Jet Transition Program (Boeing 737-800)
The Jet Transition Program introduces students to the multi-crew environment in which procedures, profiles, and decisions are shared by a crew. With this in mind, every step of the program is designed to emulate an actual airline ground school. The ground school is taught by Frank Mercy...a retired American Airlines Captain and retired military pilot. The stories and experiences he shares are worth the program alone. Along side Frank is Al LaVoy, a retired United Airlines Captain and retired military pilot, who introduces our students to the details and training involved in Crew Resource Management. Al takes the ground school to a new level of understanding of the decision making process (and possible breakdowns).
This program also introduces students to advanced aircraft concepts, systems, navigation, and performance to help them in their future interviews and airline training. This involves all aspects of the Boeing 737NG and flying an aircraft with various levels of automation and a glass cockpit.
The program is designed to help each student prepare for a professional pilot career. Frank and Al outline what a professional career in aviation is about. Their combined experiences are a valuable resource. To compliment them are our SIM instructors who apply the concepts learned in the ground schools. The cost for this course is only $5,500 (the course is discounted to only $3,000 for students enrolled in our Airline Pilot Direct Program).
Program Schedule
| Days 1 through 10: | Ground School, CRM, and Ground School Final Test |
| Days 11 and 12: | Cockpit Procedures Training and First Officer Oral Progress Check |
| Days 13 through 17: | SIM Training Sessions |
| Day 18: | First Officer Flight Progress Check |
| Days 19 and 20: | LOFT (Line Oriented Flight Training) |
Biographies
Frank Mercy is a former pilot for the United States Air Force. During his military tenure, Frank served as a Flight Instructor in several military aircraft, including the F-4, T-38 and F-15 fighters. In more recent years, Frank has been employed at American Airlines, where he has served in numerous aircraft and flight deck roles, including Captain, Check Airman, and Flight Instructor positions. Frank has recently retired from flying the MD-80 commercially, but enjoys assisting aspiring aviators in the formation of their aviation career, while providing them his extensive knowledge, experience, and jovial sense of humor.
Alan LaVoy, affectionately tagged as "Uncle Al" by students at Westwind, is both a West Point graduate and decorated former military pilot for the United States Air Force. Most recently, Al has facilitated Crew Resource Management (CRM) programs at United Airlines, as well as other major carriers. While at United Airlines, Al has served in both Captain and First Officer positions for domestic and international flights, recently completing his service at United as a Captain on the B-737. Al brings to Westwind extensive amounts of experience, as well as an intimate, "inside look" at how the airlines operate.