Calling for improvements
Calling for improvements
I am SLF with some awareness of training, rostering and t&cs issues facing aircrew.
I have been following the R&N thread on the EK521 accident at Dubai. The discussion there has produced the suggestion that I bring the above matters to the attention of someone empowered to take action:
Link.
I now need some supporting material to send to the appropriate person(s).
I have found a BALPA statement referencing training and t&cs:
Link to statement.
The Pan Am Flight Academy addresses the training issue in more detail:
Link to article.
And Airbus seek to emphasize the importance of manual flying skills:
Article.
There is the current report that EasyJet pilots are considering strike action over the fatigue issue.
BBC article.
I would appreciate suggestions for more articles or reports I can reference. The 'harder' the information, the better:- ideally, statements from pilots themselves, or their representative bodies.
I am aware that pilots are not currently in a position from which to speak out openly about the failings of their employers and the regulators.
Finally: choosing the recipient. The first obvious choice would seem to be Chris Grayling MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport. Realistically, what are the chances of him taking meaningful action?
Would David Learmount at FlightGlobal be a better bet?
Any other suggestions?
I have been following the R&N thread on the EK521 accident at Dubai. The discussion there has produced the suggestion that I bring the above matters to the attention of someone empowered to take action:
Link.
I now need some supporting material to send to the appropriate person(s).
I have found a BALPA statement referencing training and t&cs:
We believe more needs to be done to get the Government and industry to foot some of the bill for training. We are asking the Government to look at ways it can support new pilots, including considering how the apprenticeship levy could help.
At the same time BALPA representatives are negotiating brakes on the erosion of new starters' terms and conditions. BALPA is encouraging airlines to agree permanent contracts and move away from employing pilots through temporary work agencies or on zero hour contracts.
For the UK aviation industry to continue to thrive and remain a valuable input in to the UK economy, it needs a supply of highly trained pilots.
BALPA is calling on airlines, regulators and the government to ensure fresh talent is supported and that terms and conditions for new starters are not pushed in a downwards race to the bottom
At the same time BALPA representatives are negotiating brakes on the erosion of new starters' terms and conditions. BALPA is encouraging airlines to agree permanent contracts and move away from employing pilots through temporary work agencies or on zero hour contracts.
For the UK aviation industry to continue to thrive and remain a valuable input in to the UK economy, it needs a supply of highly trained pilots.
BALPA is calling on airlines, regulators and the government to ensure fresh talent is supported and that terms and conditions for new starters are not pushed in a downwards race to the bottom
The Pan Am Flight Academy addresses the training issue in more detail:
At Pan Am International Flight Academy, a recent airline candidate for captain upgrade could not accomplish a simple hand-flown ILS approach. With over 3 years and one thousand hours as First Officer on the Boeing 737 flying for the airline, the pilot had very little actual hand flying experience. His company’s standard operating procedures were to engage the Autopilot at 500 feet and, when not auto-landing, the autopilot was disengaged at about 300 feet. Auto throttles were never disengaged. This is one example of how automation and a company's reliance on automation diminishes the skills of its pilots and increases the risks to safety.
In recent years, many simulator training events have focused on "automation" management. Pilots have become very skilled at operating the aircraft with many levels of automation engaged. These "Aircraft Managers" are trained to utilize automation to maintain high situational awareness and aircraft control during very challenging flight conditions such a CAT 3 approaches. But most airline training programmes no longer train or test basic flying skills. Like all skills, manual flying and instrument scans will become dull or be lost over a long period of non-use.
In recent years, many simulator training events have focused on "automation" management. Pilots have become very skilled at operating the aircraft with many levels of automation engaged. These "Aircraft Managers" are trained to utilize automation to maintain high situational awareness and aircraft control during very challenging flight conditions such a CAT 3 approaches. But most airline training programmes no longer train or test basic flying skills. Like all skills, manual flying and instrument scans will become dull or be lost over a long period of non-use.
And Airbus seek to emphasize the importance of manual flying skills:
Article.
There is the current report that EasyJet pilots are considering strike action over the fatigue issue.
BBC article.
I would appreciate suggestions for more articles or reports I can reference. The 'harder' the information, the better:- ideally, statements from pilots themselves, or their representative bodies.
I am aware that pilots are not currently in a position from which to speak out openly about the failings of their employers and the regulators.
Finally: choosing the recipient. The first obvious choice would seem to be Chris Grayling MP, UK Secretary of State for Transport. Realistically, what are the chances of him taking meaningful action?
Would David Learmount at FlightGlobal be a better bet?
Any other suggestions?
Calling for improvements
I am SLF with some awareness of training, rostering and t&cs issues facing aircrew.
I have been following the R&N thread on the EK521 accident at Dubai. The discussion there has produced the suggestion that I bring the above matters to the attention of someone empowered to take action
I have been following the R&N thread on the EK521 accident at Dubai. The discussion there has produced the suggestion that I bring the above matters to the attention of someone empowered to take action
Could you be a bit more specific about what the issues are and what action(s) you are proposing ? The link to the Dubai thread doesn't really shed any light on that.
Training: the prevalence of a tick box culture which focuses on operating the aircraft in a limited set of scenarios. This has led to a deterioration of manual flying skills in younger pilots. Simulator time is expensive; airlines are unwilling to allow it to be used more extensively.
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...ers-twist.html
Rostering: Flight time limits are being treated as targets, not limits. EasyJet pilots are considering industrial action over this. Emirates and FlyDubai have bad reputations re. punishing rosters. Simply establishing hours/month limits is not enough; there needs to be consideration of how a given roster enables pilots to rest between duties.
http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5...-emirates.html
T&Cs: being eroded by cost-cutting at e.g. Ryanair:
http://www.pprune.org/terms-endearme...ml#post7520309
I will put the concerns and quotes from supporting articles/reports in a letter. As mentioned, Chris Grayling MP would seem to be a candidate recipient.
In essence, I can see that comprehensively trained pilots, well-rested and fairly remunerated, are an essential part of any airline. Perusing PPRuNe over the last few years has made it clear that such pilots are increasingly scarce.
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...ers-twist.html
Rostering: Flight time limits are being treated as targets, not limits. EasyJet pilots are considering industrial action over this. Emirates and FlyDubai have bad reputations re. punishing rosters. Simply establishing hours/month limits is not enough; there needs to be consideration of how a given roster enables pilots to rest between duties.
http://www.pprune.org/rumours-news/5...-emirates.html
T&Cs: being eroded by cost-cutting at e.g. Ryanair:
http://www.pprune.org/terms-endearme...ml#post7520309
I will put the concerns and quotes from supporting articles/reports in a letter. As mentioned, Chris Grayling MP would seem to be a candidate recipient.
In essence, I can see that comprehensively trained pilots, well-rested and fairly remunerated, are an essential part of any airline. Perusing PPRuNe over the last few years has made it clear that such pilots are increasingly scarce.
