Modifying Standards to Meet Professional Pilot Training

NeedsR. Kurt Barnhart, Ph.D. President,

University Aviation Association

University Aviation Association

• Composed of over 500 institutional, corporate, professional, and student members.

• Approximately 100 collegiate aviation departments/programs are represented in the institutional category.

• Informally surveyed entire membership leading up to this conference.

Problems Identified by members with current GA Flight Training

process• Too much focus on unrelated tasks- both

knowledge and practical tests.• Too much focus on rote memorization for

knowledge tests• Students placed in aircraft prior to

conceptual understanding of the mechanics behind flight training (hard to address through standards).

• Current standards require too little of applicants

Problems ctn.

• Students report passing knowledge tests with little or no conceptual understanding behind questions.

• Recent FAA changes to the FOI have made things worse- increased reliance on rote memory.

• Current standards do not focus enough on judgment/decision making which is the foundation of aviation safety.

Problems ctn.

• No significant part 61 CFI quality control (most frequent response)- renewal is virtually automatic.

• No requirement to periodically demonstrate practical skill proficiency (i.e. FAR 121- PC)

• No oral test standardization- certain maneuvers should always be demonstrated

• We are too afraid to let people fail• Too little CFI accountability

Recommendations

• Require a portion of CFI test to be conducted on a simulator so maneuvers could be paused, easily repeated, and printed.

• Require periodic pilot and CFI oral and practical tests for part 61/91 operations ( i.e. every 2 years- standardization or compliance rides).

• Out of 90 day currency? must fly with CFI.• Require an e-portfolio (video presentations,

articles, reports, etc.) for initial CFI applicants where the examiner could observe teaching ability in advance and focus on weak areas during test.

Flip-side of recommendations:

• What will this do to the already beleaguered CFI ranks?

• What incentives could counteract this?– Pay?– Status?– Privileges (i.e. jump seat)?

Thank You!