Training is
a key element in maintaining safety in our daily flight operations. One of the most indefinable areas of training
is the recurrent segment, despite the fact that this may be the most effective
area for mitigating risk and maintaining proficiency.
During
recurrent training and flight reviews we are tasked with training to
proficiency. Proficiency can be
interpreted at many levels, but most often it is kept to the minimum standards
stated by regulation. The FAA defines
proficiency as “the outcome of the maneuver is never in doubt, be it a
standards maneuver or emergency procedure.”
Some training standards will specify maneuvers and tasks that
demonstrate meeting these requirements.
It is what
is beyond these stated standards that should be considered most relevant to our
safety. Proficiency should be taken to a
personal as well as a professional level.
If we can determine by an honest self-appraisal, the knowledge and
performance that require additional training, our competency will improve. Practice in specific areas that we recognize
as needing improvement will enhance our ability to make more confident
decisions in all situations including emergencies.
Most of the
time, this does not require a major change to standard training programs. Each training session should allow for the
pilot to request practice and/or training in skills or maneuvers that might lose
proficiency over time. There are many
skills that fall into a “perishable skill” list especially when regular flight
time does not meet certain conditions.
The most obvious of these is flight in low visibility conditions. IFR and inadvertent flight into IMC are frequently
addressed as an area of additional training.
Other perishable skills are often overlooked. Maneuvers
and equipment not employed on a regular basis such as autorotations or night
vision goggles may not be sufficiently addressed in recurrent training. Normal
training sessions might avoid emergency procedures that are difficult to replicate
in an aircraft without significant risk.
This is an area where scenario based training in flight simulators is extremely
effective. Most risk factors including
visibility restriction and emergency procedures can be practiced to proficiency
in simulators.
Beyond the perishable
skills, consideration should be given to the areas where the pilot may have
limited experience especially when changing jobs or locations. A pilot flying specific routes such as tour
operations may not be comfortable with overwater flights to a platform with no
land in sight. Specific geographical
areas and terrain may offer different challenges to different pilots. A pilot flying offshore for a considerable
period of time might find a lack of proficiency when switching to a mountainous
flight environment. A law enforcement pilot flying in a remote
area may be uncomfortable with the communications procedures when moving to a
congested environment. All of us can
recognize areas where our experience is limited. Many companies have established training
programs that include specific requirements based on the type of operation
certification, however in some areas this is vague and does not take in
consideration a lack of recent experience.
Since conditions vary significantly in different types of operation,
training should include anything that is unique along with the typical. Proficiency in training should include the
particular environmental requirements that fit the situation.
Technology
proficiency is a whole new focus area for training. Switching from analog to a digital or glass
cockpit may take extra time for some pilots.
The reverse is also true. Pilots
with mostly glass cockpit experience may find difficulty in developing an
effective scan in an analog cockpit. Then
if we look beyond the original aircraft configuration, we find that new technology
is routinely being added to the aircraft.
New models of navigation, radar and terrain awareness equipment are
providing more accurate information and warnings. Most often as technology is added to an
aircraft, training is minimal. The
technology itself can be a great asset to safe operation; however lack of
proficiency can have the opposite effect.
There are numerous documented accidents that show, despite terrain
awareness equipment installed on the aircraft, warnings were either
misunderstood or ignored. In some cases
the equipment wasn’t used even though it was available. This can be attributed to a lack of
confidence in the equipment due to a lack of training. If we are not comfortable or trained on
high-tech equipment, most likely we won’t use it. Compare this to your computer, tablet or smart
phone. There are allot of great
features, you probably don’t use because you don’t know how. In an aircraft using technology proficiently
can reduce our workload. Without proper
training the same equipment can be a liability, distraction and ultimately
increase our workload.
Lastly let’s
consider how we interface with others.
Single pilot procedures can differ considerably from a multi-crew
environment. Military pilots that came
from a structured crew environment may feel challenged by a single pilot
operation. The same can be said for
pilots with a multitude of hours flying single pilot placed in a two pilot
cockpit with different procedures and split duties. Single pilot operation and multi-crew
coordination should be a part of training from both the operation and human
factor perspective. Consideration should
also be given to training in communication and multi-tasking that includes
interfacing with the non-flying crew that are prevalent in the law enforcement,
fire, rescue, air medical, and utility type operations. Proficiency in single pilot operations as
well as crew environments requires practice and discipline.
The most
important factor to takeaway is that training should meet the personal and
operational goals and requirements of the pilot in addition to any regulatory obligations. Proficiency is the expertise and confidence
in your ability to fly the aircraft in the specific operation, under all
circumstances and make professional decisions based on knowledge and a solid
foundation of skill.
