Industry studies show that:
or more of the cadet pilots who have graduated from Ab Initio training programs and hold certificates (licenses) issued by their respective Civil Aviation Authorities (FAA and others) are NOT well-prepared to enter airline courses that qualify them to serve as Line Pilots for their employers.
That 11% drop-out rate is a significant
drain on an operator’s ability to staff it’s flights
for
route expansion and a contributing factor in the global pilot shortage.
Over time, airline training “footprints” (course timelines and costs) have significantly increased. When one or more cadet pilots require additional training to qualify for line service, it can significantly disrupt one or more days' flying schedules.
However, if a significant number in the class of New Hire pilots requires additional
training to qualify for line service, the company's plans for route and schedule
expansion may be disrupted at significant cost and customer distress.
PABC testing is an investment in air operator success. Check out PABC test cost to determine your ROI.
The line training cost to airlines when a pilot fails (depending on when the failure occurs)
The cost of losing a pilot during the early phases of training is modest. If it occurs just before the pilot starts Initial Operating Experience (IOE), the cost will be approximately $20,000 (USD). But, if the pilot drops-out later, during the IOE process, research shows the average cost to be $45,000.
PABC testing can reduce air operators' new hire training footprint -- in terms of both training duration and training costs. How?
By identifying knowledge gaps in each class early in pilot training, PABC testing helps instructors be aware of weak topics that need additional emphasis. When those weak areas are addressed throughout regular training and when pilot comprehension is improved, training effectiveness increases and the need for subsequent training is reduced. There's also less likelihood of delay in the execution of course modules.
David Learmount's article on Flightglobal.com features the research of Captain Andy O'Shea, Head of Pilot Training for Ryanair, the largest regional carrier in Europe. In 2016, Capt. O'Shea identified two main areas of concern regarding training managers and instructors:
Dr. Guy Smith's 2018 Pilot Source Study of 9,700 pilots at 5 regional airlines shows that 11% failed to complete airline training and 45% required extra training.
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