WATS_2012_ST April 2012

WATS 2012

The Erosion of Manual Flying

Skills
Is it true, is it important, what do we do about it?

Presented by Capt. Jacques Drappier

WATS_2012_ST April 2012

ACCIDENT RATES

IATA Figures 2011

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

ICAO STATISTICS

LOC-I = Loss of
Control in flight

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

50
AIRBUS Hull Loss Accidents
43
45

40 Airbus data end 2009

35

30

25

20 16
15
8 7 8
10

5 2 2

0
Total CFIT Loss of Runway Land Fuel Other
Control Excursion short

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Flight Safety Conference 2010
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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

Erosion of Manual flying skills?

• High Profile accidents indicate handling issues
• Over reliance on automation ?
• Lack off Flying Skills or Lack of Airmanship ?

• Erosion of Flying Skills:

• Is it True?
• Is it important?
• What can we do about it?

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

IS IT TRUE ?

• Overruns

• Hard landings

• Loss of Control accidents

• Lack of scientific data

Yes, it is true
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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

IS IT IMPORTANT ?
• Importance measured by impact on safety

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 March 2012

IS IT IMPORTANT ?

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

IS IT IMPORTANT ?

• Automation has brought safer environment

• First generation jets were difficult to fly
• Automation may be leading to complacency
• Automation may be leading to loss of confidence
• Manual skills needed less often but still needed

YES, It is important
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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

WHAT CAN WE DO ?
• What is the root cause?

• Erosion is not solely the result of lack of practice.

• Contributing factors:
• Poor ab-initio training
• Insufficient command training
• Insufficient recurrent training
• Inadequate airline policy

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

SOLUTION ?
• LACK OF PROPER INITIAL TRAINING

• LACK OF PROPER COMMAND TRAINING

• LACK OF RECENCY

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

INITIAL

• Enough QUALITY time should be allocated

• Upset recovery training must be included in initial

• Simulator time can be excellent training time

• Hours is not a guarantee

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 March 2012

TYPE TRAINING

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

RECURRENT
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

Scenario Based
Evaluation Maneuvers Training
Training

• Train maneuver skills to • Manage the most relevant

Objective

• Assess competence
proficiency. events according to
• Identify training needs
• Validate system evidence collected
• Validate training system
performance and skill • Improve competency to
performance
decay. manage unforeseen events

• Sequence of deliberate
• Line orientated
actions to achieve a • Line orientated flight
Conduct

One or more occurrence

prescribed flight path scenarios
• Evaluating one or more key
• E.g.: RTO, EF V1, OEI APP, • One or more predictable or
elements of the required
OEI GA, Emer. Descent, unpredictable threats;
competencies
OEI Drift down

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

CONCLUSION
• Long-term issue,
• Pilot skills are not equal but must be taken into account,
• Job changes to more decision making and monitoring,
• Manufacturers have introduced more automation to assist the
pilots,
• Airbus position: Use the appropriate level of automation at all
times.
• Regulators should review their requirements based on solid
studies,
• Operators should take their share of the responsibility,
• The whole industry must work together towards more safety
including all aspects.

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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

Conclusion

.
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WATS_2012_ST April 2012

Thank You
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