Page 34 - Sept18T

Jet Journal
Best Practices for
Recurrent Training Step I: Get a Progressive Check
by Neil Singer
One of the biggest single factors that can make the difference between a positive, efficient recurrent training ex- perience, versus one that merely “checks the boxes” at a cost of high stress and minimal learning, is if the required pilot in command proficiency check (PPC) is done as a progressive check (good), or as a standalone check on the last day of training (not so good).
Here’s what FAA says about progressive checks. On December 19, 2016, they published notice N8900.396, “Progressive Checking for Pilot in Command Proficiency Checks Under 61.58.” It states:
Progressive checking is the practice whereby an applicant is trained on a task or a set of tasks, and then after having been trained is subsequently checked on those tasks. After this checking phase, further training is conducted on additional task(s) and then those task(s) are checked. This process continues until all tasks have been trained and subsequently checked.
In other words, the PPC does not need to be completed all at once, in one session, but can be spread out among several simulator sessions, and woven in with training (practice). This is ideal for two reasons: time isn’t wasted revisiting items that were performed fine during an early session, and the stress of a single session with air work, four instrument approaches and one visual pattern is avoided. Anyone who has done a standalone PPC will attest that it is a fatiguing, fast-paced session as there are numerous required tasks to accomplish in only two hours.
There are some important limitations to be aware of with regard to progressive checking. First, let’s look at what is said regarding an unsuccessful maneuver during a “checking” attempt:
Training to proficiency may be accomplished when an applicant fails to perform to the required standards during the checking event. In such a case, the check may be suspended while the applicant is retrained, after which the proficiency check may be resumed and the task can then be reevaluated.
32 • TWIN & TURBINE September 2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAUL BOWEN PHOTOGRPAHY