GM1 ORO.FC.230(a);(b);(f) Recurrent training and checking
CAA ORS9 Decision No. 32
MIXED EVIDENCE-BASED RECURRENT TRAINING AND CHECKING OF FLIGHT CREW CONDUCTED IN FLIGHT SIMULATION TRAINING DEVICES (FSTDS)
ICAO has developed Doc 9995 ‘Manual of Evidence-based Training’, which is intended to provide guidance to competent authorities, operators and approved training organisations on the recurrent assessment and training of pilots by establishing a new methodology for the development and conduct of a recurrent assessment and training programme, titled evidence-based training (EBT).
ICAO Doc 9995 is the reference document for operators seeking to implement mixed EBT. The purpose of this guidance material (GM) is to enable the implementation of mixed EBT according to the principles established in ICAO Doc 9995.
In the current regulatory framework, it is possible to achieve a mixed EBT implementation. Implementation of a mixed EBT programme means that some portion of the recurrent assessment and training is dedicated to the application of EBT. This includes the licence proficiency check (LPC) and the operator proficiency check (OPC).
As it is possible to combine LPC and OPC in ORO.FC, this GM is applicable to both checks. Therefore, the EBT programme described in this GM refers to the recurrent training and checking of flight crew, including LPCs and OPCs.
The EBT programme takes into account the differences between aircraft of different generations and the effect of these differences on training. The operator should acquire a thorough knowledge of ICAO Doc 9995 before implementing this GM.
Mixed EBT programme
The operator may undertake implementation of the mixed EBT programme according to this GM. The ICAO table of assessment and training topics is defined in ICAO Doc 995 Chapter 4.3.1 and in Appendices 2 to 7; the EBT programme is defined in AMC2 to AMC7 to ORO.FC.232.
The mixed EBT programme provides operators with the flexibility to adapt programmes according to their specific risks.
The operator should contact the CAA in order for them to assess the application of the process described in ICAO Doc 9995.
Personnel providing training and checking in EBT (Refers to AMC1 ORO.FC.230(d))
ICAO Doc 9995 Chapter 6, or AMC1 and AMC2 to ORO.FC.146(c), contains the guidance for the training and assessment of personnel involved in the conduct of EBT.
Equivalency of malfunctions (Refers to ICAO Doc 9995 Paragraph 3.8.3)
According to the concept of ICAO Doc 9995 Chapter 3.8.3, major failures reduce the capability of the aircraft or the ability of the crew to cope with operating conditions to the extent that there would be a significant reduction in functional capabilities, significant increase in crew workload or in conditions impairing crew efficiency.
Clusters of major failures of aircraft systems are determined by reference to malfunction characteristics and the underlying elements of crew performance required to manage them. Equivalency of malfunctions may be used to guide the operator towards the implementation of a mixed EBT programme according to AMC1 ORO.FC.230(a)(4)(i)(A) and ORO.FC.145(d).
Conduct of licence and operator proficiency checks
The EBT programme described in ORO.FC.231 and the ICAO EBT programme described in ICAO Doc 9995 contains modules with three phases: EVAL, the MT and the SBT. In order to comply with the existing regulatory framework, in the mixed EBT programme the LPC and OPC requirements are fulfilled by a combination of the EVAL and the manoeuvres validation phase, which replaces the MT described in the EBT programme and ICAO Doc 9995. The manoeuvres validation phase is defined in Section 2 below. This is a form of mixed EBT implementation, which is described as follows:
1. Evaluation phase: This includes check scenarios referred to in Part-FCL Appendix 9 within an approved mixed EBT programme.
In order to facilitate the provision of simple and realistic scenarios in accordance with ICAO Doc 9995 Chapters 3.8 and 7.4, the EVAL is not intended to be a comprehensive assessment of all Part-FCL Appendix 9 items; nevertheless, the list below includes the items that should be included in the EVAL only.
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Part-FCL or Part-ORO reference |
Description |
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Part-FCL Appendix 9 Paragraph 6 |
The examiner may choose between different skill test or proficiency check scenarios containing simulated relevant operations developed and approved by the CAA. Full-flight simulators and other training devices, when available, shall be used, as established in this Part. |
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Part-FCL Appendix 9 Paragraph 16 of section B |
The test/check should be accomplished under instrument flight rules (IFRs), if instrument rating (IR) is included, and as far as possible be accomplished in a simulated commercial air transport environment. An essential element to be checked is the ability to plan and conduct the flight from routine briefing material. |
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Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 1.4 |
Use of checklist prior to starting engines, starting procedures, radio and navigation equipment check, selection and setting of navigation and communication frequencies. |
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Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 1.6 |
Before take-off checks. |
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Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 3.8.1* |
Adherence to departure and arrival routes and ATC instructions. The starred item (*) shall be flown solely by reference to instruments. If this condition is not met during the skill test or proficiency check, the type rating will be restricted to VFR only. |
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Part-FCL Appendix 9 Paragraph 2 of section C | In case of proficiency check for an IR, the applicant shall pass section 5 of the proficiency check. Failure in more than three items will require the applicant to take the entire section 5 again. An applicant failing not more than three items shall take the failed items again. Failure in any item of the re-check or failure in any other items of section 5 already passed will require the applicant to take the entire check again. | |
| Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 1.3 | Starting procedures, radio and navigation equipment check, selection and setting of navigation and communication frequencies | ||
| Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 1.4 | Taxiing/air taxiing in compliance with air traffic control instructions or with instructions of an instructor | ||
| Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 1.5 | Pre-take-off procedures and checks | ||
| Part-FCL Appendix 9 Item 5.2* |
Adherence to departure and arrival routes and ATC instructions The starred item (*) shall be flown solely by reference to instruments. If this condition is not met during the skill test or proficiency check, the type rating will be restricted to VFR only. |
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2. Manoeuvres validation phase: The purpose of the manoeuvres validation phase is to check the handling skills necessary to fly critical flight manoeuvres so that they are maintained to a defined level of proficiency. This replaces the MT described in ICAO Doc 9995 Chapter 7.5 and ORO.FC.231(a)(2)(iv)(B)(a). Manoeuvres in this context are not part of line-oriented flight scenario; they are a sequence of deliberate actions to achieve a prescribed flight path or to perform a prescribed event to a prescribed outcome. All remaining items listed in Part-FCL Appendix 9, and not included in the EVAL, should be included here. The manoeuvres listed in Doc 9995 or the table of assessment and training topics for the MT that do not form part of the Part-FCL Appendix 9 mandatory items may be trained after the manoeuvres validation phase.
3. Scenario-based training phase: The purpose of the SBT is to further develop pilot core competencies in a learning environment. This does not form part of any LPC or OPC requirement.
It should be noted that if the operator is following an alternative means of compliance to ORO.FC.230(b) operator proficiency check, the equivalence of using EBT evaluation and manoeuvres validation phases may no longer exist.
Conduct of CRM assessment
The operator is advised to use the EBT grading system (AMC1 ORO.FC.231(d)(1)) and the EBT competencies (AMC1 ORO.FC.231(b)) for the non-technical skills assessment.
Additional guidance on mixed EBT implementation is available in the EASA checklist ‘Oversight guidance for transition to Mixed EBT Implementation’.