Spirit Airlines Training - Airline Pilot Central Forums (2025)

Brian3613

Joined APC: Nov 2006

Position: Instructor

Posts: 74

Halon1211

Joined APC: Oct 2017

Posts: 3,192

They expect you to show up day 1 already knowing your flows and most systems stuff (they give you the material in advance). The instructors are great but just have to show up knowing most of it.

bruhaha

Joined APC: Jun 2006

Posts: 489

lol....

it’s not set up to spoon feed you... they expect you to take initiative and learn the material yourself and ask questions if you need to clarify something.

if you didn’t know it going into training, you’re still not going to know it after you complete training.

but you will know your flows, memory items and limitations if you successfully complete training and nothing else.

that goes for new hire training and upgrade training.

MGuy

Joined APC: Nov 2020

Posts: 96

Sheg0theD

Joined APC: Sep 2017

Posts: 412

I wouldn’t say the training isn’t good. If you are a loner and don’t participate in group studies, you will struggle. The company doesn’t baby you, but if you put the effort in, they will reciprocate if you need a little extra help.

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Meep

Joined APC: Feb 2020

Posts: 498

Never heard anyone say the training isn’t good. It’s fast paced and like others have said you must study before day 1 as they don’t spoon feed you like the regionals.

spirited

Joined APC: Feb 2020

Posts: 419

Spirit training is fast paced and relentless. You need to show up knowing flows (CA & FO), the main profiles and callouts, and all the memorization - COLD. Like sit in front of a paper tiger and do flows with your eyes closed. Bang out limitations & memory items before the question is finished - not be searching for them in your mind.

If you are this prepared, then training will be chill and in the evening you can sit by the pool, drink beer, and relax and breeze through it. I did, and it was only my 2nd type - and I breezed through with no stress. Those who show up expecting to learn during training don't make it.

You only get 5 sims before your type ride - from both seats. My regional was up to 13 sims and still had a 20% washout. at NK, not so much. There is not much time off between things.

All that said, the training is top notch. The Sim & FTD instructors are fellow pilots, and are top notch. No one is out to "get you". They want you to succeed - if YOU ARE PREPARED.

week

Joined APC: May 2017

Posts: 516

Hands down best training I’ve had in any flight department. Plenty of events to feel ready for the checkride and if for some reason you are struggling, they work with you to get you comfortable and add events if needed. Our class only had 1 guy struggle (older guy) and they gave him a LOT of chances to catch up.

super organized, clear goals and expectations, and they don’t hand you the books and expect you to know everything when you show up. Most instructors are reasonable and not terribly old.

I’ve heard it’s been bad here in the past, but it’s great now. Pass rate in 2019 was above 92 or 94% IIRC

if you show up day 1 knowing only the flows and limitations, the entire process will be easy

wrxpilot

Joined APC: Sep 2008

Position: B767

Posts: 1,901

Not a Spirit pilot, but I have done lots of airline training ranging from old school “build the airplane” weed out regional days, to gentle hand holding major airline training.

The whole “group study” being required for success is a myth. Some people need to be spoon fed by their peers, but it sure isn’t necessary if you have good study habits and you practice flows with your sim partner. Personally, I find group study a tremendous waste of time and don’t ever do it (group beers/dinners are another matter!)

Just to emphasize though, practicing flows/call outs/checklists with your sim partner is incredibly important.

Sheg0theD

Joined APC: Sep 2017

Posts: 412

I wouldn’t call it a myth. The two guys who washed out of our class were loners. I agree some can be alone and study and be prepared. I would venture to say most benefit from a “group” study session. Group can be defined as 3/4/5/10 people whatever works for you.

Seems most classes had study groups.

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Last edited by Sheg0theD; 02-26-2021 at 04:57 AM.