An ATSB study has concluded that pilots who enter the airlines through cadet programs are as proficient as direct-entry pilots who have logged general aviation hours first.
The study was done in response to industry contention that low-hour cadets who gain multi crew pilot licences (MPL) are not as skilled as pilots who have thousands of hours flying military or GA aircraft before going to the airlines.
After conducting a study based on data volunteered by the airlines and simulator testing, the ATSB found nothing to support the contentions.
"Contrary to the expressed concerns of some sectors of the industry, there was no evidence indicating that cadets or low-hour pilots within these airlines were any less competent or proficient than their direct entry and high-hour peers," the report states.
"The results indicate while there are difference in performance between the various groups, the performance of the cadets and low-hour pilots against their direct entry and more experienced brethern is remarkably similar.
"All pilots within the cadet entry and low-hour groups passed the simulator and line checks required of them, meaning they are proficient to be operating as second and first officers within the respective airlines, as rated by the airlines' check and training staff."
However, although the report found that the cadets met the standard, it also found that direct entry pilots were more likely to exceed the minimum requirements.
Most interesting is that the study results showed that direct entry pilots generally performed better in "non-normal" operations, a function, no doubt, of the experience that comes with flying hours.
The full report can be downloaded from the ATSB website here.