FAA re-introduces controller training program
Washington – The Federal Aviation Administration recently re-launched a volunteer education program that places air traffic controllers in cockpits with commercial pilots.
The Flight Deck Training program replaces the Familiarization Training program, which was suspended in 2001. It is intended to improve safety by giving controllers a firsthand understanding of pilots’ experiences and workload, according to an FAA press release.
While in the cockpit, controllers will have to complete a series of training objectives as he or she observes the flight crew, including pre-flight aircraft preparation procedures, taxi instructions, types of approaches, and en route weather and flow constraints.
The program is in the pilot phase; FAA intends to monitor and evaluate it over the next six months.
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