Radek Wyrzykowski Reflects On The Pilot Training Reform
Symposium In Atlanta, GA
Success can be measured in many different ways. When it comes to
the recent and very timely Pilot Training Reform Symposium, I
confess to having mixed feelings about what was achieved. I do need
to start with a sincere thank you to the organizers of this event
and especially SAFE's Chair Doug Stewart. By any measure, making
that event happen was an impressive accomplishment and a giant step
in the right direction - undeniable success. It initiated a
discussion that was long overdue. Statistics from the recent
industry study showing rapidly dropping number of new pilots and
poor quality of education are definite causes for a concern. They
call for a full blown alarm and "declaration of an emergency". The
question however is - did the meeting accomplish what was
needed?
Some people overwhelmed by the euphoria of the right direction
and a success of the event in itself may consider what I am about
to say some sort of an aviation heresy. But any progress and
productive outcomes in history have always been characterized by
vigorous debate. One could say that first - the specific problem
has to be identified and then we can look for a solution. But what
really is the problem? There is no argument that many possible
causes for the problems in GA training were clearly identified at
the Symposium. But in my opinion the core of the General Aviation
sickness lies much deeper than we were willing to admit. The
problem is that our system of developing young professional pilots
forces them to do something many of them aren't interested in doing
- being instructors. To accomplish their goals they have to suffer
until their "time building sentence is over". This has resulted in
a large group of instructors who simply don't teach well but who,
through no fault of their own, were put in that position by a
flawed system. No release of a free Syllabus will make flight
instructors use it. No FAA Advisory Circular is going to create
professionalism among them, especially those that have no desire to
be aviation educators. As long as the "System" requires young
pilots to build hours by becoming CFIs there are distinct steps we
can take to make that system more effective. No one can or should
change a young person's desires and dreams. But we can shape their
behavior and attitudes through better supervision, coaching and
mentoring.
Short term fixes may relieve us of a short term symptoms.
Eliminate a headache, if you will, without the cure of the sickness
itself. In other words only a long term solution that is based on
an assessment of the big picture makes any sense. It is not going
to yield any immediate results but the real fix lays in the results
that may show up in five or even ten years count.
There is only one way that this objective can be accomplished.
We need to institutionalize the role of Career Instructor. In
the words of FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt at the Pilot Training
Reform Symposium: "Education helps develop professionalism …
we can make rules to require certain professional behavior, but
professionalism is a lot more than rule-driven behaviors. It's a
mindset.… It's an attitude that drives you to do the right
thing - every time, all the time (…)"
No reeducation is going to create permanent results. The
creation of the group of Career instructors that will be available
for years to come is our only salvation. So how do we create this
group?
I propose the creation of a National Flight Instructor Academy.
The Academy would be created by a council of the industry and
aviation education leaders and composed of approved independently
participating flight instructors and aviation schools across the
nation. Instructors and schools would become Academy members
by adopting a training syllabus developed by that council and set
to the highest training standards. The Academy would focus on
producing true aviation educators.
I would like to invite to this task all aviation organizations
especially: Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, Society of
Aviation and Flight Educators, National Association of Flight
Instructors, Experimental Aircraft Association, Women in Aviation
and all aviation industry leaders.
Our long term future is in our own hands and does not require
any regulatory change. It is up to us to guide, mentor and demand
the higher standard. If you are willing to participate please
contact me.