I wonder which operators or training providers are passing out these Indian cadet students with a type rating. Many go to USA for type ratings. With full use automatics taught from the first session, it is no wonder these incidents and similar accidents involving poor basic flying skills will continue to dominate the future aviation scene - particularly in India, Middle East and SE Asia.
Manufacturers and airlines realise that low hour pilot hiring is standard procedure in countries with little or no general aviation. That will never change. But surely by now, the penny should have dropped that newly graduated cadets going directly into the second in command seat of highly automated types, must first be taught basic jet handling in the simulator - regardless of the type of aircraft they are training on. Australia is not doing that today.
It seems crazy to teach automatics as first priority when there is deadly evidence of these pilots lacking basic flying ability. With apologies to Sir Humphrey Appleby of "Yes Minister" (the young won't know what I'm talking about!) - it is indeed a courageous decision by any captain that leaves these fellows alone up front even for a few minutes.
Last edited by Tee Emm; 25th Nov 2010 at 12:10.