Will Provide Training In High Altitude Recovery Operations
Delta Connection Academy entered
into an exclusive agreement with Southern AeroMedical Institute
(SAMI) to develop and implement a training program incorporating
the physiological training associated with high altitude operations
in combination with computer-based simulation training in high
altitude recovery operations.
The program will also have the added value of recent integration
of simulated ATC, achieving what is anticipated be seen as the new
"gold standard" in high altitude physiological training, according
to SAMI. The curriculum, the partners report, enhances safety in
the air for the flying public by achieving a more efficient, higher
quality training for pilots and flight attendants.
This "first of its kind" program in the US will be operated at
the SAMI campus in Melbourne, FL, by Founder and SAMI Medical
Director Dr. Paul Buza, who is also a board certified neurologist
and FAA Aviation Medical Examiner.
Although the program will initially only be offered to Delta
Connection Academy students, the partners are looking toward the
future. With the joint development of computer-based training and
the release of a book specifically focused on high altitude
training in aviation, Delta Connection Academy and SAMI will market
the training program directly to both regional and major airlines
to enhance US aviation travel as well as the flying public as a
whole.
"The course has been designed to make our graduates the safest
and best-trained pilots in the industry. The majority of our
graduates fly directly for one of many regional airlines with whom
we have guaranteed interview agreements, and it behooves us to
ensure that we are providing our airline partners with the best
pilots that we possibly can," said Director of Flight Standards,
Program Development, and Chief Pilot for Delta Connection Academy
Richard Morris. "This course will give pilots and flight attendants
the knowledge required to identify the onset of hypoxia and take
the necessary action required to save lives."
Added Dr. Buza, "At SAMI we have strived for many years to
change the way that training is conducted on this extremely
important subject, and the partnership with Delta Connection
Academy has created the first major foothold in the industry, and
their belief in the program has allowed us to develop a program
that is unparalleled in the market place today."
"I'm happy with our new partnership and look forward to future
program and training development in other related areas," said Dr.
Buza.
The highly-specialized Southern AeroMedical Institute in
Melbourne, FL, boasts a high altitude chamber designed to closely
match most jet configurations to achieve realistic scenarios in the
rare event of a cabin depressurization.
With a chamber that is 32 feet long, 10 feet in diameter, and
weighs 77,000 pounds, its tubular shape is configured to match
fuselage design of most regional jets. Integration of cockpits
matched with wireless ATC simulation allows flight missions to be
conducted and captured on video for post-flight analysis.