The Role of the Beechcraft C90 GTi Aircraft Used Within the Scope of Basic Flight Training

Abstract

TThe Beechcraft C90 GTi aircraft is considered one of the technically advanced aircraft under today's conditions. Technological developments in aircraft have raised the question of how such technically advanced aircraft can be integrated into flight training. In this regard, this study investigates the use of the Beechcraft C90 GTi aircraft, which is technologically more advanced than the multi-engine aircraft used in basic flight training, in the multi-engine rating training phase of the ATP integrated training. The aim of the study is to determine the training process for this aircraft, along with its training requirements and student pilots’ perceptions during the training process. To this end, a case study, one of the qualitative research designs, is conducted. The data are collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the descriptive analysis method. The study participants consist of 14 student pilots who have received multi-engine rating training on the Beechcraft C90 GTi aircraft at the Department of Flight Training of Eskişehir Technical University. Findings are supported by direct quotations. As a result, the advantages and disadvantages of training on the Beechcraft C90 GTi aircraft and student pilots’ recommendations for improving the training are presented.

Keywords

• Flight Training
• Multi-engine aircraft
• Student pilot
• Flight Training Organization

References

1. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. (2005). Technically advanced aircraft - Safety and training. Frederick Büyüköztürk, Ş., Kılıç Çakmak, E., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., & Demirel, F. (2014). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemleri [Scientific Research Methods]. Ankara: Pegem Akademi.
2. Creswell, J. (2020). Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri [Qualitative Research Methods]. Ankara: Siyasal Kitabevi.
3. Dornan, W., Craig, P., Gossett, S., & Beckman, W. (2018). Best evidence for the FAA Industry Training Standards (FITS) program for pilot training in technically advanced aircraft. The Collegiate Aviation Review International.
4. Federal Aviation Administration. (2022, 04 18). Aviation Instructor's Handbook. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/aviation_instructors_handbook.
5. Hiremath, V., Proctor, R., Fanjoy, R., Feyen, R., & Young, J. (2009). Comparison of Pilot Recovery and Response Times in Two Types of Cockpits. Human Interface and the Management of Information. Information and Interaction (pp. 776-775). San Diego: Springer Berlin, Heidelberg.
6. Karataş, Z. (2015). Sosyal Bilimlerde Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri [Qualitative Research Methods in Social Sciences]. Manevi Temelli Sosyal Hizmet Araştırmaları Dergisi, 62-80.
7. Nahlinder, S., Dahlstrom, N., & Dekker, S. (2006). Introduction of technically advanced aircraft in ab-initio flight training. Technical Report.
8. Sülla, D. (2005). Mental arbetsbelastning: jämförelse av flygning under enmotorskedet med flygning under tvåmotorskedet.

9. Socha, V., Socha, L., Hanakova, L., Valenta, V., Kusmirek, S., & Lalis, A. (2020). Pilot's performance and workload assessment: Transition from analogue to glass-cockpit. Applied Sciences, 5211.
10. Türnüklü, A. (2000). Eğitimbilim Araştırmalarında Etkin Olarak Kullanılabilecek Nitel BirAraştırma Tekniği: Görüşme [A Qualitative Research Technique That Can Be Used Effectively in Educational Research: Interview]. Kuram ve Uygulamada Eğitim Yönetimi, 543-559.
11. Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2013). Sosyal Bilimlerde Nitel Araştırma Yöntemleri [Qualitative Research Methods in Social Sciences]. Ankara: Seçkin Yayıncılık.