The “1500-hour rule” has been a flashpoint in U.S. aviation ever since Congress imposed it in 2013. Proponents say it makes flying safer. Critics argue it is unnecessary and drives up costs. But what the rule actually requires, and what it really accomplishes, is often misunderstood. 121 pilot, our resident commercial airline pilot on Live And Let’s Fly, brings us a two-part story on “1500-hour rule” for commercial airline pilots. Here’s part one.
Every day is a new challenge and may mean a student who is making a mistake you haven’t seen before. Being an instructor also means that you’re the pilot in command. You’re the ultimate authority when decisions have to be made regarding the safe conduct of the flight. That practice in aeronautical decision-making leads to better airmanship, the need for which I’ve written about in the past (Link Here).
When you’re sitting in the right seat of a 737 you’re aware of decisions being made and the better Captains will involve you in them. But that’s not the same thing as sitting in the left seat yourself. Study after study has shown the best way to learn something is to teach it and that’s very true in aviation. I also believe that the hours spent actually flying small general aviation types early in your career lay an enormously valuable foundation in terms of skills. A foundation you don’t get when you move into a modern highly automated jet very early in your career where you spend the majority of your time watching the automation do its thing.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
