Conversion, Training and Checking.
Conversion, Training and Checking procedures play an important part in making Aviation safe.
Training must be conducted by a suitably qualified Instructor in accordance with the syllabus specified in the Ops Manual (OM). The amount of training will depend on previous experience. The OM will also state the minimum qualification and experience required to commence training.
CRM Training must be given by a qualified CRMI.
Should a pilot be required to operate a variant of a type of aeroplane, then a differences course will need to be undertaken.
Familiarisation training is required when procedures or equipment is changed.
All pilots will be required to undergo recurrent training and checking which is normally conducted annually (some things may be 3 yearly) and the details can of course be found in the OM.
What is usually included:
- Operator Proficiency Check (OPC)
- Will cover Normal, Abnormal, and Emergency procedures (usually in simulator) and is valid for 6 months.
Line Check
- Will cover normal operations (if qualified on more than one type then changed each check).
Emergency and Safety Equipment training
Every 3 years the following should be covered:
- Operation of all types of exits
- Demonstration of using escape slide
- Actual fire fighting on a real or simulated fire
- Actual handling of pyrotechnics (real or simulated)
- Demonstration of the use of a life raft
- Effects of smoke in an enclosed environment
CRM training
- Should cover issues such as:
- Cockpit authority gradients
- Dealing with personality clashes
- Recognition of fatigue
- Leadership skills
- Decision making
All major topics should be covered over a 3-year period.
Ground Refresher training
Should be done annually and can be validated by a questionnaire or other means and should include:
- Aeroplane systems
- Operational procedures and requirements including de-ice/anti-ice procedures and pilot incapacitation.
- Accident and incident occurrence review
Aeroplane/Simulator training
Must be completed at least every 12 months with all major system failures covered over a sensible period (usually 3 years) and should cover:
- Total electrical failure
- Engine failure
- Emergency descent
- Smoke and fumes
- Crash and ditching drills
- Can be combined with the OPC.
3-Month Rule
A OPC is valid for 6 months from the end of the month the check was completed. A check completed on 05 Feb is valid until 31 Aug. If the next check is completed in the 3 months prior to 31 Aug on say 14 May then the period of validity will be extended to 28 Feb.
The 3-month rule can also be applied to the Line Check, Ground Refresher training and CRM training (normally done at the same time as ground training).