Flight Training Going Forward
In my last blog entry, I discussed the Future of General Aviation. Or more specifically, it's collapse - and the various ways for flight schools wishing to focus on this niche to proceed. Today, as promised, we will take a look at what Flight Training needs to look like going forward in order to be successful in attracting commercial students and training professional pilots for today's world.
As previously noted, we can't continue to train students like we did 50 years ago, or even 10 years ago. A high degree of complacency has set into many flight training units. As professionals, we need to look at how we can develop more competent aviators, not just train pilots. There are many new technological advances that can help us achieve and exceed our training goals; along with methodological changes to facilitate better training.
Many new technologies assist in training. The most obvious is simulation. We can do more things, more effectively, and at a lower cost in the new generation of simulators. We're not just talking about using a Level 5 FTD to replace flying in an aircraft. We're talking about addressing today's accident trends, particularly Loss of Control - In flight (LOC-I). One simple way is with a crosswind simulator, such as the Redbird product. At the 705 level, simulators are now being programmed beyond the normal flight envelope to assist in Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). The most advanced incarnation is AMST Company's Desdemona sim (above) that produces sustained g-load training in a full replica flight deck.
Of course, technology need not be so elaborate. The use e-Learning in both classroom and home environments is also becoming a necessity. It allows users to repeat material as required, ensuring review periods. It can also allow users to "compete" with others in the class through various practical scenarios. Be warned however, that e-Learning material must be built along certain guidelines to make it effective.
No matter how much technology a program uses, we must have the right methodology to go along with it. The TSB notes that most low time pilots have accidents because of poor decision making. I'm sure this comes as no surprise to flight instructors. 21st century training programs need to focus on Situational Awareness (SA) and Pilot Decision Making (PDM) skills. How can this be effectively implemented? It requires a day to day integration of Scenario Based Training (SBT) - through strong syllabus development - and effective use of Threat and Error Management (TEM) skills. These in turn, at the most basic level, create good flight management skills and at its core, proper airmanship.
The most recent development in this area is the use of Competency Based Training (CBT). This system is quite intuitive, utilizing 5 levels to describe pilot performance using the core competencies an aviator requires. CBT leads to more effective training time and more consistent evaluations, including sending a student to flight test.
If the use of the terms LOC-I, UPRT, SBT, TEM, and CBT are new to you and your school, I strongly encourage you to do more research on these topics; or visit us at a Flight Instructor Refresher Course to learn more.
In summary, it will most definitely require an investment on the part of FTUs to make these changes. However, with declining student pilot enrolment and Part 705 air carriers hiring pilots much faster than we've seen in recent decades, pilots need this training in order to be successful. They will demand it from schools as they look to ensure they have a clear path to a career. And with GA pilot training way down, schools must pick an end of the spectrum to focus on and make the necessary investments. Lest they they lose their students to the schools that make these modernizations.