This is a study of how a virtual technology burden was created that impacted the professional pilot college student and various colleges/universities that offer professional pilot degree programs. A cascading set of events began as a result of U.S. congressional reaction to a tragic airline accident. The resulting legislation forced the Federal Aviation Administration to publish new rules for first officer qualifications that were unmindful of the recommendations of professional pilot groups

more »

... simulation-based training. Ultimately, this placed a financial burden on both the college/university training curriculum and on the professional pilot student. Description of the Project This paper investigates the impact of a fatal aircraft accident in the United States (the Cogan Airlines accident) on the virtual technology (aircraft simulation) used by colleges and universities in training airline pilots for service as first officers. It examines the training profile used prior to the accident in question, the Cogan accident, the congressional reaction to it, the subsequent legislation, followed by the federal rule-making process leading to a new rule, and, finally, the implementation of that rule within a collegiate environment.