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Aviation History
1989
1989 - 2066.PDF
Finnair's MD-80 fleet. Line conversion is the task of Finnair's flight training centre in Helsinki, where graduates spend three months. Finnair's simulator fleet includes ATR42 (convertible to ATR72) and MD-82/83/87 (EFIS-convert- ible) machines bought new; a 1971-built DC-9-50 (convertible to -10 or -40) simulator bought from S5udia; and a vintage DC-10-30 machine purchased from Alitalia and fitted with upgraded computer and Vital IV visuals. Finnair's order for two McDonnell Douglas MD-lls, plus two options, is supported by the purchase of a Phase Ill-standard CAE flight simulator (with Vital VH/multiview 200°-wide visuals) and a cockpit procedures trainer, to be housed in an extension to the flight training centre. A 25-year-old Fokker F.27 fixed-base, non-visual simulator is kept on purely for outside contracts. The MD-80 and ATR42 simulators have been made available to ten other airlines. The DC-9 machine is only used by two others, and much of its time is used by Finnair for new pilot training. A new DC-9 pilot also trains for nine hours on the aircraft itself—three to four times the base flying- hours for conversion to other types. AUTHORITY GRADIENT Human-factors training on leadership is grafted on to the captain's upgrade course. Finnish culture is hostile to pompous leader ship, and copilots are told to treat captains not as senior officers but to recognise the "authority gradient". Ground training is evolving. Computer- based training (CBT) has come late to Finnair and the airliner has ended up with three different systems: WICAT for the DC-10, and for the DC-9 and MD-80 by the end of the year, and ultimately for the MD-11; a VACBI keyboard/mouse-driven system for the ATR42; and the MAEVE carousel system for the A300. MD-11 training will use two WICAT 2260 computers, and the present 1260s will serve Finnair's technical college and Pori (for a new instrument course). The Finnair general flight-navigation trainer will go to Pori, for introductory twin-engined IFR training, following on from the Frascas. Exclusive use of English is avoided. As full translation of manuals and CBT voice tracks is difficult, the compromise is to use CBT stations in class, rather than booths, where questions can be answered immediately in Finnish. Aircrew refresher training includes infor mal exchanges between cabin staff and pilots. Demonstration hardware includes a DC-9/ MD-80 fuselage section, with representative window, door, and rear-bulkhead exit. Hydraulic motion and vibration provide real ism for inflight and ground emergencies. Projected flame images can be added to one side. Training costs have grown to 3 per cent of Finnair's turnover, compared with a 1 per cent industry norm in Finland. Next year's training budget is nearly FMk60 million ($15 million). Capital expenditure is running at an average of FMk50 million a year, driven by provisions for the MD-80 and MD-11. C Ab initio flying training takes place at Pori on Beech A-36 Bonanzas Galley replenishment (here on a DC-10-30) is just one facet of Finnair's training programme 24 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 1 July 1989
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