COMMAND COURSE

Objective

The Command Course is intended to prepare suitably experienced First Officers for the responsibilities of operating as a Commander.

Becoming a Captain involves considerably more than moving to the other seat. The course develops the operational, decision-making, leadership and CRM skills needed to make that transition successfully.

More importantly, it gives both the candidate and the operator an opportunity to assess and develop the skills required before progressing to command line training and checking.

2 Prerequisites

There is no reason for command development to start only when a command vacancy becomes available.

First Officers who have reached a suitable level of skill and experience can benefit from command training before an immediate upgrade is planned. Apart from preparing them for future command, the course develops decision-making, leadership and operational awareness that they can bring back to their current role.

The operator should establish its own criteria for the selection of suitable candidates.

3 Course Footprint

This is a three-day course. Ideally there are two candidates. As the course is not type-specific, candidates can be from different fleets.

Day 1 – Classroom

Command responsibility training, including:

• Responsibilities of the Commander
• Applicable regulations and company procedures
• Operational decision-making
• Flight planning and weather
• MEL/CDL decision-making
• Fuel planning and management
• Technical log/voyage report requirements
• Managing operational and non-technical issues
• Leadership and Command CRM
• Company-specific training as requested

Day 2 – FNPT II

LOFT exercise concentrating on the practical application of command skills and pilot competencies.

Scenarios are designed to develop decision-making, workload management, leadership, communication and the management of operational threats.

Day 3 – FNPT II

Further LOFT exercises with increasing emphasis on command decision-making and the management of more complex operational situations.

The candidate is given the opportunity to demonstrate and develop their command skills in a realistic environment before progressing to the operator’s subsequent command training and checking.

4 Subsequent Training and Checking

Completion of the course is one stage of the command process and does not itself qualify or appoint the candidate as a Commander.

Following the course, the candidate should complete the applicable aircraft, operator, line training and checking requirements before being appointed as Commander.

The precise programme should be determined by the operator according to the applicable regulatory requirements and its approved training programme.

5 Operator Support

The operator’s Command Course and upgrade process should be detailed in its Operations Manual, including the process and criteria used for selecting suitable candidates.

Lupus Air Services can provide the necessary supporting text either off-the-shelf or tailored to your requirements. We can also assist with candidate screening and development before command training begins.

For further information, or to book a course, please contact us via email or through the website.