Advanced Upset Prevention & Recovery Training
Advanced Upset Prevention & Recovery
UPRT Training Course
The Problem
If an accident occurs, it’s most likely because the pilot lost control over his/her airplane. The accidents involving AirAsia flight 8501 in December 2014, Air France 447 in June 2009, Turkish Airlines 1751, Colgan Air 3407 in February 2009, and several others are examples.
Industry determined that existing practices can be both ineffective and sometimes even contribute to LOC-I accidents. During a sudden unexpected event, a pilot may apply the incorrect action, thereby making the situation worse.
It is vital that any training considers the interaction between the pilot and the airplane, and helps to ensure that this connection is maintained during all situations.
What is an Upset?
An airplane upset is an undesired aircraft state characterised by unintentional divergences from parameters normally experienced during operations. An airplane upset may involve pitch and/or bank angle divergences, or an aerodynamic stall. These can lead to Loss of Control. Hence, preventing and recovering from upsets is the goal of UPRT.
The most essential part of UPRT is the ‘P’, or ‘PREVENTION’. Our training focuses on raising awareness, the recognition of conditions that could lead to upsets, and then systematically training correct intervention techniques for the specific airplane.
The Instructors
Andy Wilkins
Andy has the benefit of years of experience in the airline world plus many years running a training centre using a 737-800 simulator. Now concentrating on teaching the UPRT training and aerobatics courses, this enables the candidate to experience knowledge from both worlds. This is particularly important when looking at recovery techniques in a light aircraft versus the requirements that a future airline pilot will need when flying a jet, or turboprop aircraft. The course is run from Dunkeswell Aerodrome in Devon.
Dave Mackay
Dave is a former Royal Navy pilot and flying instructor, with long experience on the Sea Harrier, F/A-18 and on the display circuit, flying the classic aeroplanes of the RN Historic Flight and other warbirds.
Born and raised in Edinburgh, he came to flying early in life via an RN flying scholarship which resulted in him gaining his PPL at the Leicestershire Aero Club at age 18. Shortly after finishing school, he joined the Royal Navy and served over 20 years, flying as a fighter pilot and instructor on many different types and travelling all over the world on our three aircraft carriers, HMS Invincible, Illustrious and Ark Royal.
Following retirement form the Royal Navy, Dave became an airline pilot, flying as Captain on Airbus 319/320/321 aircraft for two major UK airlines. Company re-organisations then led him to move to a career in flying business jets where, for the past 14 years, he’s been busy as Captain, Training Captain and TRI on various Bizjets for Embraer, Bombardier and Gulfstream.
Recently Dave’s been spending more time on core flying training work as a freelance FI around the South West, and has recently joined our team as a UPRT instructor. He’s looking forward to working with you to broaden your skills and confidence in handling all types of aircraft in unfamiliar areas of the flight envelope.
Approved ATO by the CAA no GBR.ATO.0532
Compliant with FCL 745.A
Advanced UPRT
At SW Aerobatics we offer the Advanced level of UPRT training on a unique one to one, or two to one course, making the learning experience very focused on the individual need of the candidate.
Prerequisite to:
- training courses for single-pilot class or type ratings operated in multi-pilot operations
- training courses for single-pilot high performance complex aeroplanes
- training courses for multi-pilot aeroplanes
The Cost
From £1,500 including all taxes and VAT.
WHY IS UPRT IMPORTANT?
Vital Benefits of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) for Pilots in 2023
I needed an advanced UPRT course at short notice for regulatory reasons – I was booked on a single pilot jet type rating course and unexpectedly found I needed the AUPRT course as part of the pre-entry requirements.
Andy moved Heaven and Earth to fit me in to his schedule – no easy task given the vagaries of the UK weather and the only two days I could offer him prior to starting the type rating.
I would recommend Andy and SW Aerobatics for this course unreservedly. Andy has a good instructional manner backed up by a lot of experience, which made the course interesting and relevant. The Super Decathlon aeroplane is an ideal training platform for this kind of work – well mannered handling in the normal envelope, challenging but still good mannered in manoeuvres outside the “normal” flight envelope such as incipient and developed spins. It is also as strong as an ox.
Anyone, no matter their experience can get something from this course. Thanks again, Andy.
TRAINING - THE SOLUTION TO LOC
In recent years, pilots, industry leaders, aviation and flight educators, and training organizations have become much more aware of the severity of the threat of Loss of Control In-flight (LOC-I) and the role of comprehensive Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) to mitigate the associated risk.
Transitoning to the UPRT Mindset
Free, in-depth article on the UPRT learning process and pilot benefits
THE STARTLE EFFECT
Tackling the effect of ‘startle’ on our UPRT Course
Our Course
What Is UPRT?
UPRT stands for aeroplane ‘upset prevention and recovery training’ and constitutes a combination of theoretical knowledge and flying training with the aim of providing flight crew with the required competencies to both prevent and to recover from situations in which an aeroplane unintentionally exceeds the parameters for line operation or training (aeroplane upsets).
Advanced UPRT
Our course will include at least 5 hours of theoretical instruction as well as at least 3 hours of dual flight instruction in an aeroplane, with the aim to enhance the student’s resilience to the psychological and physiological aspects associated with upset conditions.
The Aircraft
Super Decathlon
The Super Decathlon is renowned as a brilliant aerobatic aircraft rated to +6 -5. Ideal as a training aircraft, it was originally imported from America by its well-known owner, James May, at only 300 hours. It now has only 800 hours on the airframe and still looks brand new. The aircraft has also recently had a new engine to satisfy the requirements for public transport operation.
As the aircraft is a tailwheel aircraft you may need extra time to add a tailwheel endorsement to your licence.