One of the most significant factors in the formulation of safe
flying habits and good airmanship is the quality of ab-initio
flying training. It is therefore
important for anyone involved in ab-initio training to receive
adequate guidance on the required syllabus and the methods of
teaching.
In recent years, the Australian flying training industry has
been through a large number of changes, with some arising from the
Civil Aviation Authority's
(CAA) implementation of a new 'Day-VFR syllabus, and others
arising from major changes in the Australian aviation industry.
While change has become a way of life for many industries,
including aviation, it is important to ensure that student pilot
training prepares new pilots for every flight that they will
undertake. The syllabus of instruction, as well as the methods by
which students are taught, should seek to encourage the development
of responsible attitudes and ensure that an adequate knowledge of
aviation is acquired. Training of instructors should also
adequately prepare them for the task of being a teacher.
This project provides a critical review of the new 'Day-VFR
syllabus and highlights some of the deficiencies that BAS1 believes
exist in Australian flying training. The major part of this report
is concerned with the 'Day-VFR syllabus; however, discussions on
the adequacy of instructional methods and techniques, instructor
training, and methods of checking and training, are also
addressed.