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PROFESSIONAL UPSET RECOVERY TRAINING
The Case for Upset Recovery Training
Loss of Control in Flight is now the leading cause of airliner fatalities worldwide. In 2009, it was responsible for about one third of all hull losses. The causes have ranged from human error, systems malfunctions and environmental conditions. The training of pilots to cope with Upset Recovery events is now the primary focus of national authorities and flight safety bodies.
Mitigating the risks from such events is down to the pilots' ability to recognise, avoid and recover from upset situations. The ultimate safety of the aeroplane will be determined by the preparedness and training of pilots.
Findings
International studies are currently in progress and some of these findings to date are as follows:
- Knowledge and skills of the majority of current airline pilots are inadequate to prepare for Loss of Control events.
- There is a general lack of academic knowledge in upset recovery aerodynamics and the related effects of flight controls amongst airline pilots. This deficiency is deemed to be sufficiently serious such as to impair the capability to recognize and recover from upset events.
The Academic Course
The Academic Course will be conducted over the course of one full day in a modern suite.
Objectives
The objectives of the courses are clearly defined and the following strategy is explained:
- Recognition.
- Understanding of Associated Principles.
- Recovery Strategy.
Statistics and Case Studies
The overall and worldwide problem is discussed and examinations of recent and relevant case studies are presented.
Causes of Airline Upsets
The major causes of upset recoveries are considered. Environmentally induced upsets may result from the following: windshear, mechanical and wake turbulence, thunderstorms, microbursts, mountain waves, icing etc. High profile attention has been devoted to auto-flight and pilot system issues recently; these and other system anomalies will be studied. Additionally, there are pilot induced upsets from various causes including disorientation. Many situations are not simply categorised and combined causes will also be viewed with the aim of arming the pilot with improved skills of recognition.
Fundamentals of Conventional and High-Speed / High Altitude Aerodynamics for Professional (Airline and Corporate) Pilots
We begin with fundamental principles, laws and definitions. The Flight Envelope is discussed extensively. A great deal of emphasis is also given to the Angle of Attack and Flight path Vector. This leads into a re-examination of Effects of Controls and studies of various stabilities (static, dynamic, manoeuvre and speed). We then venture into manoeuvre, control and turning performance. Other relevant issues are given detailed scrutiny, such as weight and balance, Mach effects and other edge-of-envelope effects.
Upset Recovery Techniques
Starting with human factors such as awareness, startle effects and "g" forces in order to understand our limitations, we then look at the more likely scenarios that can result from engine failures, and then a detailed look at the stall and the reason for Airbus and Boeing recently changing their stall recovery techniques. After this, we investigate a range of scenarios at various pitch and bank attitudes throughout the speed range of the aeroplane. Conditions of sideslip are also studied.
Upset Recovery Training in an Aerobatic Aeroplane
A minimum of 3 x 45 min sorties, over the course of 2 days, will be conducted in two-seater high performance aerobatic aeroplanes in accordance with the techniques outlined in the academic training. These techniques will be thoroughly briefed and debriefed before every sortie. The aircraft will be of an equivalent standard to the German Extra 300L or American Pitts S-2C machines.
A consistent recovery strategy is emphasised throughout. The aim of the flight exercises is to familiarise the pilot with unusual attitudes and "g" forces to eliminate any "Startle Effects" and to train recovery techniques utilising Angle of Attack, Lift Vector and Flight Path Angle principles that are readily transferrable and appropriate to a jet airliner.
The aim of this part of the course is to become familiar with the recovery strategy and the techniques of manoeuvre in order to achieve it in a wide variety of circumstances. Thus we can use such a machine to accomplish Objectives 1, 2 and 3 of the course.
Upset Recovery Training in Level-D Flight Simulator
The Full Flight Simulator phase of the course is optional but recommended and will occupy one additional day after the academic training.
There are limitations of simulation stipulated by the aircraft manufacturers which arise from limits of available data from testing programmes. Training in the FFS is therefore geared to the approach and recognition of various upset events. This is achieved through carefully constructed scenarios in accordance with recommendations from the FAA, Airbus and Boeing.
In this way, useful training can be achieved to accomplish Objectives 1 and 2 of the course.
For questions or to make a booking please contact Marie-Louise Audet.
