I have been training at Eagle for a bit more than a month so far and it has been an interesting process. We have been alternating between home and classroom studies. We had to cover airplane systems while covering other subjects that are important parts of a pilot's job. It included among other things, FMS ( flight management systems ) labs where through an interactive computer program we were able to learn and become familiar with the functionalities of the equiment. We also spent some time learning about the abnormal procedures relating to safety, by using the emergency equipments that we have on board like fire extinguishers or life vests and about the operation of the emergency exits. Moreover we were given a speech about high risk situations like terrorism and complicated passengers. While it was done in a very unorthodox manner, it was at least to the point. The past week we started working on cockpit system integration which basically is the process of sitting in front of a plastic display of the CRJ's cockpit and work on the crew members flow and understand how the systems are used at different stages of the flight. It allows pilots to establish some sort of confort and make for an easier transition before starting the simulator sessions. After spending the last month working hard to become familiar with the airplane, I successfully passed my oral check. While I was fully prepared and thought it was pretty straight forward I found myself stumped by two questions. I left the interrogation room more knowledgeable and satisfied by my performance. Now I get to go home for a week or so while I wait for my simulator sessions to start and finally complete my checkride. The amount of pilots who are currently training accross the country are keeping the full motion simulators and training centers very busy lately. It's a good sign of health !