Chad is the editor of AINalerts, AIN's daily business aviation newsletter, and is also the news editor at AIN Media Group.&nbsp;He has been writing about aviation, with an emphasis on business aviation, since 1994. Chad started his writing career at The Avion,&nbsp;the&nbsp;student newspaper at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, serving as editor-in-chief before graduating with a bachelor's in aeronautical science. After a stint as managing editor at Professional Pilot&nbsp;magazine, he joined&nbsp;AIN in late 1998. Chad holds a commercial pilot certificated with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and he also is a CFI/CFII. He lives and works from his home in Venice, Florida.

Online Editor

Chad Trautvetter

The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) is <a href="https://flightsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FSF-position-paper-pilot-training-and-competency-FINAL-03-01-18.pdf?utm_source=Training+position+paper+release&amp;utm_campaign=Training+paper+release&amp;utm_medium=email">calling for</a> a “pragmatic, data-driven approach” to pilot training to continue driving improvements in aviation safety. Specifically, the foundation wants national civil aviation authorities to have the flexibility “to adopt competency- or evidence-based training methods that target real-world risk and ensure a progressive and satisfactory performance standard.”

 


According to FSF, “It cannot be assumed that critical skills and knowledge will be obtained only through hours in the air. Although…the number of accumulated flight hours has been the baseline for determining experience, what is often overlooked in the pilot experience equation is the quality of flight time.” This includes such things as operational experiences, multi-crew operations, and weather-related flight experience, it said.

 


Thus, the foundation is recommending an improved pilot screening process; a renewed focus on the competency and quality of pilot training providers; pilot training programs that are competency- or evidence-based and not solely hours-based; pilot training programs that maximize the use of simulation; data-driven training programs that are continually updated, based on pilot task-level performance; development of a worldwide quality/performance criteria that is universally recognized; and pilot proficiency/qualification standards that cannot be compromised. It also called for ab initio programs with operator sponsorship/support; a partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization and industry to define rules, recommendations, guidelines and the expected quality and performance required of flight academies; and programs that place a high value on the knowledge and experience of flight instructors.

 


Though 2017 was the safest year in the history of commercial aviation, with no reported fatalities in commercial passenger jet operations worldwide, recent crashes in Russia and Iran has prompted FSF to warn against the dangers of complacency. It stressed the 2017 safety record "is not the result of any one factor, including any particular change in the hours requirement for pilot experience.”

 


Instead, it attributed the record to "the diligent efforts of thousands of aviation professionals around the world who design increasingly reliable aircraft, engines, and parts; maintain, repair and overhaul aircraft; regulate and enforce performance-based safety rules; investigate accidents and incidents; manage air traffic; develop sophisticated avionics and navigational aids; operate airports; and fly sophisticated aircraft in increasingly complex environments.”

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

FSF: Pilot Experience Is More Than Just a Number

"It cannot be assumed that critical skills and knowledge will be obtained only through hours in the air," the Flight Safety Foundation said.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Four-decade career in aviation journalism culminated in leading AIN’s editorial team

AIN Editor-in-chief Matt Thurber To Retire in October

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The Dutch air force will receive eight of the two-seaters in 2027

Pilatus PC-7 MKX Basic Trainer Makes First Flight

Matt Thurber

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Why not teach new pilots to go around before learning how to land?

AINsight: You Can (and Should) Always Go Around

Kerry Lynch

Most major manufacturers will be at static this year

NBAA-BACE Taking Shape with Expanded Program, Most OEMs

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

First step toward licensing could encourage youth to seek aviation careers

GAO Wants High Schoolers To Take Mechanic General Test

Charlotte Bailey

Evolving AI-augmented simulator-based approach to ‘gamify’ learning 

Saab Shaking Up Gripen Training with Project Skynapse 

Howard Hardee

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More In Training and Workforce

AIN Editor-in-chief Matt Thurber To Retire in October

Four-decade career in aviation journalism culminated in leading AIN’s editorial team

Pilatus PC-7 MKX Basic Trainer Makes First Flight

The Dutch air force will receive eight of the two-seaters in 2027

AINsight: You Can (and Should) Always Go Around

Why not teach new pilots to go around before learning how to land?

NBAA-BACE Taking Shape with Expanded Program, Most OEMs

Most major manufacturers will be at static this year

GAO Wants High Schoolers To Take Mechanic General Test

First step toward licensing could encourage youth to seek aviation careers

Saab Shaking Up Gripen Training with Project Skynapse

Evolving AI-augmented simulator-based approach to ‘gamify’ learning

Cutting 'Traveled Work' Delays At Spirit Critical To 737 Output

Spirit AeroSystems workers give Leeham News and Analysis the inside track

People in Aviation —September 2026

Michel Denis was named CEO of Daher, Steve Varsano president of Flexjet, and Robert Sumwalt was the next Wright Trophy recipient

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN