# 2016-208 Careers, Cease-Training, Course Failure, Pilot, Training Failure

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2017–04–06

The grievor contested the decision to cease his helicopter pilot training. The grievor claimed that his ability to meet the required standard and continue training was adversely affected by poor flight and instructor continuity, a new and untested training plan (TP), and a missed review flight that resulted in reduced practice time.

The Commandant (Cmdt) of 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School stated that there was no evidence that the lack of flight continuity or of instructor consistency contributed to the grievor's deficiencies, as the instructor continuity complained of was in the early phase of training where the grievor had no difficulties, and any gaps in flight continuity were overcome with review trips. The Cmdt also disagreed that TP 3.3 was detrimental to the grievor's training and stated that the new TP provided both more overall hours and more consistent training than the previous TP. The Director of Air Force Training found that the grievor had been given every opportunity to succeed and noted that the grievor's deficiencies were well documented and his inconsistent flying behaviour was not trainable within the “building block approach” used in Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot Training.

The Committee found that the information in the grievance file did not demonstrate, on a balance of probabilities, that the grievor's ability to meet the standard was adversely affected by a lack of flight and instructor continuity. Neither was it negatively impacted by a lack of review flights or the introduction of a new TP.

Rather, the Committee found that the grievor encountered difficulties in his training that were primarily attributable to his own deficiencies rather than external factors. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that the grievor had failed to achieve the required standard within the allocated time and, therefore, the decision to cease the grievor's helicopter pilot training was justified and policy compliant.

FA Decision Summary

The Commander Royal Canadian Air Force, acting as the FA, agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendation that the grievance be denied.