About UPRT

Since the dawn of flight, Loss of Control In-Flight (LOC-I) remains by far the biggest cause of fatal accidents in aviation.

Occasionally a LOC-I event is something that can happen with no warning whatsoever however, in a large majority of cases there is ample warning, and the pilot simply does not recognise the onset, failing to take the appropriate preventative action. Understanding the consequences of inappropriate pilot inputs, “Startle & Surprise”, and undertaking training for events that may call for counter-intuitive control inputs, could make the difference in ensuring survival.

Key commercial airline accidents such as Colgan Flight 3407 and Air France 447 were the drivers for ICAO to develop DOC 10011 which provides a foundation to combat LOC-I through structured Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT). Regulators worldwide have issued guidance material on this subject and mandated training for Air Transport pilots, but NOT for General Aviation. Despite almost every UPRT symposium, workshop and conference identifying the root cause of LOC-I as inadequate abinitio and advanced flight training, the standards of the “Flight Instructor” has not kept up with the changing landscape.

The very first flight training syllabus was developed back in 1917 by Major Robert Smith-Barry (RFC) and when compared to what we teach today the structure remains very similar. Since Robert Smith-Barry prepared his pilots for WW1 we have learnt so much about how aircraft fly, Human Factors, Threat and Error Management and energy management. Why then does LOC-I remain the #1 cause of fatalities in aviation?

The answer requires us to analyze - WHAT are we teaching

and HOW are we delivering pilot training?

Moving Forward

EASA and RAAus are leading the world by developing a syllabus of flight training which will include LOCiPT content to each element of pilot training from Flight #1 – Effects of Controls onward. This commitment to improving the pilots “Primacy” will produce a safer, and more competent pilot.

While a welcome start, publishing training exercises in an approved syllabus will not be enough. Unfortunately, LOC-I accidents with a flight instructor onboard are one of the highest instances of LOC-I, further reinforcing the flaws in HOW we are teaching pilots. Instructors need to be trained not only in LOC-I awareness, prevention, and recovery themselves, but also how to deliver the training safely and effectively.

Some LOC-I exercises
can be performed in an LSA or Normal Category aircraft
but many cannot.