A flight school in Singapore offers enhanced turbulence training for trainee pilots. This is to prepare them to handle various types of turbulence.
Subsequent to several incidents where aircraft were subjected to severe turbulence, aviation schools are looking to improve trainee pilots’ skills through advanced turbulence training.
AEROVIATION SINGAPORE
Aeroviation in Singapore has beefed up its pilot training to include more focus on turbulence.
The flight school has enhanced its training to ensure that cadet pilots are exposed to various forms of turbulence that can be experienced during a flight.
Clear air turbulence can strike from nowhere. This means that pilots must be prepared and know how to respond when faced with possible turbulence incidents.
SIMULATOR TURBULENCE TRAINING
Trainee pilots prepare for turbulence events in simulators, while under the supervision of flight instructors.
Cadets will spend up to 20 hours working on how to handle turbulence in an aircraft.
The decision comes in the wake of recent high-profile air turbulence incidents across the world.
TURBULENCE TRAINING
Senior Flight Instructor at Aeroviation, Mirza Ariffin, says that teaching includes turbulence training at different intensities.
“Depending on the student’s progress, we will increase intensity. We will change direction especially on landings. We will introduce turbulence class factors and variable winds for them to improve their control and their landings.” Ariffin said.
A BRUSH WITH TURBULENCE
The facility has various aircraft simulators, so pilots can get used to different cockpit and instrument setups – as turbulence can affect all aircraft types.
Ariffin says that experiencing turbulence in a smaller aircraft is in fact beneficial for cadet pilots as learning to control turbulence in light aircraft is where the pilot really learns how to control it.
“They get to experience what turbulence can entail in a light aircraft, compared to a 737 or A380s. That’s how you learn to fight it or control the turbulence.” Ariffin said.
Up to 90% of the school’s cadets go on to enjoy careers as pilots.
A number of Aeroviation’s pilots go on to work for international airlines including Singapore Airlines.
ALSO READ: Singapore Airlines beefs up flight safety measures
MAJOR TURBULENCE ON SQ 321
Earlier this year a Singapore Airlines flight hit clear air turbulence, killing one passenger and leaving several others in a critical state.
On May 21, Flight SQ321 suddenly lost altitude, dropping 6 000 feet in roughly three minutes.
This type of turbulence is indeed becoming more common, with several incidents occurring this year alone.
