Safety Recommendation
The ATSB recommends that CASA consider and evaluate options to
improve the suitability of industry practices for training pilots
to make appropriate decisions when responding to engine failures
and other emergencies during critical phases of flight in
multi-engine aircraft below 5,700 kg MTOW. This review should
include an assessment of the suitability of utilising synthetic
training devices for the purpose of training pilots to make
decisions regarding emergencies.
The training syllabus for the initial issue of a multi-engine
aeroplane endorsement is currently published by CASA in Civil
Aviation Advisory Publication (CAAP) 5.23-1. It describes in detail
the course of flight and ground training, which candidates seeking
their first multi-engine endorsement (rating) should undertake. The
syllabus is also applicable to subsequent endorsements and provides
the knowledge and training requirements that detail appropriate
decision making procedures to be employed by pilots when responding
to engine failures and other emergencies in multi-engine
aircraft.
For training in decision-making procedures, it is considered
necessary to replicate as accurately as possible, the situation
where an emergency could take place. In Australia, synthetic
training devices for this class of aircraft are typically generic
in nature and are seen as a useful aid in the training of emergency
procedures.
However, due to the lack of realism, it is considered that they
fail to simulate the environment sufficiently to be of benefit in
this type of human factors training. It should also be noted that
there is a substantial cost involved in the acquisition and
operation of synthetic training devices.
Assessment of human factors is currently included in all pilot
licence theory examinations and an assessment is made during flight
testing. With the implementation of Civil Aviation Safety
Regulation (CASR) Part 61, CAS A will incorporate human factors
training in the Manual of Standards (MOS) for all flight crew
licences. Additionally, aspects of human factors are embedded
within the MOS as 'Manage Flight' elements and provide for an
assessment of the decision-making process and behaviour that must
be achieved for the issue of a qualification.
