NPA 2015-13

Loss of control prevention and recovery training

This Notice of Proposed Amendment (NPA) addresses a safety and regulatory coordination issue related to aeroplane Loss of Control In-flight (LOCI). The following initiatives are linked to this NPA: various accident Safety Recommendations; European Aviation Safety Plan (EASp) safety actions and amended International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and recommended practices. This NPA proposes to integrate so-called upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) requirements and provisions into the EU pilot training regulatory framework. An aeroplane upset is a condition whereby an aeroplane unintentionally exceeds the flight parameters experienced during normal flight. Upsets which are not timely corrected are likely to lead to Loss of Control In-flight (LOCI). The proposed training requirements aim to provide pilots with competencies to prevent upsets or to recover from developed upsets. As a result from taking a risk based approach to develop regulations, the main focus of the new training standards is on pilots who intend to pursue a pilot career with a commercial airline. Such pilots would likely complete either an aeroplane Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL(A)) or a Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) integrated course, followed by a type rating on a multi-pilot aeroplane. The proposed pilot training aims to deliver enhanced pilot competencies through additional upset prevention and upset recovery related theoretical knowledge (TK) and flight instruction. Nevertheless, upset prevention training is also to be integrated into existing flight syllabi for other aeroplane licence training courses, such as for the Light Aircraft Pilot Licence (LAPL(A)), Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)) and Commercial Pilot Licence CPL(A). The provisions for the LAPL(A) and PPL(A) training courses mostly related to the General Aviation community are lighter and thus more proportionate when compared to the CPL(A) and ATPL(A) training courses. The newly developed upset recovery training in an aeroplane, which is to be mandated for the ATPL(A) training course and also serve as a pre-requisite prior to commencing the first multi-pilot type rating course, is seen as an important step towards enhancing a commercial pilot’s resilience to the psychological and physiological aspects often associated with upset conditions, and towards providing them with an enhanced ability to not only overcome these human factor aspects, but to also apply appropriate recovery strategies to return the aeroplane to safe flight. In support of the new standards, the proposals place greater emphasis on the flight and Flight Simulator Training Device (FSTD) instructors who are foreseen to deliver the various UPRT elements. New instructor privileges are proposed for the upset recovery training course in an aeroplane. In addition, FSTD instructor training standards are to be increased, notably for those instructors that deliver upset recovery training in existing Full Flight Simulators (FFSs), to ensure that negative transfer of training is avoided.

The proposal also introduces further supporting amendments, such as guidance for NAA inspectors, and is expected to increase safety and ensure harmonisation with ICAO. The foreseen entry into force date of the proposed requirements and provisions is April 2018.