Arizona-headquartered upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT) company Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) has received EASA approval for its Advanced UPRT course. Training is delivered via APS Europe's approved training organisation (ATO) at Breda International airport in the Netherlands using the Slingsby T67M200 Firefly.

“The new EASA Advanced UPRT training is a step in the right direction for EASA, and APS is honoured to have received official approval for the course,” says CEO Paul 'BJ' Ransbury. “Because the EASA guidelines leave significant latitude to approved training organisations, including the omission of aircraft training platform requirements, APS UPRT programmes exceed these guidelines by adhering to proven best practices, including the Every Pilot In Control Solution Standard, that substantially enhance the effectiveness, transferability and resilience of the training without needing to increase training time.”

The company is also offering a special week-long safety initiative aimed at investing in single pilot operational safety for the first 50 single pilot operators to book on the on-aircraft UPRT programmes. It will include a one hour advanced simulator session with its initial multi-day on-aircraft UPRT programmes in Arizona. Fifty single-pilot slots are open for five days, and pilots have up to one year to complete the programme.

It says that recent National Transportation Safety Board data reveals that single pilot operators account for more than six times the number of fatal loss of control in-flight (LOC-I) accidents over the past 10 years compared to crewed operations.

While it is well-established that on-aircraft UPRT is highly effective and superior to simulator training, there are still critical UPRT scenarios that cannot safely be practiced in the air. This upgrade allows single pilots, who are generally less likely to add simulator training to their UPRT programme, an opportunity to get comprehensive training and reduce their risk of LOC-I.

“This unprecedented upgrade and investment by APS in single pilot safety allows our team to provide single pilot operators the critical training they need to enhance their operational security,” adds Ransbury. “My strong advice for every single pilot operator is to get one of APS's 50 slots immediately and transform your skills to an all new level in just two and a half days. APS is committed to leading this initiative to substantially reduce the number of lives lost due to preventable LOC-I related accidents.”