Regional Airline New Hire Training Perspectives Preparing the Ab-Initio pilot for the Regional Airlines John O’Brien Delta Connection Academy

Regional Airline New Hire Training Perspectives

Preparing the Ab-Initio pilot for the Regional Airlines

John O’BrienDelta Connection Academy

Leadership In Flight Training

Aerosim © Copyright 2010

WATS 2009 Discussion

• Pilot Hiring Projections

• Former military pilots not available

• Furloughed Pilots recall effort falling short



Threats to Pilot Provisioning

Negative Images of the Airline industry

• Airline Financial Crisis• Public Relations Disaster• Pilot Lifestyle Expose’• GFC Impact on Funding Pilot Training• Competing Career Fields• Congressional Call to Action - HR 3371, now HR1586



Industry Answers the Call to Action

• Pilot Career Initiatives (PCI) Ad hoc group of Managers and Executives of:

• Flight Training Academies• Regional Airlines• Aviation Colleges and Universities• Aircraft Manufacturers• Flight Training Manufacturers



Industry Answers the Call to Action

Weekly conference calls and exchange of documents resulted in a joint response to the FAA ANPRM 2010-0100

Although a joint response, the stakeholders of PCI submittedtheir individual opinions which differed in some areas. The common goal of all was to provide feedback on the propertraining and skills required to begin a career at a Part 121 air carrier



It is the belief of Delta Connection Academy that the answer to the question of competence on the flight deck lies in goodfoundational training that includes the following elements:

• Flying Skills• Risk assessment and management• Aeronautical decision making• Cockpit Resource and Threat and Error Management

In a structured

Competency Based Program.



Pilot Applicant Experience versus SupplyAn Inverse Proportion

Aces Nuggets

Hangar Full

Hangar Empty

250 hour pilots without sufficient experience and training placed in regional airlines



Were they prepared for the demanding operating environment and complex equipment that they were flying?

If not how can we ensure they are ready for the next hiring boom?

Competency based training that follows proven best practices



MPL

Not advocating for USA but many elements of MPL find their place in the ANPRM

http://bilia.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/elephant-21.jpg



Q – Should all crewmembers engaged in 121 operations have an ATP (successful written exam, 1500 hours and rating check ride)

A – Do Navy F-18 pilots have 1500 hours before their first combat mission?

An hourly minimum without specific proven competencies will not enhance the mission effectiveness of newly hired regional pilots



Q – Are aviation pilot graduates from accredited aviation universityand college degree programs likely to have a more solid academic knowledge base than other pilots hired for air carrier operations?

A – Charles Lindbergh dropped out of the University of Wisconsin after 1 ½ years and had a fairly impressive career in aviation

“to be a member of Congress you don’t have to have a college degree—but even football players go to college!” (Jackie Mason)

A solid academic knowledge base can be achieved in any institution that providesa robust program and students that are capable and excited to learn

PS - Military flight programs are not accredited



Q – Should the FAA consider crediting specific academic study in lieu of arbitrary flight hour requirements, if so what kind of academic study should the FAA accept

A – Academic study without core competency skill training in a real world environment is like Thanksgiving without the Turkey

Let’s put the student pilot destined for an airline career into the laboratory of the real world though simulation and scenario based training coupled with required competency.



Q – How many hours should be required beyond the minimum hours needed to qualify for a commercial pilot certificate?

A – Was LeBron James ready for the NBA as a 17 year old?

While there is no scientific data to support an hourly minimum, innate ability, experience and training, will always trumpan imposed minimum. The real answer lies in exposure tosituations in which the pilot will likely find himself in, and whether or not he is prepared to confront and win in that situation.

DCA supports the formation of an ARC and participationby flight training providers



Q – Should pilots have an endorsement on their license for air carrier operations?

A – Emerging licensures (MPL) integrate ab-initio training with with type training and airline specific qualification. With a proper endorsement backed by specific competency based flight and simulator training, and academic coursework that is agreed to by various stakeholders (FAA, RAA, ATA, ALPA, Flight TrainingOrganizations), US carriers can be encouraged to hire thesepilots with a great degree of confidence.



Summary

• We are on the threshold of a new era in commercial pilot training

• Destined to be the right mix of flight skills, core competencies, and practical knowledge

• Our goal as always will be to provide safe travel to the millions of customers that fly with us

• Only through selfless dedication of individuals can we achieve our goals

• Hats off to those who are willing to participate for our brotherhood of aviation

Documents

Regional Airline New Hire Training Perspectives Preparing the Ab-Initio pilot for the Regional Airlines John O’Brien Delta Connection Academy