Remote Pilot candidate screening. Pre-COMPASS makes it possible

Pre-COMPASS : Remote pilot screening

The recently launched Pre-COMPASS pilot prescreening tool allows airlines and FTO’s to remotely screen preselect candidate aviation pilots.

Pre-COMPASS screens and tests the suitability of both ab initio and experienced pilot candidates through a completely internet based testing tool that can be used from the candidate’s home computer.

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Logo MPL Simulator Solutions next to logo Aviation Focus

MPL Simulator Solutions announces name change to AviationFocus

Over the last years MPL Simulator Solutions has diversified further into other areas of aviation pilot selection and pilot training.

In response to this, MPL Simulator Solutions has changed its name to Aviation Focus, launched a new website and introduced a new corporate identity.

Aviation Focus serves the aviation market in Asia and offers a range of services specific to Aviation pilot training and pilot selection.

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The decay of manual flight skills

As presented at the APATS conference this year there is a global concern regarding the decay of manual flight skills on today’s highly automated flight decks and how this affects flight safety.

Of particular note was the observation that this decay was, mostly, independent of flying experience, and that steps should be taken at initial and recurrent pilot training to establish and maintain these skills.

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The Quantum gap between flight schools and airlines

Airlines need pilots who are Jet experienced and ready for type rating and line training, the reality is that many pilots graduate from flight school without sufficient Jet experience.

This often becomes apparent during line training and causes training delays and added costs.

Jet Type Rating courses are adapted from manufacturer-designed courses, which are, in turn, concentrated enough in content to favour pilots whose previous airline experience has allowed them to develop the speed and workflow patterns (motor programs) central to airline operation. Continue reading

APATS 2013 Bangkok: Capt. (ret.) John Bent ICAO on the imminent pilot shortage and its effects

APATS 2013 brought an interesting set of presentations. In this series, we will summarize the most notable presentations from the perspective of the state of aviation training in Asia.

In the first installment, we review Capt. (ret.) John Bent’s (ICAO) presentation concerning the imminent pilot shortage: APATS 2013 Bangkok: The imminent Pilot shortage – Capt. (ret) John Bent – ICAO Capt. (ret) John Bent, gave a presentation on the imminent pilot shortages, especially in Asia. Although Capt. Bent clearly stated that projections are only projections and can be thwarted by unexpected events, his conclusions were enough to sound ‘a gentle wake-up call’.

Below a summary of the key points: Continue reading

Is motion in flight simulators effective in pilot training?

Is motion in flight simulators effective in pilot training? Full motion flight simulators (FFS) are much more expensive than fixed base flight simulators (FBS). Many smaller airlines and many flight training organizations (FTO’s) do not have the means to invest in a Full Flight Simulator.

The development of enhanced visual systems and motion cueing on fixed base flight simulators have triggered several studies to see what effects full motion flight simulators have in different stages of pilot training. Continue reading

MPS Airbus A320 Simulator obtains EASA FTD Level 1 approval

The MPS A320 Simulator has obtained EASA FTD Level 1 approval (European Aviation Safety Agency), having previously gained FNPTII/MCC certification in May. EASA is responsible for certifying all types of flight training devices in Europe.

The MPS A320 Simulator is a type specific FBS and features a full cockpit that is an exact replica of the A320 cockpit. The visual is a collimated, 200×40 degree wrap around Level D system and all moving flight controls have calibrated A320 control loading (force feedback). Continue reading

Second MPS B737 FBS (Fixed Base Simulator) installed at Sim Rent in Amsterdam

The first installed MPS Boeing 737-800 NG simulator in Amsterdam The Netherlands, is now accompanied by a second MPS Boeing 737-800 NG simulator.

Sim Rent opened their operation in May 2012 when they received their first MPS simulator. Both simulators are an exact copy of the B737-800 NG flight deck with all the switches and flight controls being operational. Due to the high level of JAA certification, both simulators can be used for various types of training including Type Rating training. Continue reading