Amateur-built and experimental aircraft - Australian Transport Safety ...

The concept of transition training closely relates to endorsements, but goes beyond
them to encompass the process of making a gap-fit assessment. This assessment
examines current and needed pilot experience. It also involves preparing a
structured program of training to gain the right experience. The term transition
training does not appear in CAR or CASR documents. Regulations 5 and 20 of the
CAR specify the experience needed for pilot licences from student to air transport.
The need for transition training has been recognised by production aircraft
manufacturers (General Aviation Manufacturers Association, 1989), and amateurbuilt
aircraft associations such as the EEA and the SAAA. This report explores
transition training based on:
• type of flying and flying experience in hours
• current and highest pilot licences.
3.9.1 Access and usefulness
Figure 89 records the proportion of respondents who indicated they undertook
transition training. Two-hundred and forty-eight (248) of 354 people (70 per cent)
undertook transition training. Most respondents who undertook transition training,
did so prior to the purchase of their aircraft.
Figure 89: Transition training undertaken
Rating of access to transition training is found in Figure 90. This shows that most
respondents were readily able to access transition training. About 15 per cent found
it somewhat difficult or very difficult to access transition training. It may be that
these people were part of a niche aircraft market, or alternatively they may not have
had friends who were willing to let them use their aircraft. Insurance may be null
and void if someone other than the owner flies the aircraft, or the pilot may be
geographically isolated, making training more difficult to access. Geographical
isolation and insurance is not covered in this report.
Figure 90: Rating of access to transition training
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