STUDY GUIDE!
A Delta instructor told a captain to, “Stop asking questions if you want to pass through training. Be the monkey. Push the button. Get the banana.” A simulator instructor sits in the back and texts, ignoring the captain during his additional, required, training because he could not pass recurrent his first year on the aircraft. Delta gives a handout with what to memorize for the push the button multiple choice test. These things I know to be true. And if a legacy carrier like Delta can train in this manner, what’s going on at other airlines and around the world?
With deep concern, I dug through my training posts, consulted with multiple check airman, and created an operational study guide to help with better understanding of the systems and operations.
With new pilots stepping onto this plane without experience, combined with substandard training that ignores importance of understanding, and only teaches pilots what buttons to push, I felt compelled to write this guide. A must read, that encourages pilots to manually fly their plane so when they lose the automation they will know what to do. When Delta flew into a thunderstorm the A330 saved the pilots and the passengers with built protections. You will find this event and more in this guide. Learning from other events could save your life. I may not have the ability to improve training at the airline level as I did prior to Delta, but if one thing in this book could save a pilot and his passengers, then the agonizing editing process was worth the effort.
What the experts say about this study guide:
“The A330 Guide is a clear and pleasant read that focuses on system knowledge A330 pilots really need. It’s ideal as a refresher and a practical complement to the official manuals, reinforcing key concepts while adding helpful insight where it counts. It’s straightforward, focused and easy to digest, a trusted companion for A330 pilots looking to keep their knowledge current and sharp.”
Richard Verburg, Senior Captain & Instructor A330
The aircraft manuals give you the facts to learn, but don’t provide the perspective and insight you need to operate the aircraft beyond the memorized procedures. The flight controls ask for something fundamentally different than a conventionally controlled airplane despite being similar enough that you can forget how the work – but that vey very difference can make all the difference in the world when things go wrong.
Whether it’s managing flight phases or the back corners of Alternate Law. This book will help to close that circle, make those connections, and clarify areas of misunderstanding and why they matter.”
Senior A330 Instructor Retired Captain Bill Palmer, Author of Understanding AF447
“The Airbus A330 is one of the most complex transport aircraft in commercial service. Its suite of manuals with which the pilot must have working knowledge comprises thousands of pages. Its mastery is an essential, and yet daunting task. How does the pilot assimilate a functional understanding of how the A330 actually works and “thinks”, keeping the most key concepts top of mind? This book can help.
Drawing on her skills, knowledge and experience, as well as that of other seasoned A330 pilots and existing A330 safety data, Karlene Petitt has crafted a unique study guide that will assist pilots in truly understanding their aircraft and avoiding the pitfalls of “rote-only” knowledge.”
Retired A330 Check Airman Captain Corbin Walters
“When I was first signed off to fly the Airbus A330 I thought, ‘You’re kidding! I don’t know what I’m doing!’ This is a guide I wish I had at that time. A necessary read.”
Retired A330 Check Airman
Paper within 72 hours
