Many transitioning Mustang pilots have complained that the Cessna Citation Mustang Type Rating training was the hardest type rating they have ever experienced.

 

There are several potential causes:

• Training material is not provided in advance, so the unwary student has an enormous Operating Manual to memorize upon arrival. In contrast, both Embraer and Eclipse offer home study in advance.
• The G1000, and glass cockpits in general, are unfamiliar to many transitioning pilots.
• Simulator sessions start immediately on Day Two. Most Flight Safety courses have a period of ground school followed by a period of simulator work rather than mixing the two.
• To reduce the risk of owner-pilot accidents, scrutiny on performance is heavy.

 

There are several ways to avoid the stress and enjoy the Flight Safety Training.

 

One strategy is to take the Type Rating in the actual aircraft, and then use the Flight Safety course as a review, with lower stress since the Type Rating is already accomplished and out of the way. This strategy also solves the FAA requirement for 25 hours of Supervised Operator Experience (SOE) when your first PIC Type Rating is in a simulator rather than a real plane. As downside, it is significantly more expensive to train in the real plane with an instructor, and then hiring a Mustang Designated Examiner.  There is also a slight risk when doing certain required steps, such as V1 cuts, in the real plane vs. a simulator.

 

Irrespective of taking the initial Type Rating in the plane, a Mustang Pilot will likely eventually need to take the Flight Safety course for insurance purposes.

 

So here's a checklist of what can be done in the months prior to maximize the time and usefulness at Flight Safety.

 

Step 1 - Jet Transition Reading

 

Flight Safety's mission is to teach experienced pilots how to fly a specific type of plane. It isn't to teach owner / operators how to fly jets - it's to teach jet pilots how to fly a Mustang. If this is your first jet type rating, you will find numerous areas not covered whatsoever in the Flight Safety training. In this case, it's highly recommended to hire a mentor pilot who can fill in many of the practical operational areas.

 

There are some excellent books and courses available to the new jet pilot.

 

Books:

• Turbine Pilot's Flight Manual
• Jeppesen Gas Turbine Engines for Pilots and Mechanics (also available here and elsewhere)
• Fly The Wing, geared more to airline crews though provides excellent background on the differences of flying jets in terms of aerodynamics, systems, practical operations and pilot expectations.

 

Articles:

• Understanding Takeoff Speeds

 

 

Step 2 - Online Courses

 

It is essential to have some background material ahead of time. Learning RVSM, RADAR, and High Altitude are the minimum. G1000 might be useful but see Step 3, below for that.

 

• King Schools offers an online Jet Transition Class. There is also a more comprehensive Part 91 or Part 135 Jet Complete class. Beware that each of these online courses timeout after 3 months from the time it is finished. Print the material if notes for later are desired.
• Flight Safety also offers numerous eLearning courses. The Flight Safety Online courses typically timeout after one year.

 

Step 3 - Mustang Systems

 

It is essential to beg, borrow, or steal a copy of the Flight Safety "Complete Mustang Manual.pdf" or the Cessna equivalent Operating Manual (although without review questions) "510OM.pdf". Learn all the systems ahead of time. These books are highly readable. You can get a little bored in Flight Safety class, but the likelihood of retaining the information is much better if you studied it beforehand then saw it cold in a large PowerPoint deck.

 

Step 4 - PC Simulator / G1000

 

Learning the G1000 is a huge part of understanding the Mustang gestalt. Fortunately, Garmin has created a very useful and readable Pilot's Guide, available free for download (ensure that you get the correct Mustang version). It need not be read cover to cover, but at least skimmed and available for reference.

 

PC simulators are a tremendous aid to training, as the look and buttons are precisely like the real thing (but don't cost $1200 / hr to operate like a Level D full motion sim).

 

• Using Microsoft Flight Simulator X, in combination with Flight 1's Mustang add-on (built with Cessna's assistance), can give a pretty reasonable idea of where things are in the cockpit and how to follow flows for the profiles.
• Garmin has the G1000 PC Trainer, which is more precise and complete than the G1000 in the Flight 1 add-on, but it is only the G1000, not the entire cockpit.

 

Using these inexpensive PC Simulators can save a tremendous amount of time and effort later on. While it is always possible to rent a local G1000 piston plane, like a 172 or Cirrus Perspective for training and repetition purposes, it's better quality of time to use the simulators.

 

Ideally, the PC sim time is done in a structured environment with a CFII who has prepared a lesson plan. Just playing will not be as useful as shooting three approaches with supervision and instruction. Using a PC sim on the ground, it is possible to reset the scenario to replay an approach every few minutes, which is impossible in a rental piston G1000.

 

Step 5 - Memory Items

 

There's no way around it - some parts require rote memorization. This includes:

• Memory Items
• Limitations
• Profiles

 

All three are available in written and audio format at NJS Flight.

 

The more preparation done ahead of time, the easier the Flight Safety course.

 

Before You Go

 

Besides the obvious items like passport and other documentation, one final tip: dress warm! The simulator's air conditioner can be set in the low 60s. So wear layers when transitioning from warm outdoor weather, such as Orlando, to the sometimes cold simulator cockpit.

 

Orlando vs. Wichita

 

 

Advantages of Orlando:

• Many more choices of places to stay, eat. Avoiding bringing the family as most nights will be spent studying or recovering in any case.
• Better weather
• Citation Service Center is a two minute walk away across the parking lot. A plane in service can easily be checked on during a break in training.
• Sim supports synthetic vision.

 

Advantages of Wichita:

• One JAA sim for practicing European operations, or getting an endorsement to fly into London City.
• Two C510 sims for redundancy.
• Close to Cessna HQ in case other business needs to be addressed (though not Independence where the Mustangs are built).
• Generally, more choice of instructors.

 

Continuing Training After Flight Safety

Consider taking the Pratt & Whitney Canada online PW615F course.