College of Aviation

College of Aviation
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5461 USA
(269) 964-6375

Jet Equivalency Training (JET) at Western Michigan University

Posted by Scott Warner on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 @ 10:24 AM

WMU is committed to providing its students with an education that is second to none and will prepare them for a successful career in aviation.  One of its most effective courses for ensuring a successful transition is the Jet Equivalency Training (JET) course. The following attest to the course’s success in readying WMU flight students for the rigors of training at a regional airline.

 

 “To this day, I feel that the JET course was an excellent opportunity to get some experience in a multi-crew environment and prepared me well for the airlines.  Having covered the systems in computer based training I was a step ahead of the game when it came to CRJ ground school (more of an in-depth review than brand new information).  While it's been almost 2 years since I went through the course, I still pull on some of the knowledge you gave me and I hope others can have the same experience.  I'd be more than happy to recommend anyone to SkyWest that's been through the JET course.  They love the JET course and are pleased with the results!”  Michael Grime, Skywest FO and JET course alumni

 

 “Well, I survived my first year on the line and still loving it.  I have to say, it's a lot of fun.  I have flown a lot of approaching down to mins, landed on snow covered runways in snowstorms, and getting good at 30+ knot crosswind landings!  It's been a brutal winter!!  No doubt that this is much easier after going through the JET course.” Tony Yaskoweak, American Eagle FO and JET course alumni

 

 “I… became a First Officer in the Embraer 135/140/145 for American Eagle based out of Chicago.  During the interview in December, Eagle was glad to hear I had the JET course and said "the JET course at WMU has proved successful with all of the WMU students and instructors we pick up."  I had 740 hours and 56 multi, but they didn't care, they just want the WMU guys with the JET course.  I believe there are now 8 or 9 WMU people at eagle that have done the JET course in the past few months.  Eagle can't get enough of WMU people.  Continue on with your hard work and airlines will continue to pick up JET graduates.”  Chris Murray, American Eagle FO and JET course alumni

 

What specifically is the JET course?  The JET course is a 6 credit elective (AVS 4300) that readies students for new hire training with a regional airline.  The course consists of the following three phases:

  • Computer Based Training (CBT) – 2 weeks of self-study prior to starting classes.  Instruction consists of 25 modules of web based CRJ-200 systems training. 
  • Academics – 5 days of instruction in the classroom.  Topics include CRJ-200 flight crew normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures, and a review of aircraft systems.
  • Simulation – 10 days of flight instruction in a CRJ-200 flight training device (FTD).  Each day consists of a 1½ hour pre brief, 4 hours of FTD instruction, and a 1 hour post brief.  The time in the FTD is equally divided between pilot flying and pilot not flying duties.  Scenarios begin with basic handling and are performed in a two-crew environment.  As proficiency grows, students learn to contend with abnormal and emergency situations.  After students experience operations in a variety of conditions, they explore flight crew use of automation and realistic airline operations.  The phase culminates with an airline style checkride.

 

To simulate the “fire hose” nature of regional airline training, the JET course is usually conducted Monday through Friday until all lessons are complete.  Therefore, the course can be completed in as little as 3 weeks.  Due to student schedules and academic commitments, the course can be scheduled on a less hectic basis, but still should be conducted for at least three days a week to maintain its intensity.

 

WMU has offered airline oriented instruction since 2000 and has worked with numerous airlines to get the instruction within the JET course just right.  The list of airlines that have worked with WMU in the past includes:

  • Air Wisconsin Airlines.
  • American Eagle Airlines.
  • Atlantic Southeast Airlines.
  • British Airways.
  • Comair Airlines.
  • Delta Air Lines.
  • Emirates Airlines.
  • ExpressJet Airlines.
  • Messaba Airlines.
  • Pinnacle Airlines.

 

Who can take the JET course?  WMU flight program students who meet the following prerequisites can take the JETcourse:

  • AVS 3560: Professional Flight IV Lab.
  • AVS 4110: Airline Flight Operations.
  • AVS 4120: Line Oriented Flight Crew Simulation.

The following are also required:

  • Commercial Pilot license with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings.
  • A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) license is not necessarily required.

 

Why should students take the JET course?  The best reason is because it works.  In the past, six regional airlines agreed to lower their job interview flight hour requirements for JET course graduates.  The upcoming enactment of aviation legislation will mandate specific flight hour minimums for first officers which will nullify these agreements.  However, the regionals still express their support for the course.  For example, ExpressJet Airline, the world's largest regional airline, worked with WMU to establish a Pilot Pathway Program.  If students pass a rigorous screening process and get accepted into this program, they will be guaranteed jobs as first officers with ExpressJet and, later on, interviews with Delta Air Lines. Part of the screening process for the program is the JET course.

 

Who teaches the JET course?  The primary instructor for the JET course is Dennis McFall.  He has over 34 years of aviation experience which includes working in a training center transitioning ab initio flight students to jet transport aircraft.  Dennis has been with WMU since 2000 and was instrumental in establishing the university’s airline transition training.

 

         

DENNIS MCFALL

(269) 964-5680

dennis.mcfall@wmich.edu

 

Where can one find more information about the JET course?  For more information, one can contact Dennis McFall.  He would be happy to provide in-depth information and answer any questions.  Information can also be obtained at:

http://www.wmich.edu/aviation/jet.html