Are you ready for the command upgrade course?
Yes, I have prepared myself for the course. Ask lot of questions to the captains I flew with.
I always try to think as a captain, what should a captain in this kind of situation. I always ask the captain if i can help with the techlog, if I can try to propose ideas first.
And I have read the command upgrade document on docunet.
CPT skills
First of all a captain has to be a good leader.
Open communication with all the crew and open minded. He has the knowledge, is assertive and shows the good example.
Command upgrade course
4 days of Ground school (responsabilities of the commander, operational flight training management, bird strike)
Tech, SOP and performance exam.
5 days in the sim with day 4 as a check.
LT with 48 sectors.
Tell me a time you had to advocate yourself.
Yes I had to do it with a captain always touching the FMC or MCP while I was PF.
I just told him that if he thinks something is wrong I prefer he tells me and I correct, or if he wants for exemple to change the speeds, he aks me first if im ok with it.
What is your management style?
I am open minded and open to communication. Communcation is the key for a safe flight.
We need to have a good atmosphere in the flight deck and in the cabin.
Good communication means also that I won’t hesitate to tell if something is wrong.
Biggest challenge facing you as a captain?
The lack of experience at the beginning and how to manage some situations you never faced before.
Why do you want to be a captain?
Because I want to learn more things and expand my career. I want to see another aspect of our work.
In my previous experience I was manager.
This is something I miss today.
Explain just culture
We all make mistakes. Just culture is here to not blame people who make mistakes taking into consideration their training and experience.
However gross negligence, willfull violation, and destructive act are not tolerated.
Do you think you can manage stressfull situation?
Yes, we are trained for that. It is important in stressfull situation to seatback and breath.
In stressfull situation it is important to use all the automation, and knowledge.
The best is to try to anticipate what can happen?
Commander responsabilities?
- Responsible for safety of all crew members, passengers, and cargo
- Responsible for safety of operation and safety of the aircraft.
- Have authority to disembark any passenger or cargo that represent a threat to safety
- Do not allow anyone under influence of alcool or drugs.
- Ensure all procedure and checklist are followed.
Decide on the acceptance of the aircraft.
How did this year in Ryanair improved you?
Ryanair is one the best operator in the world and on of the best trainer in the world.
We are trained to face all kind of situation, and all of our SOP doesn’t give any chance to the doubt.
How can you handle critique?
When someone has to critique, you have to listen and understand why. We are not perfect and we always learn to get better.
If your FO is not following SOP, how would you communicate and solve it?
First I will stick to the SOP. It will show to the FO that he will have to do it.
Then I will just say the thing. The easiest at the beginning will be to say I’m a new captain and i will be more confident if we follow the SOP and the good structure of the job.
