Research Article

A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study

Volume: 3 Number: 1 April 24, 2026
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A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study

Abstract

Quantitative data on the long-term operational impact of the Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) model, which has emerged as a competency-based alternative in the pilot training industry, remains limited. This study aims to quantitatively analyze the operational performance differences between First Officers (FOs) graduated from Traditional (CPL/IR/MCC) and MPL pathways using Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) metrics. This retrospective cohort study analyzed FDM data collected from a single airline fleet over a 15-month period (January 2024 - March 2025). The study included 123 MPL and 251 Traditional pathway graduate FOs. Exceedance rates (per 1,000 segments) for 17 distinct FDM events and 7 critical manual flight parameters were compared, evaluating statistical significance at the p < 0.05 level using Fisher’s Exact Test. The analysis revealed a statistically significant lower-risk profile for the MPL group in critical landing parameters. The MPL group experienced significantly fewer exceedances in events such as ‘Hard Landing’ (p = 0.008) and ‘Long Touchdown’ (p < 0.001) compared to the traditional group. Furthermore, the MPL group performed better in procedural and safety-critical categories such as 'Fuel Imbalance' and 'Stall Warning'. These findings do not support claims that MPL training negatively impacts operational performance or manual flying skills.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sensory Processes, Perception and Performance

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 24, 2026

Submission Date

February 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 24, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 3 Number: 1

APA
Balkan, M. O., Soran, S., Gunessen, N. M., & Yildirir, G. (2026). A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace, 3(1), 34-42. https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289
AMA
1.Balkan MO, Soran S, Gunessen NM, Yildirir G. A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace. 2026;3(1):34-42. doi:10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289
Chicago
Balkan, Mehmet Onur, Semih Soran, Nurhat Metin Gunessen, and Gürhan Yildirir. 2026. “A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional Vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study”. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace 3 (1): 34-42. https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289.
EndNote
Balkan MO, Soran S, Gunessen NM, Yildirir G (April 1, 2026) A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace 3 1 34–42.
IEEE
[1]M. O. Balkan, S. Soran, N. M. Gunessen, and G. Yildirir, “A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study”, Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 34–42, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289.
ISNAD
Balkan, Mehmet Onur - Soran, Semih - Gunessen, Nurhat Metin - Yildirir, Gürhan. “A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional Vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study”. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace 3/1 (April 1, 2026): 34-42. https://doi.org/10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289.
JAMA
1.Balkan MO, Soran S, Gunessen NM, Yildirir G. A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace. 2026;3:34–42.
MLA
Balkan, Mehmet Onur, et al. “A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional Vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study”. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace, vol. 3, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 34-42, doi:10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289.
Vancouver
1.Mehmet Onur Balkan, Semih Soran, Nurhat Metin Gunessen, Gürhan Yildirir. A Quantitative Analysis of the Impact of Traditional vs. MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) Training Pathways on Operational Performance: A 15-Month FDM Data Study. Human Factors in Aviation and Aerospace. 2026 Apr. 1;3(1):34-42. doi:10.26650/hfaa.2026.1893289