When it comes to flying airplanes, the “use it or lose it” rule applies to keeping pilot skills sharp, according to new research from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
There has been no greater time in recent history, however, when pilots lacked a chance to “use it” than during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those pilots who work for airlines. This stretch of time had an alarming impact on pilot proficiency, according to Dr. Rajee Olaganathan, a researcher at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.
“What surprised me was the level of skills deterioration over such a short duration,” said Olaganathan, the study’s principal investigator, who found a 50% increase in pilot errors following the pandemic-related airline shutdown in 2020. “Skill knowledge is acquired slowly through related experience and practice. When flying hours are reduced, it will have an effect on the pilots’ skills.”
The highest reduction in global flight operations during the pandemic occurred in May 2020, when flight were reduced 70.6% compared to the level of service a year ago. In the United States alone, that translated to a total of 532,834 fewer flights than in May 2019.
“The…COVID-19 scenario made it difficult for pilots to achieve federal requirements,” Olaganathan said. “It also placed a burden on pilots to maintain their currency and proficiency, due to lack of access to aircraft following industry-wide furloughs and layoffs. Because of that, the number of safety incidents related to pilot proficiency increased tremendously during this pandemic period.”
Olaganathan, who published her findings in the Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Advances in March 2021, said one of the main problem areas identified in the study was a pilot’s skill at landing.
In order to maintain safety certifications, pilots are required to perform at least three takeoffs and landings every 90 days, but due to shutdowns, that was impossible for many, she noted.
The industry needs to be proactive, she added, offering training program and sim time for pilots to regain currency.
“Pilots also need to make an honest assessment of their skills and confidence upon returning to work,” she said. “They may need to turn down offers like shorter landing approaches from air traffic control if they do not feel ready.”
Then there are the aircraft that were put in ‘long term’ storage, that have to be restored to airworthy service….which may have some residual reliability issues.
The ‘short term’ stored aircraft are kept in a ready to fly status, at a much higher cost.
I agree with other that there are [ were] a huge increase in GA pilot activity. !
The traffic at the airport where I was based got to be so problematic- like a 20 minute wait to get on the runway, that I relocated to another nearby, much less busy airport.
“There has been no greater time in recent history, however, when pilots lacked a chance to “use it” than during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those pilots who work for airlines.”
OK, so, is this just about airline pilots, or GA pilots, or pilots in general? All the above?
As I read it, seems pretty skewed toward the airline crowd. (Did they discontinue doing sims all this time?)
If not…what data did they access, during the same time frame, that would allow accurate conclusions concerning GA folks?
Perhaps the greater issue is marginal training to begin with. Couple that with who was and wasn’t flying, certainly not everybody as in more normal times, and that you can’t account for.
More hypothetical assumptions promoting the researcher’s venue perhaps?
Contrarian View: There’s no better way for a GA/private pilot to ‘social distance’ than in an aircraft. I, personally, flew more GA/PIC time in both 20 & 21 than in any of my previous 55 years of flying. Some folks take their sports cars around the block for break. I take my Cessna up for an ‘Altitude Adjustment’!
If a pilot didn’t fly, he/she missed an opportunity, to be sure!!!
Airplanes burn hydrocarbon fuel. The administration prefers grounding all airplane except theirs.
They want to force electric cars and airplanes on everybody.
They also want to shutdown power plants.
I guess we’ll need generators with pedals.
Goo d for cardio if we don’t starve because crops can’t be harvested or delivered.