| Scope and method of study. The purpose of this study was to determine if spatial disorientation training conducted by FAR part 141 schools for the airplane category met the training guidelines outlined by Kirkham, et al. (1978) of the Civil Aeromedical Institute. The problem is commercial aviation industry training managers, based on historical precedent (military trained pilots), may assume a level of spatial disorientation training that is not present. Kirkham, et al. (1978) recommended schools provide lectures, ground demonstrations, and inflight demonstrations of spatial disorientation. A questionnaire was administered to FAR part 141 schools to assess compliance with the above stated recommendations.;Findings and conclusions. Two hundred sixty-three FAR part 141 schools responded to a survey on spatial disorientation training. The number of schools that provided all three methods of training was only 38. Only 42 schools used ground demonstration trainers. Approximately three-quarters of the FAR part 141 schools provided lectures in their courses (private/commercial pilot courses-194, instrument course-189, flight instructor course-161). A chi-square test ( a = .05) indicated an uneven distribution in the number of hours of ground instruction for these courses. The courses were skewed to the low end of the continuum where most schools spent one hour or less on spatial disorientation. Ground instruction provided in academic or specialized instruction was an exception and a chi-square test ( a = .05) indicated a flat distribution in training hours. A majority of FAR part 141 schools provided inflight demonstrations of spatial disorientation (private/commercial pilot courses-203, instrument course-214, flight instructor course-141). Survey participants reported spatial disorientation is extremely important to pilots and more time should be allotted for training. |
