Ocean
The Living Force
A leaked Qantas internal memo raises concerns about the cognitive decline of pilots, supposedly because they are out of practice post Covid breaks - or could it be the effect of the vaccines…
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www.news.com.au
Reduced flights, staffing stand downs and global disruptions may have affected the skill level of pilots returning to work, according to internal communication from Qantas.
Internal memos obtained by Nine newspapers show airline bosses noting a reduction in “cognitive capacity” and “recency” (the skills and regulation compliance required to fly) among expert pilots.
The memo also noted incidents in which pilots have misidentified “altitude as airspeed,” instances of planes “commencing takeoff with (the) park brake set,” and the loss of “situational awareness”.
Combined with reduced flying across the network, we recognise a flow on effect for flight crew’s focus and familiarity with the operation,” they said.
“Routine items that used to be completed with a minimum of effort now occupy more time and divert attention away from flying the aircraft.”
Combined with reduced flying across the network, we recognise a flow on effect for flight crew’s focus and familiarity with the operation,” they said.
“Routine items that used to be completed with a minimum of effort now occupy more time and divert attention away from flying the aircraft.”
n a statement to news.com.au, a Qantas spokesperson said airlines across the world are working through the “complex process” of returning pilots to regular flying.
“We recognised very early that we needed to think differently about pilot recency, currency and refamiliarisation programs and so we designed an enhanced return-to-work program fit for the unprecedented challenge facing our industry,” they said.
“Safety is our number one priority and all of the data shows that our pilots are coming back with the skills and confidence to do their job safely.”
The aviation and tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and Qantas has been no exception.
In mid-December 2021, the airline flagged they’re expecting a $1.1 billion loss in the first six months of the financial year, with chief executive Alan Joyce saying it will have been “one of the worst halves of the entire pandemic”.
Poor performance was credited to the extended Covid-19 lockdowns across the country, a recent fall in flight bookings and the emergence of the Omicron variant.
News.com.au has reached out to Qantas for comment.
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Leaked memo exposes alarming flight stats
Reduced flights, staffing stand downs and global disruptions may have affected the skill level of pilots returning to work, according to internal communication from Qantas.
www.news.com.au
Expert’ Qantas pilots make increased mistakes after flying breaks due to Covid
After two years out of the cockpit, many “expert” pilots are struggling with the basic function of their roles, a leaked memo has revealed.Reduced flights, staffing stand downs and global disruptions may have affected the skill level of pilots returning to work, according to internal communication from Qantas.
Internal memos obtained by Nine newspapers show airline bosses noting a reduction in “cognitive capacity” and “recency” (the skills and regulation compliance required to fly) among expert pilots.
The memo also noted incidents in which pilots have misidentified “altitude as airspeed,” instances of planes “commencing takeoff with (the) park brake set,” and the loss of “situational awareness”.
Combined with reduced flying across the network, we recognise a flow on effect for flight crew’s focus and familiarity with the operation,” they said.
“Routine items that used to be completed with a minimum of effort now occupy more time and divert attention away from flying the aircraft.”
Combined with reduced flying across the network, we recognise a flow on effect for flight crew’s focus and familiarity with the operation,” they said.
“Routine items that used to be completed with a minimum of effort now occupy more time and divert attention away from flying the aircraft.”
n a statement to news.com.au, a Qantas spokesperson said airlines across the world are working through the “complex process” of returning pilots to regular flying.
“We recognised very early that we needed to think differently about pilot recency, currency and refamiliarisation programs and so we designed an enhanced return-to-work program fit for the unprecedented challenge facing our industry,” they said.
“Safety is our number one priority and all of the data shows that our pilots are coming back with the skills and confidence to do their job safely.”
The aviation and tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic and Qantas has been no exception.
In mid-December 2021, the airline flagged they’re expecting a $1.1 billion loss in the first six months of the financial year, with chief executive Alan Joyce saying it will have been “one of the worst halves of the entire pandemic”.
Poor performance was credited to the extended Covid-19 lockdowns across the country, a recent fall in flight bookings and the emergence of the Omicron variant.
News.com.au has reached out to Qantas for comment.
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