For many new pilots, the children of the magenta line syndrome starts right from the first simulator session on a jet transport and goes downhill from there.
Instead of the first two or three sessions being used for basic jet handling without the automatics and FD and AT etc, the usual syllabus get stuck into automatics from the very first take off. The profile descent (idle thrust and DME v altitude) needs to have the new pilot flying the profile by hand raw data in IMC with the instructor coaching him. And I mean coaching - not shouting as often is the case. Skill at hand flying a profile descent with its variation of wind and airspeed changes is essential knowledge in preparation for later monitoring an automatics descent. Learning to crawl before learning to walk?
The effect of engine power up and down on the pitching moment while maintaining level flight - basic single engine handling (forget checklists at this stage) by hand sans FD -basic ILS in crosswinds raw data - unusual attitude recoveries, stall recoveries at high level (37,000 ft) and low altitude on approach (500 feet). Conventional circuits and crosswind landings are ideal for sharpening hand flying skills. Hand flying raw data before the introduction of automation goodies, gives a new student a sound grasp of the essentials of jet transport handling before he is introduced to the intricacies of serious automation.
Then if something goes wrong or ATC throw a curve-ball, the student will be confident of going click-click-click to reduce the level of automation to something more manageable (hand flying) because by now he knows how to hand fly a jet with confidence. It is a good bet that 95 percent of the world's airline pilots have never seen the video Children of the Magenta Line - which is a great pity for its value to the new generation of airline pilots is inestimable
The mistake in simulator training is to throw a new student into a type rating without first allowing sufficient time to consolidate the basics of jet transport handling. And that means no automatics until competent at basic handling. The hand-wringing hue and cry about loss of pure flying skills in airline pilots has been going for years - yet politically correct management speakers at international flight safety forums seem to avoid the obvious - and that is lack of interest by managements to tackle the problem because it might cost more money in simulator training. Funny how the big fatal accidents always happen to some other foreign airline - never your own. Thus no incentive to change the status quo.
Last edited by A37575; 29th Apr 2012 at 13:37.