12 May 2025
Ultimate High founder and boss Mark Greenfield is calling for the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to recognise the latest techniques used to recover from a stall or similar upset – and change the flight training syllabus.
How the CAA Can Tackle the Most Dangerous Risk in Aviation by Changing the Training Syllabus is the title of an article Mark has published on LinkedIn.
Marks says, “Loss of control in flight (LOC-I) remains the leading cause of fatalities in commercial aviation — a fact well understood by regulators and safety experts.
“And yet, guidance from the CAA risks undermining the very tools developed to address this issue: Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT).”
A section in TrainingCom, a publication used by the CAA to communicate with the pilot training industry, suggests UPRT is ‘not appropriate’ in light aircraft because it does not prioritise minimum height loss.
“It raises a crucial question: Are we once again prioritising traditional techniques over evidence-based best practice?” says Mark.
“Let’s be clear: UPRT emerged from a decade of global study by ICAO, EASA, the FAA, and industry bodies like the Royal Aeronautical Society,” he continues.
“The rationale was straightforward — historical recovery techniques, particularly those focused solely on minimising altitude loss, had contributed to mishandled stall recoveries and subsequent LOC-I accidents. ICAO Doc 10011 highlights that an overemphasis on conserving altitude, rather than reducing angle of attack, can delay or even prevent recovery.
“This is not a theoretical problem. Teaching pilots that minimising height loss is the overriding goal — even in the face of a developing upset — can provoke secondary stalls or worsen the situation.
“The recovery goal must be to arrest the divergence from normal flight, re-establish control, and return to stable flight. Only then should altitude loss be considered – and if the recovery technique is correct, then this will be minimised.
“The ‘push-roll-power-stabilise’ technique introduced in advanced UPRT is based on aerodynamic principles that apply across aircraft types.
“While the specific dynamics of large jets and light aircraft differ, the core human and aerodynamic factors remain consistent. Stress, startle, and surprise limit a pilot’s cognitive capacity. Simplicity and consistency in training matter more than ever in these moments.
“To exclude UPRT techniques from light aircraft syllabi fosters a dual standard and creates confusion for developing pilots — especially as many later transition to multi-pilot, commercial operations. The intent of FCL.745.A was clear: to embed these universal principles early, not silo them into jet conversion courses.”
Mark finishes with a clear call to action for the CAA.
“The CAA has an opportunity to lead. Aligning training guidance with the best practices emerging from ICAO, EASA, and the LOCART initiative can ensure that pilots — regardless of aircraft type — are prepared to prevent and recover from upsets effectively.
“Let’s not repeat history. Let’s train for reality.”
