Working WITH an airline and the regulator to produce a FANTASTIC new Multi Pilot’s Licence (MPL) course Anthony Petteford
My 5 key points are: 1.To OUTLINE THE MPL for those still unfamiliar with the concept 2.To describe OUR MPL COURSE DESIGN (& a few words of advice!) 3.To dispel a few MPL ‘MYTHS’ 4.To describe an essential initiative to encourage MPL ENROLMENTS 5.To outline OPPORTUNITIES to further improve safety under MPL
1. The MPL concept
... So why MPL? 1.Many accidents are proven to have occurred as a result of poor crew co-ordination and were avoidable 2.Modern MPA require less SPA ‘Stick & Rudder’ experience due to design and advanced automation 3.Traditional courses have extensive solo PIC hours in SPA which serve little value for MPA operations - where decisions are team based 4.Time spent in SPA training would be better spent on more relevant MPA training
PHASE 1CORE SKILLSAIRCRAFT – Single Pilot (SPA) PHASE 2BASICFNPTII MCC SIMULATOR PHASE 3INTERMEDIATESIMULATOR – LEVEL STILL TBD! PHASE 4ADVANCED FULL FLIGHT SIMULATOR & AIRCRAFT – Multi Pilot (MPA) MPL generic design - Competency Based (min 240 hours) PLUS: 1.ATPL Theoretical Knowledge 2.Type Theoretical Knowledge 3.Threat & Error Management (TEM) 4.Interactive ATC Communications
Gaining MPL approval – non generic! 1.MPL application may not be considered unless supported by both an FTO and an airline 2.Application and approval is managed by the FTO only 3.Approval is granted for a specific type of aircraft operated by that airline 4.MPL holders must fly with that airline when licensed 5.MPL status ceases once ATPL achieved
2. Our MPL Course - designed with our UK partner airline
Key MPL design characteristics 1.A training partnership 2.Relevant to Q400 Type 3.Incorporate flybe SOPs 4.MEP element for asymmetric 5.European ATC exposure 6.Price < = traditional ATPL 7.Include € ‘funding support’ 8.SPA reversion ‘Safety Net’
MPL Phase 1 – Core skills in SPA Complex SEP retractable from day 1 58 Hours DUAL training Just 12 hours PIC SOLO MPA SOPs introduced after PIC SOLO hours completed
MPL Phase 1 – Core skills in SPA Complex MEP retractable to introduce asymmetric handling skills Just 5 Hours DUAL training
MPL Phase 1 – Core skills in SPA 5 hours UPSET RECOVERY training Blend of SEP & MEP
MPL Phase 1 – Core skills in SPA 10 Hours FNPTII Simulator Blend of SEP & MEP
MPL Phase 1 – Core skills in SPA Phase Activity DeviceHours 1 SEP Dual TB20 Aircraft58 1 SEP Solo TB20 Aircraft12 1 SEP Dual Upset Zlin 242L Aircraft5 1 MEP Dual PA34 Seneca Aircraft5 1 SEP & MEP Dual FNPTII Simulator10 TOTAL90
Our few words of advice... 1.ATPL theoretical knowledge DOES NOT need to be integrated in synchronicity with core skills training: It is not required by MPL regulations It’s impossible to do! Requires ATPL and core skills training to be co-located Don’t let your regulator tell you otherwise! 2.Less than 70 hours of core skills training may meet with some cynicism... 3.All PIC SOLO flying must still be flown as a single pilot....so caution teaching MPA SOPs too early else you might just obtain some negative learning.....
MPL Phase 2 – Basic MPA & IF Skills
MPL Phase 2 – BASIC MPA & IF skills Phase Activity DeviceHours 1 SEP Dual TB20 Aircraft58 1 SEP Solo TB20 Aircraft12 1 SEP Dual Upset Zlin 242L Aircraft5 1 MEP Dual PA34 Seneca Aircraft5 1 SEP & MEP Dual FNPTII Simulator10 2 MET Dual (PF/PNF) FNPTII MCC Simulator90 TOTAL180
Our few words of advice… 1.The regulations DO PERMIT an FNPTII MCC to be used for this phase 2.The regulations DO NOT LIMIT how many hours you may deliver in this phase …maximize this phase in terms of: Cost efficiencies Capability and availability of instructors 3.CAUTION using an airline TRI to teach basic IFR attitude flying, tracking and holding procedures - may present more challenges than you think 4.‘CONVERT’ your SPA FIs - they will do a good job for you 5.Pick a SUITABLE MPA type – B200 MCC simulators are limiting! 6.Use GENERIC MPA SOPs in this phase
MPL Phases 3 & 4 - type specific MPA Skills Plus Base Training - 12 Landings
MPL Phases 3 & 4 - type specific MPA Skills Phase Activity DeviceHours 1 SEP Dual TB20 Aircraft58 1 SEP Solo TB20 Aircraft12 1 SEP Dual Upset Zlin 242L Aircraft5 1 MEP Dual PA34 Seneca Aircraft5 1 SEP & MEP Dual FNPTII Simulator10 2 MET Dual (PF/PNF) FNPTII MCC Simulator90 3 MET Dual (PF/PNF) Q400 Full Flight Simulator20 4 MET Dual (PF/PNF) Q400 Full Flight Simulator40 TOTAL240
Our few words of advice 1.The regulations DO NOT STIPULATE how many hours must be completed in either of these 2 type specific phases – there is a myth that it must be at least 60 hours per phase 2.Both phases combined must meet type rating minimum hours requirements 3.Complete type specific ground training before commencing phase 3 4.Use airline specific SOPs in both of these phases
ATPL Theory / Type theory / TEM 1.Maximise the use of CBT throughout 2.Deliver the majority of ATPL theory up-front: Cost effective Good indicator of potential performance in flight training 3.Apply TEM lessons throughout 4.Use a Learning Management System 5.Total MPL duration - 60 weeks
3. Some common MPL ‘Myths’
3 routes to become an airline pilot... 1.MPL(A) 2.Integrated ATPL(A) 3.Modular ATPL(A)
The Modular student ‘Benchmark’ 1.ICAO PPL to enter 2.90% ATPL theory by post 3.Multiple FTOs permitted 4.No formal training reporting required 5.Many take years and multiple attempts to just achieve minimum standards!
Myth #1 - ATPL Theoretical Knowledge 1.“ATPL theory training must be INTEGRATED WITH professional flight training to become an effective airline pilot under an MPL training system”
2.“ATPL theory training MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE professional flight training may commence to become an effective airline pilot under a MODULAR training system” Myth #1 - ATPL Theoretical Knowledge
1.“ATPL theory training must be INTEGRATED WITH professional flight training to become an effective airline pilot under an MPL training system” 2.“ATPL theory training MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE professional flight training may commence to become an effective airline pilot under a MODULAR training system” Myth #1 - ATPL Theoretical Knowledge
Myth #2 - Total ‘FTO MANAGED’ hours Modular FTO Managed Training153
Myth #2 - Total ‘FTO MANAGED’ hours ModularMPL FTO Managed Training153240
Myth #3 - Instrument training Modular Dual IF - Aircraft16 Dual IF - SPA Simulator40 Dual IF - MPA Simulator60 TOTAL116
Myth #3 - Instrument training ModularMPL Dual IF - Aircraft1610 Dual IF - SPA Simulator400 Dual IF - MPA Simulator60170 TOTAL116180
Myth #4 - Multi engine training Modular Dual MEP Aircraft22 Dual MEP Simulator40 Dual MET Simulator60 TOTAL122
Myth #4 - Multi engine training ModularMPL Dual MEP Aircraft220 Dual MEP Simulator400 Dual MET Simulator60170 TOTAL122170
Myth #5 - SOLO PIC time Modular PIC Solo - Aircraft12
Myth #5 - SOLO PIC time ModularMPL PIC Solo - Aircraft12
Myth #6 - RELEVANCE of hours Modular Dual - Aircraft81 Dual SPA - Simulator40 Dual MPA - Simulator60 PIC Solo - Aircraft12 ‘Hours building’ - Aircraft100 TOTAL293
Myth #6 - RELEVANCE of hours ModularMPL Dual - Aircraft8158 Dual SPA - Simulator400 Dual MPA - Simulator60170 PIC Solo - Aircraft12 ‘Hours building’ - Aircraft1000 TOTAL293240
4. Encouraging new MPL Enrolments
Why do they need encouragement?
ATPL Integrated SPA ‘Safety Net’ 1.Extra 58 hours PIC 38 hours solo PIC 20 Hours SPIC 2.SEP CPL Training & Test 3.MEP IR Training & Test 4.Extra 108 hours
ATPL Integrated SPA ‘Safety Net’ Phase Activity Device Hours 1 SEP SPIC TB20 Aircraft20 1 SEP PIC Solo TB20 Aircraft38 1 MEP Dual MEP FNPTI Simulator35 1 MEP Dual PA34 Seneca Aircraft15 TOTAL108 Cost €25,000
ATPL Integrated SPA ‘Safety Net’ Phase Activity Device Hours 1 SEP SPIC TB20 Aircraft20 1 SEP PIC Solo TB20 Aircraft38 1 MEP Dual MEP FNPTI Simulator35 1 MEP Dual PA34 Seneca Aircraft15 TOTAL108 Cost €25,000 Funded by either the FTO or Airline
5. Opportunities to modernise
MODERNISE ATPL Theoretical Knowledge
MANDATORY pre-assessment Personality Profiling Capacity & Motor skills
MANDATORY pre-assessment Team Skills Evidence of Team Participation
MANDATORY UPSET RECOVERY training
Message to our Regulators: Mandate these 3 key improvements in MPL regulations and you WILL FURTHER ENHANCE FLIGHT SAFETY as a result!
In summary... 1.MPL has started and must continue 2.MPL will deliver better airline pilots given continuing airline support PLEASE! 3.Don’t allow ‘legacy’ SPA attitudes to prevent further MPL progress 4.Don’t believe everything you are told about MPL – check for yourself! 5.Challenge the regulator to embrace further MPL evolution and MPL will DEFINITELY IMPROVE AIRLINE FLIGHT SAFETY – what more could one ask!
Petteford: 1 Langley: 0