Category Archives: Training

Training

Groups express concern to FAA over changes to knowledge test questions

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The National Association of Flight Instructors and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association have  asked the FAA to clarify or rescind apparent changes to airman knowledge test-bank questions that the agency made without notifying industry stakeholders.

FAA Knowledge Test cubicle setupThe request comes after an unusually high numbers of pilot-applicant failures in recent weeks.  Some testing centers recorded quadruple the failure rate, as compared to before the changes.

“We learned last week that the FAA’s Airman Testing Standards Branch recently implemented changes to the banks of questions the agency uses to compile knowledge tests for pilot candidates,” said NAFI Executive Director Jason Blair. “These include the airline transport pilot, flight engineer, and fundamentals of instruction tests—and possibly more—and they involved significant revisions to test-bank questions.” Continue reading →

Popularity: 22%

Model code of conduct issued for flight instructors

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Illustration of CFI teaching flight student, from Aviation Instructor's Handbook -- FAAThe permanent editorial board that oversees the work of the Aviators Model Code of Conduct has released its newest model code, for flight instructors.

“Developed by a team of aviation professionals and drawing upon decades of research and experience, the Code recommends operating practices designed to improve the quality of flight instruction and the safety of flight training operations,” the organization said in an April 18 news release.

The seven sections of the code cover topics including general responsibilities of instructors; students, passengers, and people on the surface; training and proficiency; security; environmental issues; technology; and advancement and promotion of aviation instruction.

Continue reading →

Popularity: 14%

Do you really know when to stop moving on an airport?

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The  Aviator Alert Bulletin from the Phoenix Deer Valley Air Traffic Control Tower offers some excellent tips and information  on taxi-clearance requirements, holding short of a runway, and use of that pesky phrase “Roger” and what it really means.

DVT Tower’s Rob Smuda says the Aviator Alert is not a regular publication. Rather, it was distributed after a recent review of pilot deviation causal factors. Jim McMahon, the new DVT Air Traffic Manager is committed to keeping the aviation community informed on issues through various forums and attendance at user meetings.

Plus, find some timely excerpts from the AIM confronting pilots and flight instructors in the current airport operations environment.

PDF icon Link » (PDF, requires the free Adobe Reader.)

The Aviator Alert Bulletin appears as feature of the Deer Valley Pilots’ Association website at dvtpilots.com. Check it out!

Popularity: 27%

FAA Notice – Change CGZ Communication Procedures

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As discussed in at our last meeting. The FAA does not agree with our previously published CGZ GPS approach instructions. I received a certified letter from them today.  In general this has to do with when to be on CTAF and when to be on the Practice Area frequency 122.85.

I’ve removed our recommendation at the request of the FAA. However, I have great concern on this topic. I’m concerned on what people are ACTUALLY doing. As we discussed, this area needs to be COMPLETELY evaluated for REAL world safety concerns. I’ve invited the FSDO to our next meeting, they have not yet accepted.

I’ve attached their letter here for your review and comments. I believe an open and honest conversation on this topic is warranted.

FAA Practice Area Notice

Popularity: 57%

Selected NTSB Reports

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This section includes links to selected NTSB accident reports that present clear examples that can easily be used to create training scenarios.

Keep in mind that these are not necessarily reports about “stupid pilots.” Typically they involve very intelligent pilots who made some stupid mistakes. We need to remember that we are all susceptible to similar mistakes and we need to do our best to learn from what they did wrong.

So is flying safe? It is when we actively work to manage the inherent risks. Click HERE to learn more (PDF, requires the free Adobe Reader).

Selected Reports (sorted by NTSB identifaction number)

Recommend additional NTSB reports by emailing webmaster@aftw.org (please include the official NTSB identification number).

Popularity: 5%

Training Introduction

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This category provides training techniques and scenarios to improve flight training and thereby achieve the AFTW’s goal of reducing accidents, incidents, and pilot deviations. The FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS) philosophy incorporates the concept of teaching and evaluating with scenarios. Since every pilot is different, the flight instructor must create an individualized scenario that “fits” the student’s needs. This is what FITS is all about. Here we provide example scenarios that can effectively be used in flight training.

We have organized this section into four categories: Teaching Tips, Ground Scenarios, Flight Scenarios, and Selected NTSB Reports.

We ask that you help improve this resource by submitting your own training tips and scenarios so that others can benefit from your experience.

Popularity: 5%