The International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA) is concerned about the proposed substitution of simulator time for aircraft time that new pilots will receive during training for the proposed Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) ("Co-pilots set to get dedicated licences", Flight International, 27 April-3 May).
IFALPA agrees that simulators are extremely useful training tools, and should be used for manoeuvres that are too dangerous (engine failure at V1) or too impractical to regularly accomplish in an aircraft (Category III operations, for example).
But pilots know inherently and from experience how much training is required to be fundamentally proficient. Cutting airborne time down to 60h will not equip pilots with the flying and handling skills required to assure even minimum flying proficiency. Simulators cannot reproduce effects such as the g forces felt in upset recovery manoeuvres and do not produce the emotional reality that comes from landing in a heavy crosswind on a contaminated runway, and thus cannot inspire the same confidence an aircraft does.
Your report "Survey pinpoints dual causes of fatal business jet accidents" (Flight International, 4-10 May) highlighted 40% handling error and 39% inadequate situational awareness. Statistics like these will not be improved by reducing training costs.
Capt Dennis Dolan President, IFALPA, Chertsey, Surrey, UK
Source: Flight International
