The ground school was good but it is mostly self study via a laptop and confirmatory lessons with an instructor. They usually spend very little time confirming and we must be “on the ball” because we have to know our stuff by heart. The check list is very long and the first start with checks takes about an hour. There are so many things to check it's not even funny. There is a flow however, and I have a feeling that after a few flights, it becomes easy.
The HPMA (Human Performance in Military Aviation) is all new to me. It's essentially the crew concept and that in itself is not new to me because we used it in the Griffon helicopter all the time but this HPMA version is all about saying specific words or commands at a specific time. You can't use a different word that means the same thing. It has to be the same word for everyone so when you change pilot or co-pilot there is no confusion about the calls in the aircraft.
It will take some getting use to but I'll get it. I just need to get the first flight done so I can get a feel for this airplane. After that, it's all about the feel.
CUL8R
Chuck
