Transition training should be formal and rigorous, even if you’re not flying an airliner.

By Chip Wright

As one of the few airlines that are hiring and adding airplanes, my airline is going through a tremendous amount of training right now. We have recently added to our fleet a 70-seat version of the 50-seat jet we have flown for almost 10 years.

When it comes to jet aircraft, each pilot has to obtain specific training before legally operating the airplane. For the captain, that training consists of a type rating that is specific to that type of airplane. For example, a Lear jet type rating does not qualify a pilot to fly a Citation, even though both airplanes are turbojets and have some similarities. …