General Aviation Research

Pilot Training

FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS)

The FAA/Industry Training Standards (FITS) Program is currently entering its third year. The FITS program was implemented by the FAA to develop training focused on developing pilot judgment and decision-making skills in general aviation aircraft equipped with glass cockpits.

The Center for General Aviation Research (CGAR) has provided the FITS program with more than $1M in funding. There have been exciting developments in this research.

In partnership with the University of North Dakota, the FITS research team has developed a full line of piston and jet syllabuses. FITS training is centered on three specific concepts: scenario-based training (SBT), single pilot resource management (SRM), and learner-centered grading.

The future of FITS is bright. Currently, FITS syllabuses have been developed and are in use at Cessna, Cirrus Design, and Adam Aircraft. FITS syllabuses are currently being developed for Diamond Aircraft, Lancair, and Mooney.

The FITS team made history when Adam Aircraft and the FITS team published the first ever FAA-accepted syllabus for the new class of very light jets (VLJs) embodying the FITS concepts.

The FAA established technically advanced aircraft performance (TAAP) labs at both Embry-Riddle and the University of North Dakota. To complete the FITS development work, these labs are available to other researchers on an as-available basis.

Additionally, the FITS team has established a partnership with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to test the FITS-developed private and instrument syllabuses.