Originally Posted by
KC10 FATboy
I'm coming to this thread late ... 33 pages late. haha
Anyways, if we truly want to fix this profession, we need to pass legislation that creates legitmate education, training and check programs so to create a "barrier to entry" into the profession. This would ensure only the truly qualified would enter the airline pilot career field.
Many nations will not accept an FAA ATPL because its too easy to just study the test, have a buddy check you, and/or pencil whip your flying experience.
It would be nice if our country imposed a college degree requirement (or something similar) in aviation for airline pilots. That degree would be composed of classroom courses in the following; Meterology, Aviation Law, Aircraft Systems Engineering, Human Factors, Physiology, FARs, Flight Planning, Performance / Obstacle Planning / Load Planning, Passenger / Cargo Handling, Communications / Life Support Training, Flight Operations, Security Procedures, and associated collaberative courses in Math, Physics, and English.
Flight training requirements ... single and multi engine (taxi, takeoff, landings, instrument depature/cruise/arrival/landing, holding, approach to stalls, vertical S, steep turns, RNAV, ILS, LOC, NDB or RMI only, VOR, VISUAL, SE approach and landing, traffic pattern, etc)
Flight training device requirements; SWAP, windshear, GPWS, CAT II, CAT III, PRM, stall recognition and recovery, unusual attitude recognition and recovery, V1 cuts, Vmca recovery, high altitude flight (takeoff, climb, cruise, arrival, landing), mountainous terrain, abnormal/emergency training, slow flight (back side of the power curve),
In addition to the degree, graduates will have to work as an apprentice at companies that have an approved FAA apprentice program and/or accept jobs that aren't flying passengers or HAZMAT.
The program will be designed as train to proficiency, but with limits. No longer will your cash pay off some instructor or eventually get you within limits.
Additionally, after posessing an airline pilot certificate, airline pilots will have to undergo computer based refresher training (CBT) every other year. Additionally, as deficiencies are noted in linechecks and/or amplification training as the result of an accident or newly created procedures, airline pilots may have complete time-phased CBTs or they will lose currency.
Finally, all airline pilots currently in the system will be grandfathered but will have to complete a series of knowledge CBTs. Military pilots will also have military transition to civilian training courses, flight training device training, and testing before they are issued an airline certificate.
I know, I'm dreaming. Let the flaming begin...