FO exam questions to come solely from the airframes AOM. This would force Chief Pilots to maintain their respective AOM, and turn them into something useful once again.
Gary FourneratCaptain, L-1011-100
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DVA3196
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP, COMM
Joined on June 03 2006
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
Six Century Club
"pitchpowertrim.com" Anderson, MO
619 legs, 1,093.4 hours
292 legs,
503.1 hours online 580 legs,
1,026.5 hours ACARS 89 legs,
191.0 hours event 236 legs dispatched, 110.1
hours
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 10:08 ET by Michael Brown
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Gary Fournerat wrote:
I just tried taking the 777 FO exam and ran into all kinds of problems. I use Google Chrome, and I don't think the exam accepts that browser, or if it does, I've got more serious problems than failing the exam.
After several minutes, what showed up on my monitor was the last 19 questions. I could not scroll up at all, to get to the first 19 questions. At that point I ended the exam by submitting what I could see.
On another note, I am curious why DVA goes through the trouble to create and publish Aircraft Operating Manuals, when those manuals are not the basis for our FO exams (at least not the T7's)? If we're not going to use them, why have them?
I am also dumfounded by so many panel questions, posed to a pilot that may have seen that panel for all of two or three hours, if that much. Why not have questions that directly test a pilot's knowledge of the airframe rather than aeronautical terminology.
Overall, I'm quite disappointed in the 777 FO exam experience, but I have to say that it follows the same pattern other programs use for testing here at DVA.. meaning rather than build upon a pilot's flight experiences to get him/her into more advanced airframes, we come up with "off the wall" exam questions to slow them down.
Cheers!
I have taken a ton of exams here at DVA and can confidentially say 98% of the info you need to be successful at the exams is in the document library. As for the other 2% ... I probably just missed it. With a little studying the exams are far from difficult. Just my two cents anyways.
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DVA2370
Senior Captain, B737-800
OLP, COMM, VFRADV
Joined on May 26 2005
Online Triple Century Club
Commuter Conquest
Six Century Club
Stage 1 Prop Triple Century Club
50 State Club
US Coastal Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Flagler Beach, FL USA
675 legs, 726.8 hours
319 legs,
311.4 hours online 179 legs,
146.1 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.6 hours event 0 legs dispatched, 4.0
hours
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 10:24 ET by Scott Clarke
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You all bring up great points.....we are presently updating and re doing the DVA Flight academy and also working with chief pilots and their AOM's. We have looked at what you are talking about and plan to do just like you say....we plan on "type ratings" that are airframe specific, etc.....we are sure you understand that this is a huge undertaking by a small group of volunteers that make DVA the best on the internet....keep letting us know your ideas and as we go thru this complete re write of the programs, tests, documents, AOM's, questions, etc, we will keep your ideas in mind....
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DVA5929
Senior Captain, B747-400
OLP
Joined on May 10 2008
Million Mile Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Everett 500 Club
Globetrotter
Six Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"It's buried under a big W!" TX USA
651 legs, 3,806.1 hours
472 legs,
2,922.9 hours online 565 legs,
3,319.5 hours ACARS 8 legs,
18.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 11:45 ET by Nicholas Carpenter
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Gary, I think I understand what you are trying to say, which is "why test people on basic (or sometimes not so basic) aeronautical knowledge rather than that which will help them in their flying of the aircraft?" I believe your answer is in the checkrides. The CR's will help you to prove your airmanship with an aircraft, information that can be tested in a written exam. If you have no problems with a CR, than great! If you have troubles, your CP or ACP will help you with their knowledge and experience to try and make you a better pilot. A lot can be gained by using the document library and bouncing any questions, comments or concerns off of that a/c program staff. Scott brings up a good point when he mentions the overhaul they are working on for the Academy and other portions of DVA. I am eagerly waiting for this too.
Is this the point you were trying to make?
Regards,
Nicholas
Nicholas CarpenterSenior Captain, B747-400
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DVA8562
Captain, B747-400
Joined on April 30 2010
50 State Club
Double Century Club
"...and I was gonna learn to fly. HC" Prescott Valley, AZ
230 legs, 449.5 hours
229 legs,
448.1 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 15:07 ET by Robert Delorenzo
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I just passed my 777 FO written exam (29 out of 30, first try) a few days ago...I like the exams...just the way they are.
I have passed all my written tests the first time by studying the pertinent documents found in the library. I usually miss one or two questions and sometimes more. But just like RW driving tests in my case, for instance, (I have a CDL B with P and S endorsments) it only matters if you pass...not by how much. By the way...I've been driving a school bus for 2 years, no tickets or accidents - in case you thought I might be a menace to other drivers because of my approach to test taking. LOL
However, I do occasionally have to scratch my head and wonder why a certain question was asked...but for the most part I find the questions to be fair and relevent. I personally see the tests and CR's as more of a "formality" than any type of true aeronautical learning experience.
I say this because I'm sure they are nowhere near as difficult as in the RW. After all...it's only a VIRTUAL (game) AIRLINE...let's not get too obsessive.
I'm not sure about making the test more "airframe specific". I feel that many, many "pilots" like myself use payware aircraft that are often far more complicated and require a deeper understanding of systems etc. and are often even more "accurate" as far as the "numbers" go. So I'm in favor of keeping the current ratio of generalized to aircraft-specific questions.
In fact the only real complaint I have so far is that on occasion, I'll have to use DVA's version
of a plane instead of my payware version...so I have to learn a "new" plane only for the purpose of passing a checkride because I have no intention of ever flying that version again. No big deal really...I just do what I have to do to advance within the airline's rules.
Bob
Robert DelorenzoCaptain, B747-400
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DVA3068
Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on April 18 2006
Online Double Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"I'm retired... go around!" Grand Prairie, TX USA
585 legs, 1,540.2 hours
466 legs,
1,250.8 hours online 553 legs,
1,456.8 hours ACARS 7 legs,
23.3 hours event 788 legs, 2,051.8 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 19:02 ET by Gary Fournerat
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Mr. Delorenzo:
Are you aware of the fact that there are different "versions" of each of these FO exams? Meaning, you could take version A, and I could take version D, but we both took the B777 FO Exam. Also meaning, your 30 questions probably are not the same 30 questions I was given. So when you try to compare your test results with mine, you're actually comparing apples to oranges.. probably. But thank you very much for your input.
Unlike yourself, I do not use payware aircraft. I am on a fixed income and it took me six months of saving to afford my new printer. And now that I have a hardcopy printout of the B777 AOM, as well as a printout of the DVA Flight Encyclopedia, I can now begin to actually study the material, which, until now, I was only able to read over. I might also mention that after printing these two documents out, I now am needing a new black ink cartridge. It would help a lot if we had printer friendly versions of our documentation.
I might also mention that the version of the B777 FO Exam I took was quite heavy in questions related to the fleet version's panel. If I were using a payware 777, I'd have had no clue what the questions were asking. Something to consider the next time you want to jump on someone that did less than 29 out of 30.
Mr. Brown:
I would say that you are probably right, 98% of the info you need is in the Document Library.. for most of our programs. But that's not the case with ALL of our programs, and that's where I see room for improvement. To be specific, I ran into a situation where a question was asked looking for a range of mach speeds, but all that is supplied is a chart listing indicated air speed. All I am asking for is fairness in testing. If a Chief Pilot wants to ask what his airframe's range is, put the answer in the AOM. Don't make me go hunt through three or four documents to find what "should" be in the AOM.
You know, there was a time when the military, and specifically the aviation industry, used to be the epitome of effectiveness and proficiency. Everything you would ever want to know about an aircraft could be found in the AOM. I know this because I was once the Site Supervisor with Link Aerospace on their B-52H Simulator at Carswell AFB, TX. So why DVA seems to refuse to consolidate its airframe data in a manner that emulates the aviation industry is beyond me. Instead, we fragment our data across a handful of manuals, and then belittle those that cannot find or produce printouts of that data (for studying), with testimonials from more fortunate soles that graded out with 29 out of 30, on their first try.
And lastly, Nicholas.. I LOVE New Braunfels!! What I'm trying to say is this... I don't care what a Chief Pilot decides to test us on (even if it's tire pressure in the front gear), I just want the question's answer accessible in the AOM. I've got a few questions from a CP I'm looking at that asks for a "range" of numbers, and that range is mentioned nowhere in his AOM. And I say "his" AOM, because that is exactly what an AOM is.. it should be the property of the program's Chief Pilot - he needs to take complete responsibility for what is, and what is not, in that manual. If he is asking FO Exam questions that are not covered in his AOM, he's not playing fairly.
Gary FourneratCaptain, L-1011-100
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DVA5929
Senior Captain, B747-400
OLP
Joined on May 10 2008
Million Mile Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Everett 500 Club
Globetrotter
Six Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"It's buried under a big W!" TX USA
651 legs, 3,806.1 hours
472 legs,
2,922.9 hours online 565 legs,
3,319.5 hours ACARS 8 legs,
18.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 20:14 ET by Nicholas Carpenter
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I'm glad you like NB, Gary. I belive that what you are saying is that the questions contained in an FO exam should be in the related a/c's AOM? Well, yes and no. As you progress, the higher stage programs, mostly stage 4, will also want to test on some basic international knowledge because the ranges will mean more likelihood of flying in other countries, knowledge that is critical for VATSIM or IVAO. But, you couldn't ask a CP or ACP to have information about German transition altitudes or terminal procedures in a 777 manual.
Nicholas CarpenterSenior Captain, B747-400
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DVA8562
Captain, B747-400
Joined on April 30 2010
50 State Club
Double Century Club
"...and I was gonna learn to fly. HC" Prescott Valley, AZ
230 legs, 449.5 hours
229 legs,
448.1 hours ACARS
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Posted onPost created on
May 23 2010 21:12 ET by Robert Delorenzo
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"Mr. Delorenzo:
Are you aware of the fact that there are different "versions" of each of these FO exams? Meaning, you could take version A, and I could take version D, but we both took the B777 FO Exam. Also meaning, your 30 questions probably are not the same 30 questions I was given. So when you try to compare your test results with mine, you're actually comparing apples to oranges.. probably. But thank you very much for your input.
Unlike yourself, I do not use payware aircraft. I am on a fixed income and it took me six months of saving to afford my new printer. And now that I have a hardcopy printout of the B777 AOM, as well as a printout of the DVA Flight Encyclopedia, I can now begin to actually study the material, which, until now, I was only able to read over. I might also mention that after printing these two documents out, I now am needing a new black ink cartridge. It would help a lot if we had printer friendly versions of our documentation.
I might also mention that the version of the B777 FO Exam I took was quite heavy in questions related to the fleet version's panel. If I were using a payware 777, I'd have had no clue what the questions were asking. Something to consider the next time you want to jump on someone that did less than 29 out of 30."
Gary,
I'm quite sorry if I made you feel "jumped on". My only intention was to express my opinion on this subject...not to negate yours.
I was trying to make the point that even though I use payware exclusively I still was able to answer questions pertaining to the DVA version by studying the literature found in the library.
Much to my dismay, the test I took was also "quite heavy in questions related to the fleet version's panel." In addition, I have to use the fleet version for my CR which is my pet peeve with this particular VA.
I just don't think it's a "fault" on DVA's part. After all, it's their airline...who am I to tell them what should be on their test or CR?
They've been in business a long time, I think it's up to me to ajust to their rules...I may make a few constructive suggestions here and there but they have the final say and I accept that. If I couldn't accept it...I'd just quit.
It's only a game...and there are many, many virtual airlines out there with even more ridiculous rules and regulations...I know this because I'm a member of a quite a few of them. IMO, DVA's promotion model is absolutely the best...mostly because their acars system is very hard to beat! For me, they have just the right amount of rules to make it interesting but not enough to make it frustrating. There are a few VA's that I'm a member of that are so obtuse as far as promotions go, that I just fly the smaller aircraft in their fleet as a first officer because it's too much trouble to advance...This is not a problem for me...they don't demand that I advance and when I feel like flying "regionals" I log in and enjoy myself.
Anyway, all this is just my opinion...this is not to say I'm right and your wrong...So, so, sorry if I came off that way. I'm probably just geting too old and "old school" when I express myself.
Bob
Robert DelorenzoCaptain, B747-400
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DVA6856
Captain, B777-200
Joined on December 25 2008
Century Club
50 State Club
Everett Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Plano, TX USA
187 legs, 563.5 hours
77 legs,
158.5 hours online 178 legs,
548.7 hours ACARS 27 legs,
62.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
May 24 2010 20:41 ET by Kerry Munson
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I'm with Gary w/regard to the FO exam. Although I passed the exam, most of the questions I missed were NOT TO BE FOUND in either the AOM or the encyclopedia. When I asked the ACP for some assistance in finding the answers to my missed questions, I got a very snooty "NO" response. This attitude was very dis-appointing to me, because I thought the senior pilots were supposed to assist us in being better pilots. Because of this, (and my CR experience), I'm not real thrilled about flying the T7, but I'm going to give it a little longer before I decide if I want to switch airframes again. I guess I'll have to search the web and hope I find the correct answers to the exam questions I missed.
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DVA5929
Senior Captain, B747-400
OLP
Joined on May 10 2008
Million Mile Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Everett 500 Club
Globetrotter
Six Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
"It's buried under a big W!" TX USA
651 legs, 3,806.1 hours
472 legs,
2,922.9 hours online 565 legs,
3,319.5 hours ACARS 8 legs,
18.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
May 24 2010 21:50 ET by Nicholas Carpenter
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Kerry Munson wrote:When I asked the ACP for some assistance in finding the answers to my missed questions, I got a very snooty "NO" response.quote]
Please, Kerry, none of that is needed. Much meaning can be lost in typing, but I can guarantee you there was not a "snooty" no response. But to be fair to you I must say I didn't see your correspondance.
Regards,
Nicholas
Nicholas CarpenterSenior Captain, B747-400
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DVA3068
Captain, L-1011-100
Joined on April 18 2006
Online Double Century Club
Quincentenary Club
"I'm retired... go around!" Grand Prairie, TX USA
585 legs, 1,540.2 hours
466 legs,
1,250.8 hours online 553 legs,
1,456.8 hours ACARS 7 legs,
23.3 hours event 788 legs, 2,051.8 hours total
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Posted onPost created on
May 24 2010 23:22 ET by Gary Fournerat
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Gentlemen,
Oliver and DVA (as seen by the post from Mr. Clarke) are aware we have issues with the program. I have been exchanging emails with Oliver and I am happy to say we have found at least one error in the grading of the B777 FO Exam, and I believe there are others. It is being reviewed as I type this thread.
But know that that is what we are about... we are self-aware. We grow, we discover, we correct, and we grow some more. Everybody is not going to be completely happy all the time - look at me - I wasn't. But because I wasn't, we're correcting, and moving on.
Dialogs like what we read from Kerry are actually opportunities for growth. As a virtual airline, we need to encourage more pilots to express their experiences, as Kerry did, so we can discover and correct. While I'm disappointed that Kerry had to experience the same things I did, I'm thrilled he spoke out so we can finally address this issue, and through this process of discovery, correct the problem and make him/us better pilots through the new knowledge we've acquired. I say, "Right ON Kerry!"
As far as virtual airlines go, I believe Delta VA is right on the cutting edge of this technology. And we got here by having people, like Kerry, that don't accept second best. Think about this; pilots have been taking the B777 FO Exam, in its current version, for some time now. And all this time, I am the first person to say, "Whoa! But the AOM says this..." Oliver is getting it fixed, and then we move on. It's like.. we plugged another hole in the roof.
And as a note to everybody.. DVA is in a state of flux right now. We have all these programs, some of them new, some of them old, with an entire hierarchy of staff to support it all, and then we have our Flight Academy as well. With regard to educating pilots, both of these departments have enormous roles, but defining those roles is a challenge. Educating us in how to conduct a Back Course Approach is the job of the Academy, while teaching us how to calculate a fuel load would come under the Chief Pilot's umbrella. Or should it? Where do we draw the line? These are the discussions and decisions taking place now, FOR US!
So, whenever any of us discovers a hole in the roof, I say it is your responsibility, as a member of this VA, to climb into the water cooler and let it be known what you've found... for the betterment of us all.
I'll get off this soapbox now.
Gary FourneratCaptain, L-1011-100
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DVA3392
Senior Captain, B777-200
Joined on July 27 2006
Online Double Century Club
Three Million Mile Club
Millennium Club
"Triple Seven's where it's at!" Dublin, OH USA
1,020 legs, 6,303.4 hours
269 legs,
1,385.2 hours online 929 legs,
5,724.6 hours ACARS 11 legs,
36.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
June 04 2010 16:13 ET by Jarred Daugherty
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I would gladly take on the task of re-writing the 777 AOM with payware info included and the most up to date information on the 200ER and LR models Delta now flies as well ass codeshare 300ERs and 300s!
Any questions regarding 777 i will gladly answer promptly via PM on acars or an email to DCHSTenor@gmail.com
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DVA3392
Senior Captain, B777-200
Joined on July 27 2006
Online Double Century Club
Three Million Mile Club
Millennium Club
"Triple Seven's where it's at!" Dublin, OH USA
1,020 legs, 6,303.4 hours
269 legs,
1,385.2 hours online 929 legs,
5,724.6 hours ACARS 11 legs,
36.0 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
June 04 2010 22:52 ET by Jarred Daugherty
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as we as* typo my bad
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DVA1142
First Officer, B777-200
OLP
Joined on March 19 2003
Six Century Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Fairlight, East Sussex GB
663 legs, 1,775.0 hours
406 legs,
1,095.1 hours online 309 legs,
961.3 hours ACARS 2 legs,
4.4 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
June 05 2010 14:48 ET by Daniel Edwards
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I understand some of the frustrations regarding exam questions/finding the information. A real world type rating written exam is based almost entirely on the technical manual (FCOM2 depending on your airframe). It's also a closed-book exam, no reference to any notes. I don't think many people really want an exam that tech heavy. As others have mentioned due to the nature of latter stage aircraft the destinations are different to those of the USA so involving questions regarding general airmanship is a useful exercise. These are the kinds of questions that would normally be covered as a discussion item during Line Training with a Training Captain. Then the checkrides DeltaVA have are an attempt to replicate a type-rating checkride. Of course, a real type rating checkride would involve EFATOs, RTOs, S/E ILS, S/E go-around, non-precision approaches and then three other failure items such as a failure relating to the fuel system, hydraulics, electrics, flight instruments etc. That's difficult to replicate on Microsoft Flight Simulator so it's the checkride that is essentially your Line Check - show that you can operate the aircraft competently on a normal sector. That's what the checkride is there for.
Regarding manuals, most airlines will have several manuals for each type. There's the FCOM1 - Flying Manual, which includes Limitations (eg. Vmo/Mmo, EGT limits etc), Normal Procedures (duties and SOPs on a typical sector) and Supplementary Procedures (eg. Cross-bleed start). Then there's the FCOM2 - Technical Manual, which will tell you more than you'll ever need to know about how every system on the aircraft works. There's the QRH - Quick Reference Handbook, with emergency checklists. There's the MEL - Minimum Equipment List, detailing the systems that have acceptable defects and any operational requirements due to that defect. There may be a performance manual with information such as corrections for contaminated runways etc. There could be a Route Information Manual, which may not necessarily be type-specific but nearly all aircraft will carry one if an airline has a RIM. This is without mentioning Flight Crew Procedures that encorporate SOPs on all types (the airline's operational rulebook for flight time limitations or AWOPs, fuel carriage etc.) These are manuals that have their own separate purpose yet could all be drawn upon for an annual technical questionnaire that pilots (in Europe at least) have to pass once a year as part of their type rating renewal. The ATQ is open book, but the initial type rating exam is closed book.
I'm not sure about your gripe regarding questions relating to the aircraft panel. Most Boeing panels are designed for ease of transition from one type to another, they're all fairly similar (if you exclude 777 advances in electronic checklists etc.) and being able to fly the aircraft well generally requires a knowledge of the panels. I accept that the system may not be perfect, there may be individual question errors, I know I've had answers marked incorrectly when I know for a fact it's correct (few clouds = 1 or 2 oktas is the same as 1/8 or 2/8!) but it happens. It's the exception though. Things will get amended over time and constructive feedback will be welcomed. Hopefully from that feedback things can be improved
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DVA2370
Senior Captain, B737-800
OLP, COMM, VFRADV
Joined on May 26 2005
Online Triple Century Club
Commuter Conquest
Six Century Club
Stage 1 Prop Triple Century Club
50 State Club
US Coastal Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary
Flagler Beach, FL USA
675 legs, 726.8 hours
319 legs,
311.4 hours online 179 legs,
146.1 hours ACARS 1 legs,
1.6 hours event 0 legs dispatched, 4.0
hours
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Posted onPost created on
June 06 2010 20:38 ET by Scott Clarke
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Danny, Gary and others....thanks for the input....all of you are just confirming some of our thoughts on where we should be heading, basic flight academy with Ground School, PPL, Comm, IFR, type ratings, ATP, etc.....working on many of the topics discussed and ideas you all have brought up.....keep it coming!
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DVA7702
Captain, B747-400
Joined on August 25 2009
"If it ain't Boeing, I'm not going!" Scandinavia
75 legs, 174.7 hours
41 legs,
104.7 hours online 61 legs,
131.4 hours ACARS 7 legs,
19.5 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
June 07 2010 00:50 ET by Tommy Hansen
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How about spiltting up the exams more. Like it is now, I feel that I get the exact same exam over and over again.
We could have a general section exams for all programs, navigation,general tech stuff,charts,weather,basic flight stuff etc. etc.
Then the Type Rating exam specific for the aircraft is question and leave the checkride as is.
And then a more in depth exam for Capt. Rating. Both general and type specific.
I think that would make the best VA in the business even better!
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DVA057
Senior Captain, B777-200
COMM
Joined on June 02 2002
Events Century Club
Six Century Club
Online Quintuple Century Club
Everett 500 Club
50 State Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
"We Are ... Penn State!" Atlanta, GA USA
672 legs, 1,338.4 hours
531 legs,
1,076.4 hours online 392 legs,
786.1 hours ACARS 190 legs,
406.3 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
June 07 2010 01:48 ET by Terry Eshenour
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Tommy,
The approach you suggest has been in the works for the last 6 months. We will have program specific questions and aviation topic exams that vary depending on the Stage. Hopefully the exams and supporting materials will be finalized shortly.
Regards,
Terry
Terry EshenourSenior Captain, B777-200
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DVA6856
Captain, B777-200
Joined on December 25 2008
Century Club
50 State Club
Everett Century Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Plano, TX USA
187 legs, 563.5 hours
77 legs,
158.5 hours online 178 legs,
548.7 hours ACARS 27 legs,
62.9 hours event
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Posted onPost created on
June 07 2010 16:18 ET by Kerry Munson
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Just one thing to add on the exams... please make available any and all information needed to pass the exams... for example, if we need to review outside sources beside the DVA docs (which currently don't have all the necessary information), make us aware of where to find the information BEFORE we click to take the exam (i.e. perhaps a page on required information or links for information needed for taking the exams). Does that make sense? I still haven't been able to find the answers to the questions I missed on the T7 FO exam. I want to know the answers before taking the exam for CAPT. Thanks. Kerry
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