Originally Posted by
cyclic
They crashed because they weren't bright enough - oh please...if this was the case then we would never let the Army fly
Actually I think its an interesting point. Ab Initio pilots are these days "selected" on the basis of them (or their relatives or bank managers) being rich enough to afford the training. Or if it's a sponsored course, it's probably something about their general co-ordination and people skills.
Yes they have to pass some exams, but that seems to be as much about learning the answers to the questions as it is about actually understanding the subject. Yes they have to pass a test, but that is primarily all about manual flying.
We then maybe send them on a fixed duration type rating course, and hope that what comes out is a uniform level of understanding.
So then we put these guys into a modern sophisticated helicopter with very complex systems and software, these being the primary ways by which they interact with the aircraft, and expect them to fully grasp all the technical intricacies. How is that related to their selection and testing for a CPL(H)?