The Hawker/Beechjet 400XP and Hawker 800/900XP series of aircraft are very sophisticated and advanced pieces of machinery. The pilots that operate our fleet of Hawkers are the brains behind our safe and efficient operation. Training is at the forefront of safe flight operations. To make sure the pilots are current and up-to-date in the ever-changing environment of corporate aviation, they undergo a yearly recurrent or “refresher” training on the airplane. There are two main facilities that specialize in pilot training for our two versions of Hawkers. Flight Safety International and CAE SimuFlite are the leaders in advanced simulator-based training. The use of simulators aids pilots in enhanced safety and awareness of potential hazards that are too dangerous to practice in the actual airplane. Using simulators and ground training paints an overall picture of the latest issues in aviation safety.

 

     Before being able to fly the Hawker line of aircraft all of our pilots will attended the intense 15-day initial type rating training. This training consists of six days of ground school and nine days’ worth of simulator sessions. These classes are accomplished at Flight Safety International (FSI) located at Beechcraft Field in Wichita, Kansas or CAE SimuFlite in Dallas, TX.  They are the premier training facilities for business and corporate aviation. Annually they train pilots and mechanics over one million hours in 40 learning centers throughout the world. The Hawker Beechcraft Wichita Learning Center has training ranging from the single engine Bonanza to the super-midsize Hawker 4000. CAE SimuFlite’s Dallas Campus is the largest corporate aviation simulator facility in the world.  This location houses 36 full-motion level C and D simulators in its 426,000 square foot facility. Recurrent training programs consists of 4 to 5 days of a combination of ground school and simulator training. Ground school kicks off the first day of recurrent with a detailed review of all the aircraft systems. Everything from the electrical system to the air conditioning system is covered in depth. The ground school portion focuses on all components that make up a Hawker aircraft. A full eight hours a day for two to three days are devoted to refreshing each pilot on the operation and potential malfunction of the aircraft systems. This concentration on potential problems or malfunctions is the basis for recurrent training. At the conclusion of ground school, the pilots transition into the simulator. The simulators used in training are full motion Level D “sims” and cost almost double the original sales price of the real airplane. The inside looks, feels, and responses almost identically to the real thing. Once inside the simulator, the sim instructor puts our pilots through many real life scenarios. These scenarios consist of engine failures, electrical malfunctions, pressurization issues, landing gear problems, and an array of additional faults. Our pilots also train for worse cause scenarios such as complete electrical failure, engine fires, double engine failure, and others that are extremely rare occurrences. All of these malfunctions can be practiced repeatedly in the safety of the simulator to sharpen our pilots’ skills. These sim sessions last roughly four hours per session. There is an additional hour of pre and post flight briefing of events encountered in the sim. Based on performance, at the conclusion of training our pilots receive a Flight Safety Pro-Card to classify them as exceptional performers.

 

     Simulator based training also teaches the Crew Resource Management concept (CRM). This CRM is designed to aid in better communication and standardization of flight crews. With the type of flying we do, all of our pilots get to know one another pretty well and have a good working relationship. Our pilots have certain standardized procedures that make swapping two pilots a seamless transition. With recurrent training and other continuing education courses annually we feel confident in providing the safest and best service for our partners, their families, and friends. Training is not just a once a year process. Our pilots take it upon themselves both as individuals and a group to continue their aviation education throughout the year to help promote our SAFETY FIRST ATTITUDE.