Flight Instructor Training Module
FAA/Industry Training Standards, or FITS, is a joint government-stakeholder initiative designed to reduce the total number of general aviation (GA) accidents. To do this, FITS will introduce proven concepts in system safety to training for technically advanced aircraft (TAA). This represents a significant paradigm shift, allowing GA training to evolve from a skill-based instructional and examining activity; to one that uses scenario-based training to integrate risk management, aeronautical decision-making (ADM), situational awareness, and single-pilot resource management (SRM) into every flight operation. FITS is the key to ensuring this change occurs in a structured manner, one that involves all facets of the general aviation community.
This Flight Instructor Training Module, the first in a series of new instructional resources, is designed to achieve two objectives. First, it will familiarize flight instructors with the FITS program, including its history, objectives, methods, and future goals. Second and perhaps most important, this module will provide instructors with the guidance needed to develop their own FITS-based training curricula.
Aircraft Automation Management- The demonstrated ability to operate an aircraft by means of on-board automated systems.
Automated Navigation Leg- A flight of 30 minutes or more conducted between two airports in which the aircraft is controlled primarily by the autopilot and on-board navigation systems.
Automation Competence- The demonstrated ability to understand and operate a given aircraft’s automated systems.
Automation Surprise- The ability of an automated system to provide different cues to pilots when compared to the analog system it replaces, especially in time-critical situations.
Automation Bias- The relative willingness of the pilot to trust and utilize automated systems.
Candidate Assessment- A system of critical thinking and skill evaluations designed to assess a student’s readiness to begin training at the appropriate level.
Critical Safety Tasks/Events- Those mission-related tasks/events that if not accomplished quickly and accurately, may result in aircraft damage, injury, or loss of life.
Data link Situational Awareness (SA) Systems- Systems that provide real-time weather, traffic, terrain, and/or flight planning information to the cockpit. This information may be displayed on the Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi-Function Display (MFD), or other related cockpit displays.
Emergency Escape Maneuver- A maneuver or series of maneuvers performed manually or with the aid of the aircraft’s automated systems that allows a pilot to successfully escape from an unanticipated flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or other life-threatening situations.
Generic FITS- These standards cover broad categories of training functions in technically advanced aircraft, such as flight reviews, complex/high-performance training, and training toward a new certificate or rating. Individual training entities (e.g. flight instructors, pilot schools) may adapt them for a particular aircraft or other scenarios.
Introduction
Flight training within the general aviation (GA) community has reached a critical juncture. While the industry as a whole enjoys an admirable safety record, recent statistics show an increase in both total and fatal accident rates. This fact, coupled with the proliferation of advanced technologies in small aircraft cockpits, has led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take a critical look at how pilots are trained.
What is FITS?
In an effort to address the causal factors associated with many GA accidents, as well as the introduction of new cockpit technologies, the FAA has partnered with industry to develop the FITS program. FITS, or FAA/Industry Training Standards, offers a new approach to GA flight training, one that embraces concepts central to system safety. These include risk management, aeronautical decision-making, situational awareness, and single-pilot resource management. Instead of treating each element as a separate or stand-alone lesson, scenario-based training will be used to efficiently integrate these important concepts into every instructional exercise.
To maximize the benefits of this program, FITS will focus on the segment of general aviation that uses single-pilot, small reciprocating or turbojet/turbofan-powered, technically advanced aircraft for personal transportation. While FITS may offer advantages beyond this narrow scope, the justification for this focus is clear. Air carriers and larger, crew-served corporate operators currently have in place extensive training requirements. In addition, these communities enjoy a record of safety that is unsurpassed. While operational and regulatory differences pose unique challenges for GA, statistics have shown that structured, scenario-based training is the key to achieving the high level of safety enjoyed by the airlines and larger corporate operators.
Why is FITS Needed?
As mentioned earlier, flight training has changed very little since the dawn of regulated aviation. In fact, a private pilot trained to standards outlined in the Civil Aeronautics Regulations, circa the 1940’s, would likely do quite well in most operations required by today’s practical test. This is because many of the basic skills needed to pilot an aircraft have changed very little. However, the development of new technologies and a rapidly evolving airspace system have outpaced current training methods. Moreover, the FAA and the flight training community now have over a century’s worth of experience upon which to draw when determining how best to train pilots. While the military and airline communities have leveraged this experience, the general aviation community has been slow to make use of the lessons learned.
Foreword
This Flight Instructor Training Module, the first in a series of new instructional resources, is designed to achieve two objectives. First, it will familiarize flight instructors with the FITS program, including its history, objectives, methods, and future goals. Second and perhaps most important, this module will provide instructors with the guidance needed to develop their own FITS-based training curricula.
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| The new Diamond Star DA-40 |
FITS Terminology
As you review this training module and other FITS materials, you will be introduced to many new terms, some of which include:Aircraft Automation Management- The demonstrated ability to operate an aircraft by means of on-board automated systems.
Automated Navigation Leg- A flight of 30 minutes or more conducted between two airports in which the aircraft is controlled primarily by the autopilot and on-board navigation systems.
Automation Competence- The demonstrated ability to understand and operate a given aircraft’s automated systems.
Automation Surprise- The ability of an automated system to provide different cues to pilots when compared to the analog system it replaces, especially in time-critical situations.
Automation Bias- The relative willingness of the pilot to trust and utilize automated systems.
Candidate Assessment- A system of critical thinking and skill evaluations designed to assess a student’s readiness to begin training at the appropriate level.
Critical Safety Tasks/Events- Those mission-related tasks/events that if not accomplished quickly and accurately, may result in aircraft damage, injury, or loss of life.
Data link Situational Awareness (SA) Systems- Systems that provide real-time weather, traffic, terrain, and/or flight planning information to the cockpit. This information may be displayed on the Primary Flight Display (PFD), Multi-Function Display (MFD), or other related cockpit displays.
Emergency Escape Maneuver- A maneuver or series of maneuvers performed manually or with the aid of the aircraft’s automated systems that allows a pilot to successfully escape from an unanticipated flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) or other life-threatening situations.
Generic FITS- These standards cover broad categories of training functions in technically advanced aircraft, such as flight reviews, complex/high-performance training, and training toward a new certificate or rating. Individual training entities (e.g. flight instructors, pilot schools) may adapt them for a particular aircraft or other scenarios.
Introduction
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| Advanced cockpit systems will soon find their way into perennial favorites, such as Cessna’s new 172. |
Flight training within the general aviation (GA) community has reached a critical juncture. While the industry as a whole enjoys an admirable safety record, recent statistics show an increase in both total and fatal accident rates. This fact, coupled with the proliferation of advanced technologies in small aircraft cockpits, has led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take a critical look at how pilots are trained.
What is FITS?
In an effort to address the causal factors associated with many GA accidents, as well as the introduction of new cockpit technologies, the FAA has partnered with industry to develop the FITS program. FITS, or FAA/Industry Training Standards, offers a new approach to GA flight training, one that embraces concepts central to system safety. These include risk management, aeronautical decision-making, situational awareness, and single-pilot resource management. Instead of treating each element as a separate or stand-alone lesson, scenario-based training will be used to efficiently integrate these important concepts into every instructional exercise.
To maximize the benefits of this program, FITS will focus on the segment of general aviation that uses single-pilot, small reciprocating or turbojet/turbofan-powered, technically advanced aircraft for personal transportation. While FITS may offer advantages beyond this narrow scope, the justification for this focus is clear. Air carriers and larger, crew-served corporate operators currently have in place extensive training requirements. In addition, these communities enjoy a record of safety that is unsurpassed. While operational and regulatory differences pose unique challenges for GA, statistics have shown that structured, scenario-based training is the key to achieving the high level of safety enjoyed by the airlines and larger corporate operators.
Why is FITS Needed?
As mentioned earlier, flight training has changed very little since the dawn of regulated aviation. In fact, a private pilot trained to standards outlined in the Civil Aeronautics Regulations, circa the 1940’s, would likely do quite well in most operations required by today’s practical test. This is because many of the basic skills needed to pilot an aircraft have changed very little. However, the development of new technologies and a rapidly evolving airspace system have outpaced current training methods. Moreover, the FAA and the flight training community now have over a century’s worth of experience upon which to draw when determining how best to train pilots. While the military and airline communities have leveraged this experience, the general aviation community has been slow to make use of the lessons learned.
Regards,
Akash Shrivastav [B.Tech]
SOFTWARE ENGINEER (SEO)
AeroSoft Corp
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