More Simulator Hours For Pilots Mandated, Training Program To Be Evaluated

Pilots flying for Asiana Airlines will be required to get more time in a simulator preparing for landings at airports without precision approaches, according to an internal e-mail. It will also conduct an independent review of its safety standards and training procedures.

Bloomberg Businessweek reports that, in interviews with Asiana pilots and trainers following the San Francisco accident, it was revealed that pilots were extensively trained on automatic landing systems, but rarely hand-flew their approaches. The Asiana 777 which struck a seawall at San Francisco resulting in three fatal injuries was on a visual approach. The glideslope at KSFO was inoperative due to construction at the airport.

The co-pilot of the airplane reportedly had only 43 hours in type, and several of those had come during the flight from Korea to San Francisco. NTSB Chair Deborah Hersman said in briefings following the accident that there was no indication that the airplane's automated systems had failed.

Cass Howell, associate dean of the college of aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, told Bloomberg Businessweek that long-distance pilots can benefit from additional takeoff and landing practice. He said high-time pilots may log only a few takeoffs and landings each year, but still spend a lot of time in the cockpit.

Industry consultant G.W. "Bo" Corby, a former commercial pilot, said "the solution may be to refocus training" rather than just to boost the number of training hours.

FMI: www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/ifim/country_info/PDF/KR.pdf