Participants found differences in training quality and skill outcomes across the recreational aviation sector. They raised concerns about variations in training standards and aircraft handling skills.
Participants also discussed skill fade over time, particularly for pilots who fly infrequently. They found aircraft handling, energy management and flying different aircraft types as ongoing challenges.
Other concerns included limited spin recovery training and pilots unintentionally flying into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC).
What you can do
Training organisations and instructors can improve competency by:
- using consistent training and assessment standards
- reinforcing manual flying skills alongside the use of technology
- conducting regular flight reviews and recurrent training
- teaching practical weather risk management and decision-making
- reinforcing energy management skills across different aircraft types
- encouraging post-flight debriefs and discussions
- supporting instructor standardisation and peer review.
Training can help pilots prepare for crosswinds, busy radio environments, distractions and deteriorating weather. Pilots should also take care when moving to different aircraft types.
What we have done
We work with Recreational Aviation Australia (RAAus) and other Approved Self-administering Aviation Organisations (ASAOs) to support training quality and pilot competency.
Current activities include:
- supporting training standards through surveillance and industry engagement
- promoting practical flight safety education through webinars and safety campaigns
- encouraging the use of human factors and threat and error management principles in training
- monitoring occurrence trends related to training and loss of control events
- promoting safe weather decision-making and aircraft handling skills.
More information is available through the pilot safety hub.