Page 25 - 2017-Issue2

LOC-I SYMPOSIUM 26

ChALPA Hosted Event Highlights

Training as Key to Prevention of

Loss of Control In-Flight

On 16 March 2017, delegates from around The proper structure of such training A key point in several of the presentations was
the world assembled in Shanghai to attend a programs was emphasised. The Symposium’s that the training needed to be in addition to
safety symposium dedicated to addressing Loss presenters noted that the programs needed to basic flying skills and not conducted as an
of Control In-flight (LOC-I). This symposium, include academic instruction during which evaluation manoeuvre on a check ride.
the first hosted by the China Airline Pilots’ flight crews would build the foundational Training for instructors was also noted as a
Association (ChALPA), was set in the context knowledge of Upset Prevention and Recovery key element for the success of a UPRT training
of an industry experiencing rapid and Training (UPRT) concepts. Pilots would later program. Instructors need to have received
sustained growth. In 2016 alone, Chinese use these concepts to form the basis of their specialised UPRT instructor training to be able
operators received deliveries of 330 new situational awareness and to develop the skills to understand the capabilities and limitations
aircraft while the domestic industry grew by required to properly recognise and react to of the flight simulation training device (FSTD),
11.7 percent over the previous year, according upsets. in order to avoid negative transfer of training.
to statistics from IATA. Chinese pilots, Multiple presenters noted the need to focus In addition, the FSTDs used needed to meet
together with regulators and operators, are on upset recognition in the training program latest industry standards so that they would
conscious of the need to remain vigilant to to equip pilots with the skills to recognise provide proper cues to pilots. It was
maintain the strong safety performance in the conditions that could lead to an upset. In this emphasised that the FSTDs needed to be used
region. context, the traditional “put your head down” up to, but not beyond, their limitations.
Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I), a type of while the instructor placed the simulator into In addition to training, the symposium
accident resulting from large, uncorrected an upset condition was discouraged since it heard presentations on the role of fatigue, lack
deviations from the intended flight path, is missed the primary purpose to focus on of manual handling skills and organisational
recognised by ICAO as a high risk accident prevention or recognition. In addition, it was factors as other contributing factors to LOC-I
category due to the fact that it contributes to a noted that the training needed to be conducted accidents that required attention.
large proportion of aviation-related fatalities. in a variety of visual reference conditions Together, the fifteen presenters provided a
This point was highlighted by IFALPA including visual and instrument meteorologi- well-rounded perspective on what is often a
President Captain Ron Abel in his opening cal conditions (VMC/IMC) both during the very complex topic. The symposium solidified
remarks where he presented the role of day and night. Finally, the crew interactions ChALPA’s role as an expert group in a region
IFALPA in improving global aviation safety. needed to be trained for the pilot monitoring where the pilots’ perspective will be of
Captain Dave Newbery from the IFALPA to vocalise divergence from the intended flight increasing importance as critical safety and
Human Performance (HUPER) Committee path as a component of the recognition. efficiency decisions are made to safely
built on this with a presentation of IFALPA’s When conducting the training, the accommodate rapid growth.
Position on the need for training to prevent presenters agreed that the scenarios need to be
LOC-I accidents. realistic and include an element of startle or
The other presenters provided numerous surprise. The purpose of which is to allow To learn more about LOC-I ,
examples of LOC-I accidents around the world pilots to practice upset prevention and please consult:
and emphasised the need to address the recovery skills in unexpected and potentially
contributing factors. There was a general alarming contexts. IFALPA Position Paper 15POS19
consensus among the presenters that training The emphasis of this training needed to be Loss of Control In-flight
flight crews in upset prevention and recovery on recognising the development or onset of an
throughout their career was a primary upset and providing early intervention to READ HERE
mitigation strategy for LOC-I. return the aircraft to the intended flight path.

InterPilot | The Safety and Technical Journal of IFALPA ISSUE 2 | 2017