Turbine Transition Training

By Kyle Garrett

Turbine transition training is specialized training for pilots moving up from piston powered aircraft to turbine powered aircraft, but who don't necessarily need a type rating. For example, a pilot who owns a piston twin may be moving up to a turbine twin that weighs less than 12,500 lbs. maximum gross takeoff weight. Turbine transition training will help the pilot get acquainted with his new aircraft and satisfy his insurance company's requirement for an initial checkout and to fly the airplane single pilot. Read more about jet transition training.

Turbine Transition Courses For Helicopters

Turbine transition training is common in the helicopter industry too, because after initial training, most operations are conducted in turbine powered helicopters. Aspiring commercial and private helicopter pilots alike will encounter turbine helicopters very quickly after earning their licenses. Whether you fly helicopters or airplanes, you can expect most of your turbine transition training to occur in the actual aircraft, not in a flight simulator as with type rating training.

Turbine Transition Courses at Flight Academies

Turbine transition training, also called jet transition training, is gaining popularity at flight schools and flight academies, and in fact, some larger academies are offering the turbine transition course at significantly reduced prices when purchased with packaged flight training programs. Although these programs are not type ratings, the course is similar, and flight academy graduates hope that with jet transition training on their resume, they'll be more competitive in the airline job market. Academy-based turbine transition training is usually in a Regional Jet flight simulator, and rarely involves much, if any, time in the actual aircraft.