Pilot Education – The Key to Airmanship Pilot Education The Key to Airmanship Captain Dave McKenney Director, Pilot Training Programs Air Line Pilots Association,

Pilot Education – The Key to Airmanship

Pilot Education The Key to Airmanship

Captain Dave McKenney

Director, Pilot Training ProgramsAir Line Pilots Association, Int’lTraining, Standardization & Compliance Conference

July 17, 2012


Overview

Airmanship

Pilot Education

Flight Deck Automation

Advanced Qualification Program (AQP)

Using AQP for Pilot Education


Airmanship


Airmanship

► Airmanship is more than simply having the requisite knowledge and skills; it is also about having an appropriate attitude, self-discipline and a desire to perform optimally at all times.

► Airmanship is an approach to aviation, which manifests itself in excellent performance.

“Airmanship Training for Modern Aircrew” (Louise Ebbage and Phil Spencer)


Airmanship

► “Airmanship Training For Modern Aircrew” by Louise Ebbage & Phil Spencer

BasicAirmanship

Basic Competence(Foundation of knowledge, skills etc - evolves

further through continuous improvement)

SuperiorAirmanship

Situation Management(Foresight, problem solving,situational awareness etc)

OutstandingAirmanshipThe will to beexcellent


Airmanship

The Elements of Airmanship – Ebbage & Spencer

Situational Awareness Problem solvingMental workload Foresight

Flying skills Automation skills

Information management Navigation skills

Communication skills

Self-improvement

VigilanceCo-operationConfidence


Airmanship

Redefining Airmanship by Anthony Kern

http://airline-command.blogspot.com/2007/06/redefining-airmanship-book-review.html

http://airline-command.blogspot.com/2007/06/redefining-airmanship-book-review.html


Airmanship Definition

► A measure of a pilot’s awareness of the Aircraft Flight environment Her/his own capabilities Behavioural characteristics,

► Flying skills, ► Combined with good judgement, ► Wise decision making, ► Attention to detail, ► High sense of self-discipline.


Develop Airmanship

►Pilots need to develop basic skills to Aviate Navigate Communicate Manage

systems/tasks/workload/CRMIn the increasingly complex operational environment, during normal and non-normal operations


Developing Pilot Skills

►Skills need to be developed over time and require:

Knowledge Application Practice

►Once acquired, pilot skills need to be practiced to maintain Proficiency and Fluency


Proficiency & Fluency

►Competency – Demonstrated Ability►Proficiency - Attained after several

repeats in several different events►Fluency – Ability to use in the “Heat of

Battle” Only attained after a maneuver can be properly

completed after numerous repetitions, without error, over time

► If the maneuver cannot be done properly after the passage of time, that pilot by definition is not "fluent" although they may be proficient after one or more repeats.


Fluency

► Fluency Training/Evaluation standard for a small sub-set

of critical events that can lead to a catastrophic loss of control if unrecognized and recovered appropriately

Non-procedural in nature ►As long as the aircraft is returned to a proper state of

control, even if the crew omitted or committed a procedural step, it is fluent

Only applied to truly "critical" maneuvers All non-critical maneuvers may continue to be

trained to proficiency► Safety and training data can provide data

which will show which tasks are critical


Fluency

► Fluency can be attained by offering realistic training events of such critical events in established training cycles, and offering enough repetitions for each pilot that they can demonstrate adequate recognition and recovery skills.

► The evaluation of the standard of “fluency” is then demonstrated by evaluation of the crew performance when given a “surprise” and un-announced critical event in the course of realistic operationally-oriented simulator training.


Pilot Skills

►Knowledge and skills come from more than training. They also come from

Operational experience Mentoring Hangar flying … and other ways


Technology is not a Silver Bullet

Primary Pilot Skills to be developed and maintained

Manual Flight Operations Task Management Flight Path / Energy Management Managing Malfunctions Crew Resource Management Decision Making


System-of-Systems Manager

► Managing tasks within the flight deck is complex and requires managing:

flight deck workload, distractions, and tasks generated by others inside and outside

the flight deck

► Today’s technology and training does not always prepare the pilot to be a system-of-systems manager

alpaalpa UNITEDAIRLINES

PROFILE OF PROFICIENCY *PHYSIOLOGICAL• Fatigue• Rest break schedule• Rest break facilities• Time off between trips• Circadian rhythm• Crew Meals

PERFORMANCEORIENTATION• Pilot focus / lack of performance initiative

EXPERIENCE• Total flying experience• Time on aircraft• Years of service

MOTIVATION• Professionalism• Outside distractions• Outside employment

ASSIGNED CREW DUTIES• Roles and responsibilities• Command duties• Change of command

AIRLINE SYSTEMSTRUCTURE• Term limits• Bidding• Scheduling• Seniority systems

PERFORMANCE FAILURE• Downward spiral

(multiple failures)• Isolated from others• Loss of confidence• Bid restrictions

PRACTICE• Exposure to aircraft• Exposure to simulator• Frequency and duration

TRAINING• Quality of training• Transference of training• Frequency and duration• Location and type

EMOTIONAL• Depression• Anxiety• Loss of confidence• Life events

PERSONALITY

PROFICIENCYA thorough competence

derived from trainingand practice

*This model addresses proficiency of all pilots in an augmented crew. Shaded boxes reflect factors that will not be investigated in the current study.

alpa


Pilot Education


Pilot Education

Training and Education are not interchangeable

Training - Develops Response Structures

Education – Develops Airmanship

The regulatory and corporate model of the pilot’s role favors an anti-intellectual approach to learning and a minimalist approach to procedural training


Pilot Education

► Need more focus on combining a thorough Education with Training

► Leverage Technology to Train competency in technical and non-technical

skills Develop Airmanship skills On-going pilot improvement education – that

spans a career


Professional Pilot

► Requires Training Competency and Fluency in Technical Skills Non-Technical Skills Airmanship

► This requires formal initial and recurrent education in airmanship skills as well as proper on-going airline mentoring by well-qualified pilots.

► Training and obtaining certain flying skills (Manual Handling) alone does not make a professional pilot.


Pilot Education

To develop skills for Airmanship and Flight Deck Resource Management ► We need a paradigm shift

► Emphasis should be on shifting away from a pilot betting their license and move toward facilitating a learning environment

► Encourage continuous improvement and strive for perfection, not settle for just passing the Checkride


Pilot Education

Individual Programs, Courses, Professional Development, etc. should be components of a quality continuous improvement program for pilots that is constantly monitored and improved by the Training Management System


Training Management System (TMS)

► Modeled after core principles of SMS

► Provides a structured management system to control risk in operations

► Allow operators to use a well-defined system to identify, construct and deliver curriculum that is relevant and fresh, without wasting resources on items that are NOT.

► System Definition Integrated networks of people and other

resources that accomplish the same mission/goal


Training Management System

► Mission -> Quality Pilot Education► Major Stakeholders

Operator - responsible for compliance Regulator - responsible for oversight Pilots - provide a “real-world” perspective

► Training Roundtable Data-driven approach to establish training priorities and

objectives Examine Operational, training data, and safety data

► “Steering and Oversight Committee” Assess effectiveness of Training System Assess effectiveness of Training Management System


Validate Training Effectiveness

Use valid evidence to determine whether your training system actually contributes to improved pilot education and performance


Scenario-Based Training

Purpose of scenario-based training Emphasize the development of

critical thinking,

flight management, and

flying skills

during normal line operations rather than solely on traditional part-task maneuver-based skill training.



Result of scenario-based training Accelerates the acquisition of higher-level

decision-making skills and airmanship by requiring the pilots to apply their entire acquired training knowledge and skill sets during line-oriented flight training

Excellent way to evaluate Fluency of critical maneuvers

Line Oriented Evaluation



Elements of Scenario-based Training► Include scenarios from accident, incident, and safety data to

provide realistic opportunities for pilots to see how threat situations may develop and how they should be managed during line operations.

► Prevention (Avoidance and Recognition): Emphasize proper aeronautical decision making, CRM skills, enhancing a pilot’s situational awareness

► Do not brief pilots ahead of time that they are receiving scenario-based training or what events are going to happen.

► Good training tool to introduce a Startle/Surprise event during realistic line-oriented flight training in the simulator.

► Allows Pilots to practice Threat and Error management (TEM)


Flight Deck Automation


Inadequate Pilot Knowledge► Understanding of flight director, autopilot,

autothrottle/autothrust, and flight management system/computer: Knowledge of systems and limitations

Operating procedures

Need for confirmation and crosscheck

Mode transitions and behavior

► Crew Resource Management

► Unusual attitude recognition and recovery, including high altitude

► Speed and energy management

► Operations into uncontrolled airspace and airfields


Operational Experience

► Pilots often mitigate operational risk – and we appropriately rely on that

► Vulnerability areas: Autoflight mode confusion Flight management system programming and

use Manual handling Crew communication Task management, including managing

distractions Managing malfunctions


Flight Path Management

►Regulatory requirements focus on performing discrete maneuvers instead of operational tasks

►Many programs don’t train pilots how to use the automated systems to help fly the airplane

►Few programs explicitly address managing off-path deviations


Vulnerability Areas related to Automated Systems

► Pilots sometimes abdicate too much responsibility to automated systems

Why?Perceived lack of trust in pilot performance by

operators Policies that encourage use of automated

systems over manual operationsInsufficient training/experience/judgment

Result: pilots may not be prepared to handle non-routine situations


Vulnerability Areas related to Automated Systems

► Mode confusion► Pilot bias to use information from

automated systems instead of other sources► Perception that automating a task in

equipment design will eliminate pilot error► Information automation (e.g., moving map displays) has provided significant safety contributions but may have disadvantages depending on implementation and use► Future: increase in information automation

may introduce additional vulnerabilities


Findings - Notes

► Many different types of automated systems► Automated systems have significantly

contributed to safety and efficiency► Some issues may not be because the

systems are automated ► Complexity can contribute to vulnerabilities

Tasks Interrelationships between onboard

systems (and their interfaces) Integration into the airspace


Opportunities for Improvement

► Develop Airmanship training► Partial system failures► Transition between manual and automated flight► Train for the unknown► More “no-jeopardy” training► Prevention► Startle/surprise


Advanced Qualification Program



► AQP – Voluntary Safety Program Continuous Improvement Process

► Safety Management System (SMS)► Safety Culture► Workload

Data Analysis Task Analysis Scenario Development

► Challenge to Keep AQP Program Fresh and Relevant




► Preamble SFAR 58 – October 2, 1990 “Allows a certificate holder to establish an AQP

with training curriculums that depart from current requirements and take advantage of the most advanced training techniques….”

► Preamble AQP Rule – Subpart Y September 16, 2005 “Based on a documented analysis of operational

requirements, a certificate holder under AQP may propose to depart from traditional practices with respect to what, how, when, and where training and testing is conducted.”


AQP NPRM

► Preamble AQP NPRM – subpart Y March 30, 2005

• AQP offers several long-range advantages:

Flexibility to tailor training and certification activities to a carrier’s particular needs and operational circumstances.

AQP encourages innovation in developing training strategies. It includes wide latitude in choice of training methods and media…

Approved means for the applicant to replace FAA mandated uniform qualification standards with carrier-proposed alternatives…


Paradigm Shift – Risk Management

• Safety Management System (SMS)Measuring, mitigating and managing risk, not just

safety events.Process definition of safety to accompany product

definition...beyond regulatory compliance.Regulations as risk controls.

• Voluntary Safety Programs (VSP)Incentives

Trust

Information Protection


AQP & Safety

►Fully Integrates Crew Resource Management (CRM) Threat & Error Management (TEM)

►Continuous Improvement Process Navigation Errors (Training Procedure) Low Visibility Takeoff (Training Policy) Go-Arounds (More Practice)





► Scenario-based Training► Integrate the use of CRM skills throughout

training Threat and Error Management

► Instead of only providing scripted training on discrete maneuvers, leverage technology and safety data to also provide

Unscripted training, to include surprise Training for the unknown Practice of difficult and crisis situations Flight Deck Resource Management Skills



Train like you Fly -> Fly like you Train

Airmanship Surprise / Startle Train for the Unknown Train Flightpath / Energy

Management Continuous Improvement Process Develop a Training Management

System


Some Airmanship Questions

►How well does the training system develop airmanship skills?

►How do we evaluate Airmanship in “Checking” events?

►How do we identify pilots who have airmanship deficiencies and what help is available to them to help improve their airmanship qualities?


CURRENCY DOES NOT EQUATE TO PROFICIENCY

►Factors that affect pilot proficiency are very complex - simply maintaining landing currency on an airplane does not necessarily maintain a pilot’s overall proficiency.

►On highly automated aircraft, a pilot’s proficiency is defined not only by how well the pilot manipulates the controls, but also by how well the pilot interfaces with the automation in the role as both the pilot flying (PF) and the pilot-monitoring (PM).


CONCEPT OF CURRENCY RE-DEFINED

►The proficiency and experience gained in performing PM duties on highly automated aircraft has a direct positive correlation on a pilot’s proficiency in performing PF duties.

►Currency should be re-defined to reflect proficiency of both PF and PM duties.

►PM duties be included in the currency requirements


Selecting the Right Training Device*

►Keep training objectives at the center of the decision

►Some devices may be more effective than others at teaching certain tasks, and therefore matching the right training tool to the right training objective will be key

* Courtesy Research Integrations – “Flight Crew Training for NextGen Automation” http://researchintegrations.com/findpub_byid.aspx?ID=24

http://researchintegrations.com/findpub_byid.aspx?ID=24


Employing Improved Technology

►Pilot training►But just as important

Training managers Instructor pilots Training program

►All must understand the training objectives, tools, platforms and methodologies used


Training

►Pilots must be trained well above the minimum acceptable proficiency level to allow for proficiency stagnation and loss.

►Proficiency loss is inevitable, especially when practice opportunities are few.

►A pilot who is initially trained to a higher level will cope with proficiency loss better than those trained to the minimum level.


Practice

►What training is done to prepare the pilot(s) for taking over from Autopilot?

►What recent experience did they have “hand-flying” the airplane at high altitude with turbulence?

►Lack of discussion on failure modes of systems or of crew training requirements to handle these failures.

►Multiple Failures


Training

►A pilot trained to the minimum proficiency level will fall below the minimum acceptable safe level when their proficiency declines.


Contact Information

Captain Dave McKenney

Director, Pilot Training ProgramsAir Line Pilots Association, Int’l

[email protected]

Documents

Pilot Education – The Key to Airmanship Pilot Education The Key to Airmanship Captain Dave McKenney Director, Pilot Training Programs Air Line Pilots Association,