federal aviation administration 0 0 faa/industry training standards (fits) seminar presentation in:...

Federal AviationAdministration 11

FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS) Seminar

Presentation in: Anchorage, AK

Name: Thomas Glista, FAA, FITS Program Manager

Date: September 30, 2006

Federal AviationAdministration


OVERVIEW• What is FITS?

• Why do we need it?

• Who is involved?

• What’s Coming

http://www.faa.gov/education_research/training/fits


“The airport runway is theMost important mainstreamIn any town.”-Norm Crabtree

What is FITS?FITS is a joint government-stakeholder initiative designed to

reduce the total number of general aviation accidents.

This means using scenario-based training to effectively integrate:

Risk Management;

Aeronautical Decision Making;

Situational Awareness; and

Single Pilot Resource Management into

EVERY flight operation!!



FITS Mission Statement and ImperativeFITS Mission Statement:

Improve pilot learning to safely, competently, and efficiently operate a technically advanced piston or light jet aircraft in the modern National Airspace System (NAS).

FITS Imperatives:

Implement training that reduces the human error element and accelerates acquisition of higher-level judgment and decision-making skills.

Bottom Line: Structured way to teach pilot to safely, competently, and efficiently operate aircraft in today’s environment.



Why Do We Need FITS?-History New Technologies produced initial spike in accidents

• Bonanza• Light Twins• Lear Jet• Yankee• Malibu• Cirrus

Main Causal Factor-Pilots not being trained for the technology

Training has not changedin 60 years



Why Do We Need FITS?-Operational Environment Changes

Airspace Changes-ADIZ, TFR, etc. Security Changes-Hassle and delay

factors Airline Changes-Fewer and fuller flights New cockpit and aircraft technologies-

Avidyne FlightMax, Garmin G1000, Adam, Cirrus, Diamond, Eclipse, Lancair

Fractional ownership General Aviation is no longer a monolith- Sport pilot to BBJ

EQUALSGA is being used as a transportation option

But-GA training has not changed in over 60 years



Accident Causal Factors

Fatal Accident Causality is driven by Pilot Related Issues

Major CausePilot

Mechanical/Maintenance

OtherUnknown

___________Total

Percent of Fatal Accidents

73%10%9%8%

___________100%



FAA Flight Plan

• By FY 2009, reduce the number of general aviation and nonscheduled Part 135 fatal accidents to no more than 319.

• By FY 2009, reduce accidents in Alaska for general aviation and all Part 135 operations from the 2000-2002 average of 130 accidents per year to no more than 99 accidents per year

• Target for 2005-No grater than 343• Actual Total for 2005 was 350• Target for 2006-No greater than 337

So far, on target (41 below)

• Alaska 2005-No greater than 130• Total for 2005 was 114• Alaska for 2006-No greater than 115

So far, on target (14 below)



WHAT WE ARE DOING WRONG

Train to pass the test, rather than practical operations in a modernized NAS

Emphasis on training maneuvers, rather than aeronautical decision making/risk management

Insufficient emphasis on use of new flight technologies and procedures (GPS, moving maps, multifunction displays, autopilots) “After you get your certificate, you can learn that stuff”

Long product cycle times for regulations and related products (AC’s) Measured in years– versus short product cycle time for industry-Measured in months or weeks

Obsolete training curricula Inadequate use of new training technologies (Simulation devices)

http://www.faa.gov/education_research/training/fits/


What else is FITS? Voluntary

• Acceptance vs. Approval Incentive based Initiated to address TAAs Tenets apply to all training Real partnership

• JSC-TAA Subgroup It’s working

• Initial Data Does not remove stick and

rudder skills practice



Who is Involved COE/CGAR

• Embry Riddle Aeronautical University• University of North Dakota

Initial Partners• Recip-Cirrus• Turbine-Eclipse

Other Partners• Insurance• Manufacturers• Training Providers• Training Developers• Advocacy Groups• Universities• Pilot and Owners Associations• Fractional



Resources Generic Syllabi Include

• Transition• Recurrent• Instructor• Private/Instrument• Avionics Specific

GPS Multi-Function Displays Integrated Cockpit

Specific Syllabi Include• Adam• Garmin



Resources Documents Include

• FITS Criteria

• DPE Guidance

• Instructor Guide

• Inspector Guide

• Course Developers Guide

• Personal Minimums Checklist

• Personal WX andRisk Assessment Guide

• Levels of FITS

Research/Studies• MTSU Results

• Effectiveness of FITS Training

• Safety Study

• PTS Maneuvers

• SBT to teach SRM



Future Changes Scenario Based Generic Syllabi

• Private• Instrument• Commercial• CFI

Scenario Based PTS Inspector Training Examiner Guidance Examiner Training



Test-RM or ADM error?Or good SRM?



INTRODUCTIONS Professor Michele Summers

• Principal Investigator of FITS• Assistant Professor in the

Aeronautical Science Dept at ERAU• ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI, Advanced

Ground Instructor, FE• over 5000 total flight hours• experience in flight instruction,

cargo, commuter, corporate, and airline operations



QUESTIONS?
