MPL Flight Managers?
I have followed the various threads concerning pilot competence with interest, although I'm just a low time non transport pilot used to be. It's my impression that many jurisdictions are now qualifying first officers with MPL training and that the MPL is based mostly on procedures and simulator time, with as little as 30-40 hours in a primary trainer cockpit. I guess this fits in with the new class of transport category aircraft that are highly automated; however, I wonder if such training gives the student any "feel" for an aircraft and its very delicate balancing act called "flight". I've been searching the internet for information on the MPL and encountered this on the AviationKnowledge website:
"Highlights of MPL"
"The Multi-Crew Pilot License programme can produce co-pilot in 240 hours, of which 210 hours is in simulators.
This training programme can be completed in 45 weeks as compared to 18 months to 2 years in the current existing system.
Introduced in late 2006, Multi-Crew Pilot License, has been driven to success by the cost and speed effectiveness."
I also found this rather interesting quote on the Patria website:
"In MPL training actual flight hours will be complemented with high quality simulation training in the A320 cockpit environment. Flying has become more and more flight management and MPL addresses directly to these issues."
Are we now training up a generation of "flight managers" whose skill set is comprised primarily of button pushing, knob twisting and occasional lever displacement?
Cheers,
Grog