A University of South Australia literature review published this week has concluded that safety in general aviation would be improved by better quality training.
Authored by three academics from UniSA's aviation division, the study reviewed 46 previously published documents covering GA fixed-wing accidents, concluding that human factors and training deficiencies are leading factors fatal GA accidents.
UniSA PhD candidate and co-author Emma Sheffield says proper training, particularly for IMC and low visibility conditions, must be addressed.
“It is not just a recreational sector, but an integral part of Australia’s aviation system, yet the data consistently shows a poor safety record when compared with commercial airline operations,” Sheffield says.
“Flying into conditions where visibility is severely reduced–such as cloud, fog or heavy rain–requires pilots to fly solely by reference to instruments.
"Without proper training, that can be fatal as pilots often lose control within minutes due to spatial disorientation.”
Human factors were cited in more than half the studies reviewed for the paper. These factor included pilot error, poor decision-making and reduced situational awareness.
Analysis of the 46 studies revealed five major themes:
- human factors
- training deficiencies
- aircraft characteristics
- pilot characteristics
- phase of flight.
The UniSA paper, co-authored by Seung-Yong Lee and Yahua Zhang, determined that risks could be mitigated with targeted recurrent training combined with routine practice with a flying instructor. The authors also encouraged using approved flight simulators and distance learning to improve pilot proficiency.
"In-air training can be costly," Sheffield says, “so expanding the use of tools such as flight simulators provides general aviation pilots with the opportunity to practise emergency scenarios and build decision-making skills in a safe and cost-effective way.
“Emerging technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence also hold potential for developing alternative training methods that are more accessible to pilots.”
Data for the paper was drawn from several sources including the National Transportation Safety Bureau (NTSB) in the USA, the ATSB and NZ Transport Accident Investigation Commission (NZ TAIC).