Training for success

RAAus has developed a revised focus on training initiatives for our members in 2020 and we are delivering these on a number of fronts in flight training, safety initiatives and airworthiness and maintenance programs. Of course training has always been one of the fundamental building blocks to accessing recreational flight since the creation of Civil Aviation Order 95.25 way back in the eighties, and not surprisingly has delivered the most substantial safety outcomes in our 30 year history, but now we are incorporating dedicated resources to deliver training enhancements in flight training, airworthiness knowledge and skills to further assist safety outcomes and member knowledge and understanding. Like most things this is not a simple task and requires our key authority holders to be on board. Instructor standardisation, proficiency checks, appropriate resources and continuing development process are just a few of the attributes RAAus has a responsibly to manage to ensure effective training delivery for our members. Being abreast of the range of training resources and platforms that are constantly evolving in our industry is also paramount to future success. Challenges such as COVID 19 have forced RAAus like most industry operators to review the delivery of services to ensure continued participation and development in aviation training. While online resources can never be a substitute for the real thing, the very nature of visual learning in flight training creates an opportunity for video tutorials and simulation technologies to assist in the advancement of pilots in their training. Progressive training schools are investing in tools such as these to enhance their value proposition for students. RAAus has developed strategic partnerships with organisations such as Bob Tait Theory and GoFly Online to provide access to learning resources in addition to those already available through RAAus directly and other aviation agencies. The use of simulation tools for flight training is well established in the aviation industry but hasn’t been explored in the recreational sector to any great degree but this is about to change. One of the development projects for 2020-21 is to scope and develop simulation training tools for RAAus pilots and significant ground work has already been completed in this area.