General Aviation: Training for Greater Safety

1. Federal Aviation Administration General Aviation:Training for Greater Safety Federal Aviation Administration Presented to: AABI Forum / FAA Academia Symposium By: John Allen - Director, FAA Flight Standards Date: 14 July 2011

2. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Our Mission To assure the safety, while enabling the adventure, commerce and service of aviation. • The FAA’s Aviation Safety organization’s functions: • We set standards for training and certification of airmen and aircraft. • We certify airmen and aircraft on the basis of those standards. • We ensure their continued operational safety through oversight and surveillance.

3. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Standards Congress directed the FAA’s standard-setting priorities with passage of HR 5900, the AirlineSafety and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. • The focus of the Safety Bill is pilot training, professionalism and professional development. • It includes 8 rulemaking actions; 11 studies, task forces or reports to Congress; and 1 database. • It also mandates that we establish a number of new standards for pilot training and certification.

4. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Fundamental Skills Congressional focus is on changes to air carrier training, but we must not lose sight of GA safety: • Almost everyone starts in general aviation. • Law of primacy – importance of early training: • Fundamental skills (“stick and rudder”) • Benefits of gliderto help develop energy awareness and energy management skills • Benefits of aerobaticsto help develop meaningful understanding of aerodynamic principles and practical upset recovery skills.

5. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Flight Management Skills In addition to physical skills, training for good airmanship should include a range of flight management skills: • Situational awareness • Resource management (crew or single pilot) • Communication • Especially when operating with advanced avionics: • Information management • Automation management • Risk management

6. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Training Challenges Development of updated general aviation flight management training curriculum can draw from best practices and lessons learned in the air carrier world through AQP, LOFT, and data from voluntary reporting programs: • CRM (not just for “crew” environment) • SMS (need to communicate scalability and accessibility to individual operators) • Risk assessment (practical methods, not abstractions)

7. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Training Challenges We need to collectively rethink our approach to airman certification standards, training, and testing: • Clearly define the knowledge and skills required for “good airmanship” in today’s NAS • Make use of updated training methodologies & tools: • Scenario-based training • Integrated use of simulators • Motion-capable devices now accessible to GA • Benefits of “vection” simulation

8. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Role of Academia & U.S. NAA Vision • Existing aviation-oriented universities and part 141 training facilities will develop, conduct, and oversee the USNAA’s innovative education & certification programs. • Curriculum should incorporate SMS and lessons learned from AQP, LOFT, and data from voluntary reporting programs. • An independent board comprised of representatives from government, industry, labor, private donors, and academia will establish program standards and manage funding.

9. AABI / FAA Academia Symposium 14 July 2011 Federal Aviation Administration Questions? John Allen AFS-1 (John.Allen@FAA.gov)