CFIT is still the leading cause of aircraft hull losses. How could pilot training improve to reduce the risks?

CFIT
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CFIT
CFIT majorly refers to incidences whereby an accident occurs in situations involving a collision with an obstacle such as water, terrain or with the absence of an indication of loss of control (Flight Safety Foundation 2018). Essentially, this type of catastrophes is identified in the cases where the flight crew are in control of the aircraft. With this, it has led to the introduction of mitigating approaches to help reduce the incidence rate of accidents as a result of CFIT. The organization focused on are FSF, FAA, and AOPA. This paper will discuss how pilot training will help to reduce the risks associated with CFIT.
Firstly, pilot training entails using the CFIT checklist worksheet. Majorly, it enables the pilot to make use of the available selections provided by the computer instead of using manual calculations. Fundamentally, the software avails essential information on the risks related to CFIT of a specific flight to the flight crews (Flight Safety Foundation 2018). It helps in the identification of factors which minimizes the risks and improves the pilot awareness of CFIT risk. With the use of this software, the risk of CFIT is reduced.
Secondly, training pilots on the use of an instrument rating can significantly help reduce the risks of CFIT. Indeed, this is because some of the CFIT accidents do occur when flying in a nasty mix of the mountain (Aviation Stack Exchange 2016).

Having the instrument rating in place and the pilot is trained on how to use it, it can immensely be useful in such situations. With this, the reduction of the incidence rate of CFIT is achieved.
Thirdly, pilots need to be taught to plan their routes and minimums carefully. Majorly, this occurs before one takes a flight. It entails checking of charts for minimum altitudes together with the human-made obstructions that might exist in the flight’s path (Aviation Stack Exchange 2016). It is important for the pilot to ensure that they achieve the most minimum altitude on the path selected and must stick to it. If the weather does not allow or does not meet the conditions to take a flight, it is essential to either alter the course or scrub the flight.
Moreover, the use of synthetic vision such as ForeFlight app can significantly help reduce the risks of CFIT. Primarily this is because it entails both the synthetic vision and terrain maps (Aviation Stack Exchange 2016). The pilots need to train on how to use these apps which equips them with knowledge of the present obstacles on the route which they plan to use. Notably, it is essential that the pilots always have backup plans despite using the ForeFlight technology.
Lastly, pilots need to practice mountain flying. Instructors need to train pilots on how to maneuver on mountain regions just like any other type of training (Aviation Stack Exchange 2016). In these cases, one needs to have an idea of how mountain winds flow because some might have turbulent airflow. They need to understand how the wind flows over them and the approach the pilot can take to overcome them.

References
Aviation Stack Exchange, 2016. What steps can pilots take to mitigate the risk of controlled flight into terrain (CFIT)? Retrieved from https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/22052/what-steps-can-pilots-take-to-mitigate-the-risk-of-controlled-flight-into-terrai?answertab=active#tab-top [Accessed 28 Dec. 2018]
Flight Safety Foundation. 2018. CFIT-Reduction Products. Retrieved from https://flightsafety.org/toolkits-resources/past-safety-initiatives/controlled-flight-into-terrain-cfit/cfit-reduction-products/ [Accessed 28 Dec. 2018]