Hands On Refresher Course

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The low cost alternative to keeping manual skills sharp.

Most airline piloting is done via automated systems that pilots closely monitor.  Pilots use manual flying skills only briefly during takeoffs and landings.  Studies and accident investigations raised concerns that manual flying skills are getting rusty and that pilots have a difficult time staying focused on instruments for long periods.

Transportation Department’s Office of Inspector General found that five of 19 airline flight simulator training programs reviewed by investigators specifically mentioned pilot hand flying skills.  

In 2013, the FAA issued a safety alert to airlines encouraging them to promote opportunities for pilots to practice manual flying in day-to-day operations and during pilot training.

​The FAA published these new rules in 2013 requiring airlines to update their training programs to enhance manual flying skills.  Airlines aren’t required to comply with the rules until sometime in 2019.

As automation increases, pilots have fewer opportunities to use manual flying skills. Industry studies and committees have found that pilots who don’t get to use their manual flying skills may not be prepared to handle unexpected events. 
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Clay Foushee, the FAA’s director of audits and evaluations, said in comments submitted to the inspector general that the FAA is concerned about “an overreliance on automation and the importance of training pilots to handle unexpected events and manually fly an aircraft.”
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He said the FAA agrees with a recommendation about developing standards to determine whether pilots have enough opportunities to practice manual flying skills.

Our Professional Pilot Refresher Course gives aviators an opportunity to freshen up those hands on skills.  Focusing on Angle of Attack and stabilized approaches.  

For more information, please inquire.

Contact us for a custom proposal designed for your flight crews.

With excellent crosswind training grounds an active airspace, and advanced avionics similar to your fleet, including flight director, our program is designed to give your pilots hands on flying scenarios at the same airspeed envelope as large transport category aircraft.  Approaches can be flown up to 180 knots.  

Enhance skills.  Enhance safety.  Enhance Value.