ABSTRACT FOR
FedEx Loss of Control Training Study
By Lou Knotts, Calspan
This talk discussed the recent study conducted by Calspan for FedEx to explore how to implement loss of control training into the FedEx training program. The loss of control accident problem in the transport community was first discussed as well as methods that the industry has tried to deal with this problem. In the case of FedEx their approach was to determine what they should be teaching using various training devices available to them. They first evaluated the accuracy and relevance of various training events that could be performed in the full flight simulator (FFS, or ground simulator). They then conducted a methodical study in which 3 stages of training were provided to a sample of their line pilot community. This training consisted of class room instruction, followed by the pre-screened accurate and relevant training events in the full flight simulator, and then airborne training using the Calspan in-flight simulator Learjet. Check sims were given to these pilots in the FFS as a baseline before any training and then again after each stage of their training. The impact of the various stages of this training was then evaluated in order to determine how much of their learning was obtained from each aspect of the training. The goal of this study was to determine the most cost effective way to obtain the best training value. The results of this study was explored for two aspects of loss of control. One of these was the ability to recover from unusual attitudes. This is the most commonly thought of type of loss of control training. The second aspect of loss of control training and probably the most significant is the pilot’s ability to cover from events in which the aircraft does not respond in a normal manner due to changes in the airframe (such as icing or damage) or malfunctions of the control system (such as failed or stuck control surfaces or software errors). Several observations were made regarding the relative value of the different aspects of upset training and types of maneuvers that should not be performed in the FFS.