Originally Posted by
PilotLZ
I could say a lot on the subject of training. Even the bare minimum (which most carriers sadly rely upon to cull costs) can be implemented in a way that will make it a bit more challenging and educational. Less rigidity in the sim sessions would be a good idea, I think. Most of the time, the scenarios repeat themselves to the point where each failure starts being mentally linked to one very specific set of circumstances. Engine failure after V1 always occurs right after V1 - and it's all well and good with most pilots because they've done it enough times to feel comfortable with everything happening in the same way every time. However, if you try introducing the very same failure at 800 feet AAL, many will make a mess out of it. The same goes for loss of braking during taxiing as opposed to right after touchdown. The same goes for pretty much any failure if you introduce it at a time different from the one when it happened in the last 20 sessions of the crew members concerned. And that's actually quite worrying because real-world failures almost never follow an exact scenario. Hence, developing competencies to deal with a situation, no matter when and how it occurs, shall be prioritized over rote learning of rigid scenarios.
As for manual flying skills, lots of pitiful examples can be seen. Things go as far as some people classifying it as unprofessional, irresponsible and whatnot else. And never asking themselves what will happen on the day when George goes belly-up and you will have to fly the plane manually all the way from FL350, fly a non-precision approach and land - and the skills required for that are simply not there. The safety and quality departments of many outfits will hang you if the snapshot at 1000 feet AAL on final is not quite right, so many prefer to keep the autopilot engaged through 1000 feet AAL just to make sure that they're off the hook. And the FDM watchers are all happy and not at the slightest concerned that said pilot would not have been able to achieve the same snapshot if it hadn't been for the autopilot. Which gives some food for very disturbing thoughts. The entire culture and attitude towards automation needs to change as the individuals, with all their weaknesses, are just a product of the system.
Can you come run our training department please?