Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler - Additional Ratings versus Qualifications?

Delta Virtual Airlines Water Cooler | Airline Operations | Additional Ratings versus Qualifications?

DVA7504
Captain, B757-200

Joined on July 04 2009

Naperville, IL USA

32 legs, 88.7 hours
1 legs, 1.7 hours online
30 legs, 85.3 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on December 07 2009 10:40 ET by Robert Clements

Could someone help me understand the difference between having an "additional rating" versus being qualified to file flight reports using a specific aircraft?

The pilot center correctly tells me a first officer in the B757-200 program, and that I'm qualified to file flight reports using the following aircraft:
A310, A318, A319, A320, A321, ATR-72, B1900, B737-200, B737-300, B737-400, B737-500, B737-700, B737-800, B737-900, B757-200, B757-300, DHC-8, DO-328, EMB-120, ERJ-170, ERJ-190, L-100, S340.

Further down the page in the pilot center, it says that I'm "eligible to transfer to or request additional ratings in the following equipment types: B737-800." And that I'm "eligible to transfer to or request additional ratings in the following equipment types upon successful completion of the First Officer's examination for these equipment programs: CRJ-200, EMB-120, A320, MD-88, B727-200, B767-300, DC-6."

I'm confused. Can someone shed some light on this for me?

Robert Clements (DVA7504)

DVA7636
Senior Captain, L-1011-100
OLP

Joined on August 11 2009
50 State Club
Events Double Century Club
Burbank 250 Club
Quincentenary Club
Online Quintuple Century Club
Globetrotter
Black Pearl Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary

"Uses "Sparkly Eyes" Technique on ATC"
Channelview, TX USA

588 legs, 1,196.5 hours
572 legs, 1,164.8 hours online
586 legs, 1,192.9 hours ACARS
287 legs, 572.1 hours event

Posted onPost created on December 07 2009 10:59 ET by Tracy Norris

Robert,

You didn't indicate whether you read the DVA Promotion Guide at http://www.deltava.org/doclibrary.do

In a nutshell, once you've complete the first officer's examination in a new type (as you did on the 757), then you can "legally" file reports in that aircraft type using ACARS. Otherwise you would be restricted to training flights or checkrides on a type you were not otherwise rated in.

Once you complete the First Officer's examination, then the type ratings are added and the flight legs and hours made in that type can be added to your log book.

However, in order to advance to Captain in that type, you MUST join that type's program and complete a checkride. Once that is complete, then, and only then, will those flights in the new type count towards the 10 necessary to obtain a Captains rank.

Hope this clears things up a bit. The DVA Promotion Guide goes into much greater detail.

Fly Safe!

Tracy Norris

Senior Captain, L-1011-100

DVA7504
Captain, B757-200

Joined on July 04 2009

Naperville, IL USA

32 legs, 88.7 hours
1 legs, 1.7 hours online
30 legs, 85.3 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on December 07 2009 15:39 ET by Robert Clements

Tracy, you're right. I didn't mention it but I did read the manual. I also get the promotion concept (although your explanation is simple and clear....thanks!).

My question is around the difference between "additional rating types" and being able to file flight reports. Currently, the pilot center says that I'm in the B757-200 program (which is correct...I passed the written exam and checkride). I moved to the 757 program from the 737 program. When I made that move I expected that I would keep my 737 rating. However, that didn't happen. The Pilot Center says that I'm "eligible" to request a 737 rating. Furthermore, I don't understand why my ratings don't synch with what aircraft I'm qualified to file a flight report for. In principal, if I'm part of the B757-200 program. I understand that I'm qualified to fly the B757-300, for example. However, if I don't carry any additional ratings why does the Pilot Center say that I'm eligible to file reports for the A310, A32X series, 737 series, Dash-8, Dornier 328, Embraer 120, E-Jets, L100 and Saab 340? Could this disconnect -- different rating types versus "qualified to file flight reports" -- be associated with the recent changes to the NOTAM regarding Additional Ratings Procedures?

Bob

Robert Clements (DVA7504)

DVA3931
Senior Captain, L-1011-100
OLP, COMM

Joined on January 19 2007
50 State Club
Tri-Jet Triumph
Million Mile Club
Online Quadruple Century Club
Flying Colonel
Globetrotter
Burbank 500 Club
Eurocap Club
DVA Fifteen-Year Anniversary

"De oppresso liber"
Surry, ME

1,882 legs, 3,806.7 hours
478 legs, 767.8 hours online
1,107 legs, 1,674.5 hours ACARS
55 legs, 114.8 hours event
195 legs dispatched, 134.4 hours

Posted onPost created on December 07 2009 15:42 ET by Andrew Kaufmann

You can still log flights in the 737. If you look at your additional ratings, you will see:

A310, A318, A319, A320, A321, ATR-72, B1900, B737-200, B737-300, B737-400, B737-500, B737-700, B737-800, B737-900, B757-200, B757-300, DHC-8, DO-328, EMB-120, ERJ-170, ERJ-190, L-100, S340

You can file flights in any of them

Andrew Kaufmann (DVA3931)

DVA043
Senior Captain, MD-11
OLP

Joined on June 10 2001
Event Half Century Club
Online Double Century Club
50 State Club
DVA Twenty-Year Anniversary
Everett 1500 Club
Bi-Millennium Club
Four Million Mile Club

"Col. Panic"
Marietta, GA

2,325 legs, 9,360.9 hours
240 legs, 553.9 hours online
1,983 legs, 8,154.0 hours ACARS
75 legs, 196.3 hours event
2,361 legs, 9,495.8 hours total
91 legs dispatched, 66.4 hours

Posted onPost created on December 07 2009 15:55 ET by Luke Kolin

The first list is the aircraft you can legally file PIREPs for. The second is the list of programs you can switch to, or ratings you can achieve.

As an FYI, you cannot start logging flights in an aircraft once you pass the F/O exam. The F/O exam merely makes you eligible to sit for the check ride, and once that is completed and you get the rating, then you can start logging flights.

Cheers!

Luke Kolin

Senior Captain, MD-11

DVA2025
Senior Captain, MD-11

Joined on November 27 2004
50 State Club
Quatercentenary Club

USA

453 legs, 1,458.2 hours
44 legs, 128.1 hours online
407 legs, 1,364.8 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on December 07 2009 16:02 ET by Noah Bryant

Let's make it easy.

The program you're in is just that. A program you're in. It's pretty much meaningless, except that you cant select any program at any time, you kind of have to work your way up.

The list of ratings is the important thing. You can file pireps in any of those planes whenever you want.

The only real thing you do in a program is move up to captain (so simple it's kind of pointless) and Senior Captian.

DVA2564
Captain, MD-88

Joined on September 09 2005
Triple Century Club
Online Triple Century Club

Knoxville, TN USA

386 legs, 832.1 hours
361 legs, 767.2 hours online
379 legs, 801.0 hours ACARS
4 legs, 8.1 hours event
0 legs dispatched, 13.6 hours

Posted onPost created on January 09 2010 04:23 ET by Terry Kocher

Reading this thread has brought up a few unanswered questions of my own. Well mainly just one, and after 5 years - I have read the promotions manuals. nuts

How would I go about getting a rating in the MD-11 or B747 yet remain in the MD-88 stage 2 program? I have both PMDG models, and would like to be able to use them for DVA.

Terry Kocher (DVA2564)

DVA4031
Captain, B757-200

Joined on January 20 2007
50 State Club
B757 100 Club
Everett 500 Club
DVA Ten-Year Anniversary
Million Mile Club
Millennium Club

Port Orchard, WA

1,186 legs, 3,343.2 hours
1,177 legs, 3,327.8 hours ACARS

Posted onPost created on January 09 2010 13:50 ET by Quinlan Cao

Simple enough, Terry. Take the FO exam for the MD-11 or 747, and complete the check ride. When requesting the ratings, click on "Request Additional Ratings", not "Switch Equipment Programs".

Quinlan Cao (DVA4031)

Posted onPost created on January 09 2010 20:16 ET by Terry Kocher

Thank you Quinlan.

Terry Kocher (DVA2564)

Posted onPost created on January 09 2010 20:48 ET by Luke Kolin

Terry, what may complicate things is that I'm not sure if you're eligible to be a Captain in a Stage 3 program. You might need to switch into the 763, qualify as a Captain and then take the steps towards getting a Stage 4 rating. Once you have the rating you can return to the MD-88 program if you like.

Cheers!

Luke Kolin

Senior Captain, MD-11

Posted onPost created on January 10 2010 06:19 ET by Terry Kocher

Luke, thank you for the insight.

If I do transfer into the 767-300 program and work my way up from there, when I return to the MD-88 program will I be required to fly a checkride again? Will my captain status in the program be retained, or will I have to start over as FO?

If you ask me, this process could be improved upon. However I did spend a a GOOD bit of money on these two aircraft. So I will do what is required to log flights with them. Although I think that the hole in my wallet should make me eligible for atleast a check ride without the strings being attached.

However redundant it may feel, I'll do whats necessary to get my worths out of these products.

Thanks again Luke!

Terry Kocher (DVA2564)

DVA3665
Senior Captain, B777-200
OLP

Joined on October 27 2006
Online Triple Century Club
DVA Five-Year Anniversary
50 State Club
Everett 250 Club
Quatercentenary Club

Plantation, FL

415 legs, 1,407.3 hours
389 legs, 1,330.8 hours online
414 legs, 1,406.3 hours ACARS
5 legs, 20.8 hours event
5 legs dispatched, 10.8 hours

Posted onPost created on January 10 2010 13:01 ET by Benton Wilmes

Terry, I know you won't have to do another MD80 check ride and when you transfer back in, you will return as whatever you left as. You are a captain now so you'll re-enter the program as a Captain.

Benton Wilmes

Senior Captain, B777-200

Posted onPost created on January 10 2010 15:42 ET by Terry Kocher

Cool. Thanks for the information. :-)

Terry Kocher (DVA2564)

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