Welcome to Norwegian

Finally another update! I'm sorry for the long delay of this post – I've been really busy all the time, and since I moved from Ljungbyhed on March 20 until a week ago I've not had an actual home but stayed at hotels or slept on the couch in my parents' house. We've done so much, and it's so fun!

In the middle of March we finished the technical course on the Boeing 737 with a test which we all passed without problem. The technical course was mainly done with a computer based training software online (CBT). It's pretty pedagogical using tons of illustrations and animations while explaining all details both aurally and in text. I'd say the material would take at least 20 hours of effective time to just scroll through, but in practice I had to repeat a number of parts simply because of failing concentration. This was supplemented with question sessions with one of the school instructors and completion of numerous mock examinations.

Immediately upon completing the technical test we all moved from Ljungbyhed within a few days – many of us including me on the very same day. In addition to studying for the technical test and preparing the move during the last week in Ljungbyhed we also were to write a report about a human factors related aviation incident to be presented in class upon arrival in Oslo a few days later. Finally there were lots of paperwork to be done before the reason we were going to Oslo – a 2½ week company course at the Norwegian airline headquarters.

We would not directly be less busy after arrival in Oslo – the company course was heavier than I had anticipated and during the 16 days there we completed two more CBTs (computer based training software), a couple of exams on company specific procedures and almost every weekday was a full day of classes starting 08:00 in the morning which meant getting up before 07:00. Mostly theoretical classes about Norwegian and the Boeing 737 but also some practical stuff such as trying out some emergency equipment. Most significantly, we tested opening emergency exits, jumped the emergency slides and did a throughout inspection of the Boeing 737 fuselage including opening all kinds of hatches and covers.

All in all, the 16 days company course was instructive, very interesting and really fun. During the two weekends, except for studying procedures, we enjoyed visiting some famous places in Oslo. For accommodation we rented two large apartments with four rooms for six students each. After close to two years in Ljungbyhed with like-minded companions and close friends all around us it was like a short extension of having that atmosphere.

After the company course we were finally to begin the simulator training which has occupied our time for the last two weeks. The school has paired us for these 24 lessons, which are 4 hours each. Adding the 4 hour skill test for obtaining the certificate, we'll spend 100 hours in the simulators. In the future for as long as we work as commercial pilots we'll also get at least the legal minimum of a four hour proficiency check every six months. The main objective in all simulator training is to practice abnormal situations, which means that we during almost every session in the simulator get numerous problems such as engine failures, broken navigation systems, rapidly leaking cabin pressure and of course all kinds of fires. We are also made sometimes to suddenly pretend we lose consciousness, so that the other pilot will have to control the airplane all by himself.

This far me and my partner Rickard have completed 8 simulator lessons, that is 1/3 of the total. It's really fun and the simulators are extremely realistic as they move around according to acceleration, turns, turbulence, disintegrating engines etc. During the 8th lesson  we finally simulated a complete flight with everything from preparations to shutting down the aircraft, on a short route from Oslo to Trondheim and then back again (switching positions). Having managed practically all parts of the flight without instructor intervention, we could gather some self-confidence that we really will do fine just two months from now when flying the real thing, having the responsibility for the safe transport of up to around 200 people (including crew).

Photos:

 Bye bye Ljungbyhed and the wonderful atmosphere at dormitory Ljunghusen, I already miss you!

 There are quite a lot of emergency equipment onboard a Boeing 737 to learn about. There's even an AED (automated external defibrillator) in case someone gets a heart attack. It's not a legal requirement to have one, but just on Norwegian flights close to 20 lives have been saved where the AED was used.

 The simulator training facility not only has cockpit simulators for pilots, there's also cabin simulators for cabin crew who train evacuation procedures and such. We also had to practice opening doors and jumping the slide.

There's also the possibility to practice fire and smoke handling in a cabin simulator, which we also had to do.

The view from Aker brygge in downtown Oslo is not bad at all.

 One of the highlights of the company course was of course to visit the airport hangar and see and feel all parts of the aircraft for real. The dark picture is from inside the wheel well (where the landing gear is stowed – quite spacey!).

 

This is where me and my simulator partner will spend 100 hours together during the two month period ending in the middle of June. A lot to learn, and a lot of fun to have!