CASA Media Release - 9 July 1999
Australia sets world first in pilot training
Australia is about to set a world first in the training of pilots.
A new national flying training syllabus is being introduced based on clearly defined standards for all private and commercial pilots.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has developed the new pilot training standards in close consultation with the aviation industry.
People learning to fly will be assessed against detailed objective and measurable criteria set out in a 152 page syllabus.
CASA's Director of Aviation Safety, Mick Toller, says the new syllabus will mean Australia's pilots will be trained to one clear set of competency based standards.
Mr Toller says there will no longer be any room for the interpretation of pilot training standards by individual flying instructors or testers.
"Australia is the first country in the world to set down pilot training standards in writing in a simple and clear fashion based on a group of core competencies," Mr Toller says.
"The syllabus will ensure that students, instructors and testing officers will have all the information they need to determine safe pilot standards.
"This means that all new pilots in Australia will have the same high level of skills - a real boost for aviation safety.
"If pilots maintain their training standards Australia will build on its already strong flying safety record and our pilots will be among the best in the world.
"The International Civil Aviation Organisation has just launched a study into competency standards for pilots, so Australia has really stolen a march on the rest of the world."
The new pilot training syllabus has initially been developed for students learning to fly by visual flight rules, for both private and commercial licences. The competency based training will be extended to helicopter and instrument flight rules pilot training as well as flying instructors.
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
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Ref: ME9934PR