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CurriculumBBJ MAX 9 › Aircraft Phase Syllabus
B-737 · Business Jet

Boeing Business Jet MAX 9 (BBJ MAX 9)
Aircraft Phase Syllabus

Exercise-by-exercise aircraft phase syllabus with TCE stage gates and performance thresholds for each session.

Ground School SyllabusFFS SyllabusAircraft Phase SyllabusCompletion StandardsProgram Policies
70 hrs
FFS hours
28 hrs
Aircraft hours
$535,000
Initial program
21 days
Duration
In this document
Why the Aircraft Phase ExistsSession Syllabus — 28 Hours TotalFlight Time LoggingWeather Minimums — Aircraft Phase
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Section 1
Why the Aircraft Phase Exists
Phase 01
eLearning
Pre-arrival
Phase 02
Ground School
On campus
Phase 03
CPT
Cockpit trainer
Phase 04
FFS
Level D sim
Phase 05
Aircraft
Actual flight
Phase 06
Practical Test
TCE checkride

A Level D simulator replicates aircraft behavior to within measurable tolerances and satisfies FAA qualification standards. It does not replicate: real atmospheric turbulence, actual ATC workload in live Class D airspace, the specific tactile control forces of the actual BBJ MAX 9, the visual environment of KFXE RWY 13/31 on final approach, or the experience of managing a real type-certificated aircraft with real consequences for errors.

The aircraft phase closes that gap. Every hour logged here is actual flight time in type — logged under 14 CFR 61.51, signed by the Apex TCE, counted toward ATP minimums, employer turbine time requirements, and insurance in-type experience specifications. It is categorically different from simulator time.

The practical test is conducted in this aircraft, by an Apex TCE. The student who arrives at the practical test having flown the actual BBJ MAX 9 in live KFXE operations is materially more prepared than one who has only flown it in a simulator. This is the design intent.

Section 2
Session Syllabus — 28 Hours Total

Click each session to expand the exercise list and stage gate. Sessions are sequential. Each session begins with a formal preflight briefing (weather, NOTAMs, session objectives, student self-assessment). Each session concludes with a structured TCE debrief documented in the training record.

KFXE operations — all sessions: ATIS 125.625 · Ground 121.9 · Tower 120.9 · Approach 124.0. All ATC communications are made by the student from Session 1. The TCE does not assist with ATC unless the student is workload-saturated during a genuine emergency.

Aircraft Session 1 — Preflight, Ground & Normal Operations (7 hrs)
7 hrs logged in type
Comprehensive exterior preflight: fuel quantity dipstick/sight gauge verification (not gauges only); engine inlet and exhaust visual; control surface freedom of movement; tire condition and brake disc inspection; static wicks; navigation and landing lights
Interior preflight: oxygen pressure; circuit breakers; avionics power-up sequence; ATIS receipt and altimeter cross-check
Engine start: normal sequence; FADEC monitoring; ITT/N1 limits during start; oil pressure rise
Before-taxi checklist; request taxi clearance from KFXE Ground (121.9); runway lineup checks; Before-Takeoff checklist
Normal takeoff: rotation at Vr 152–172 KIAS; initial climb attitude; gear retraction on positive rate
Climb to VFR practice altitude; transition to cruise configuration
Steep turns: 45° bank, ±100 ft altitude, ±5 KIAS, rollout on heading ±5°
Slow flight: configuration, control effectiveness, stall warning awareness
Stall recognition and recovery: approach configuration; departure configuration; recovery without secondary stall
Visual pattern at KFXE: downwind, base, final; Vapp 136–150 KIAS; threshold crossing height
Full-stop landing: touchdown technique; directional control; brake application; rollout to taxi speed
Repeat circuit if time permits; shutdown and post-flight inspection
Stage Gate — Aircraft Session 1 → Aircraft Session 2

All of the following must be satisfied and documented by the Chief Standards Pilot before Aircraft Session 2 is authorized:

  • Preflight completed without instructor prompting — all items per AFM/checklist
  • Takeoff within ±5 KIAS of Vr 152–172; directional control throughout
  • Steep turns: ±100 ft, ±5 KIAS, heading ±5° — ACS standard
  • Landings: main gear touchdown within ±200 ft of target zone; no bounced landings
  • ATC communications: all calls made by student; no unread-back clearances
Aircraft Session 2 — IFR & Avionics in Actual Aircraft (7 hrs)
7 hrs logged in type
IFR clearance readback; departure checklist; KFXE ground and tower communication (live ATC)
IFR departure: SID if applicable; departure frequency; assigned altitude; transponder
Climb to FL200+ in actual aircraft: FMS comparison to FFS (actual aircraft FMS vs simulator FMS — note differences)
Actual ATC environment: en route frequency changes, altimeter settings, traffic advisories
ILS approach KFXE RWY 13 or 31: approach brief; FMS loading; localizer capture; glideslope intercept; DA decision
RNAV/GPS approach: FMS loading; LNAV vs LNAV/VNAV; missed approach procedure
Go-around from low altitude: full power; flap retraction schedule; climb attitude
Full-stop landing: flare technique in actual aircraft (different from FFS feel); directional control
Stage Gate — Aircraft Session 2 → Aircraft Session 3

All of the following must be satisfied and documented by the Chief Standards Pilot before Aircraft Session 3 is authorized:

  • ILS approach within ±100 ft altitude, ±5 KIAS, ±½ dot CDI throughout final
  • FMS operated proficiently in actual aircraft without instructor assistance
  • All ATC communications correct and timely; no missed frequency changes
  • TCE debrief: no areas requiring additional aircraft training before Session 3 (if applicable)
Aircraft Session 3 — Advanced Operations & Cruise (7 hrs)
7 hrs logged in type
High-altitude cruise operations in actual aircraft: actual FMS at cruise altitude; ATC coordination
RVSM operations: height-keeping monitoring; altimeter cross-check; reporting procedure
SATCOM/HF radio operation in actual aircraft
System abnormal at cruise altitude (non-critical): TCE introduces minor system indication; student diagnosis and checklist reference
Stage Gate — Aircraft Session 3 → Aircraft Session 4

All of the following must be satisfied and documented by the Chief Standards Pilot before Aircraft Session 4 is authorized:

  • RVSM height-keeping demonstrated: ±60 ft of cleared altitude for minimum 15 minutes
  • System abnormal diagnosed and referenced correctly without unsafe condition
Aircraft Session 4 — Final TCE Evaluation & Sign-Off (7 hrs)
7 hrs logged in type
TCE-directed review of any items from Sessions 1–2 debrief requiring additional practice
One additional instrument approach at TCE discretion (type selected based on training needs)
Emergency procedure awareness at altitude (without actual engine shutdown): memory item recitation in cockpit; simulated checklist reference
TCE practical test readiness evaluation: formal go/no-go determination documented in training record
If readiness confirmed: aircraft phase complete; practical test scheduled
Stage Gate — Aircraft Session 4 → Practical Test

All of the following must be satisfied and documented by the Chief Standards Pilot before Practical Test is authorized:

  • TCE formal written readiness sign-off in training record
  • No outstanding deficiencies from any aircraft phase session
  • Logbook endorsement from TCE confirming completion of aircraft phase
Section 3
Flight Time Logging

Logging category: Turbine, Multi-Engine Land · Aircraft type: BBJ MAX 9 · Type cert: B-737

Time counted: Hobbs from engine start to shutdown. All time logged as dual received — TCE is the flight instructor of record. TCE certificate number and signature in the student's logbook for every session.

This time is real. It counts toward ATP minimums, employer turbine time requirements, and insurance underwriter in-type specifications. It is not simulator time. It cannot be substituted by FFS hours in contexts requiring actual flight time in type.
Section 4
Weather Minimums — Aircraft Phase

Session 1: VMC only — ceiling not below 3,000 ft AGL, visibility not below 5 SM at KFXE. No convective activity within 30 NM.

Sessions 2+: IMC permitted at TCE's determination — ceiling not below 800 ft / 2 SM at KFXE and destination. No convective activity within 30 NM. No icing conditions for non-FIKI aircraft.

TCE authority: The TCE has final go/no-go authority for every aircraft phase session. The student may not override this determination. Weather cancellations are rescheduled at no charge within the program timeline.