Rupert.Pupkin wrote: ↑Wed Sep 12, 2018 8:55 am
DH8Pilot wrote: ↑Wed Sep 12, 2018 5:08 am
I think the point shouldn't be centred around which aircraft is the easiest to pass in the sim, or which aircraft is the most taxing to fly. Instead, I think it should be centred on which aircraft is the most conducive to developing good piloting knowledge and skills for a low-time pilot. In my opinion, that's the DH8, hands-down.
Define good piloting knowledge and skills. The reality is all of our aircraft have autopilot so its not very difficult no matter which aircraft you are on. Plus you have a captain to hold your hand the entire way.
In my opinion, the first 1000hrs of a pilot's career are fundamental in developing their knowledge and hands-and-feet flying. While I agree the extent to which this is possible at Jazz is limited, relative to the northern flying much of us started with, the DH8 offers the best option to do so of all the aircraft in the fleet.
Like I said earlier, you're down low in the weather, doing the most amounts of legs per day. The more you get to see this type of operation, the better off you are. Like anything, practice makes perfect, and I'd argue a low-time pilot would benefit more doing a bunch of short DH8 hops per day, than a couple of longer RJ flights, up above the weather, landing on long runways with almost exclusively ILS approaches.
As mentioned by another user, the DH8 is a more forgiving aircraft flying wise, making it an easier transition from the trainer type aircraft the college applicants would've flown before. However, in terms of system knowledge, I'd argue the DH8 demands a greater extent of it, given the limited help it gives you with respect to indicators and the QRH. I've never flown the Q or RJ, but those I know who've transitioned onto it say these planes will do a lot more for your in emergencies.