LIFUS or Supervised Line Flying (SLF) Training is an integral stage of the restart program as it provides a vehicle for pilots to consolidate competence and confidence in line operations. The aim of LIFUS is to allow the trainee to regain practical experience and exposure to the operator's route structure. By the end of the LIFUS, the trainee will have demonstrated the ability to undertake effectively normal rostered duties.
The number of sectors should be tailored to the needs of the pilot as an individual, taking into account their experience with the operation, the complexity of the network and the period of time since the last operational duties. The training designer should ensure sufficient exposure to the network to meet the global training objective of the LIFUS element. LIFUS is also a method to recover Area, Route and Aerodrome qualification and associated recency.
The global training objective of the LIFUS element is the following:
- The pilots must be able to conduct normal operations in accordance with the performance standard defined by the AOC or the ATO, in an aircraft, during normal line operations.
The detailed training objectives of the LIFUS element are the following.
The pilot must be able to:
- perform normal SOPs in all phases of flight, in accordance with the performance standard.
- manage the flight path manually and with automation, in accordance with the performance standard under operational conditions.
- demonstrate a competent standard of operational and regional knowledge, including published operating instructions and where to source required information.
- appropriately manage the workload in order to maintain proper situational awareness during operations.
- achieve safe and efficient line operations by demonstrating an effective decision-making process.
- perform effectively monitoring duties and use appropriate intervention strategy (when necessary) to maintain safe aircraft operations throughout all phases of flight.
- demonstrate effective communication by conducting interactive threat-based briefings and using correct R/T procedures and phraseology at all times.
- demonstrate commercial awareness.
Note: While it is difficult to measure, an outcome of the training should be to ensure that pilots are confident in their abilities to re-commence operations.
LIFUS syllabus
The LIFUS syllabus should consist of ground training and line training to ensure that flight crew are qualified to operate in areas, on routes or route segments and into the airports used by the operator. This is achieved by means of the following:
- For the less complex routes, familiarization by self-briefing with route documentation, or by means of programmed instruction; and
- For more complex routes, in-flight familiarization as a commander, co-pilot or observers under supervision, or familiarization in a Synthetic Training Device using a database appropriate to the route concerned.
The achievement of LIFUS competency requires Knowledge, Skills and Attitude elements. Knowledge is built from previous experience and throughout the ground training phase. LIFUS provides an opportunity to expand this knowledge base and to apply it to develop and reinforce practical line Skills. Examples of topics to be considered for inclusion in LIFUS Syllabus can be found HERE.
LIFUS discussion elements
The development and maintenance of an appropriate knowledge base is primarily the responsibility of the trainee, however in the context of the restart of operations, specific Observable Behaviors belonging to the competency "application of knowledge" are success critical to demonstrate a suitable level of knowledge and should be included as part of the ground training refresher. The role of the trainers is to identify and assist in filling knowledge gaps during LIFUS, using practical scenarios to improve understanding.
An example of topics to be considered for inclusion in a LIFUS Syllabus is available in Annex 6.
Additional information on LIFUS based on CBTA principles can be found HERE.
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