UPRT stands for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training. It's a specialised type of aviation training designed to teach pilots how to prevent and recover from unusual flight attitudes and upsets, often referred to as "loss of control in-flight" (LOC-I) events.

Unusual flight attitudes can occur due to various factors such as turbulence, spatial disorientation, equipment malfunctions, or pilot error. These situations can lead to dangerous situations if not handled properly, potentially resulting in loss of aircraft control and accidents. UPRT programs typically include both theoretical instruction and practical flight training.

The theoretical component covers topics such as aerodynamics of upsets, human factors, spatial disorientation, and recovery techniques. The practical training involves flying exercises aimed at teaching pilots how to recognize, prevent, and recover from unusual attitudes and upsets safely.

UPRT is increasingly emphasised in pilot training programs worldwide as a measure to enhance flight safety and improve pilots' ability to handle challenging situations effectively. It is often integrated into initial pilot training, recurrent training for experienced pilots, and advanced training programs for specific types of aircraft.

No.

A UPRT course is not an aerobatics course and should not be confused with one. A UPRT course is focused on the prevention and recovery of an aircraft upset.

This is a specialised course that requires much more in-depth knowledge, and a different skill set from just an aerobatic course.

Yes. If you haven’t been trained in specific, detailed recovery techniques, then this course is a must. Not only will you learn how to recover from the most challenging of upsets that can occur from the most benign of aerobatic manoeuvres, you’ll improve your confidence and awareness of the aircraft flight envelope and energy management.

Unlike other places who offer an “on-the-side” UPRT course, UPRT Australia is the only academy in the Asia-Pacific that was set up specifically for UPRT. Our Directors have been teaching UPRT in aircraft and full motion airliner simulators, and together our comprehensive package will, without doubt, improve your knowledge and skills. And like any other skill that is not used, it is perishable. A refresher course is highly recommended to ensure that you have that knowledge and skill readily available in the event of an aircraft upset.

Yes. Contact us directly and we can talk to you about what your needs are and what course is best for you. We will not put students in a more advanced class than is necessary and waste your time and money. We believe that each student needs to learn what is specific to them, so we won’t be teaching swept-wing aerodynamics to a RAAus pilot!

Loss Of Control-Inflight can occur to anyone. It doesn’t even need a poorly handled aircraft manoeuvre to become upset! LOC-I is over-represented in accidents and fatalities, at all ages and experience levels- yet are preventable and recoverable. No matter your operational experience or recency, a UPRT course will make you a more knowledgeable, skilled and safer pilot.

Absolutely. We only fly aircraft that have an operational envelope well beyond what is necessary to teach UPRT. Our instructors are highly trained and skilled, and we have a large safety margin built into each of our operational sorties.

Of course - we’ve all been there at some point. It’s totally natural and understandable that you might feel apprehensive about the training, G-forces or being upside down. After all, we are ground-dwelling, daylight animals. But what about if it happened for real to you in your aircraft without this training? Our courses discuss, in detail, the psychological issues surrounding an upset and being outside your comfort zone. We step you through each part of the course so that you feel more comfortable and confident with each step. It’s actually not uncommon for graduates of the UPRT Course to come back and complete an aerobatic endorsement with us.

The question should be to you- “how do you know you haven’t been close to an upset?” We know that pilots are creatures of habit, yet bad habits sneak in insidiously, and our annual or bi-annual checks don’t necessarily root them out. No matter how long you have been flying, whether you’ve been accident or incident free, your skills and knowledge are perishable, and bad habits are hard to break.

Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTD’s) have inherent limitations. Firstly, you’re aware of the impending “problem” when you do a sim session, so you’re geared up procedurally and psychologically for the startle and surprise. There’s the knowledge in the back of your mind that no matter if you get it wrong, the sim is still just a “moving box”. Lastly, no matter the fidelity of the sim, you don’t get exposed the G’s that happen in the event of an upset and recovery. One of our Directors, and instructors, Shane, is a current TRI and check pilot on the 787 Dreamliner and teaches UPRT in sim and on our aircraft. Here’s what he has to say:​

​“The sim provides a valuable tool in teaching aircraft-specific recoveries of your aircraft. But nothing can equal the experience of knowing what it feels like to be 45degrees nose down inverted in a real aircraft, not pulling that rolling-G, and knowing where your aircraft G limit is by feel. On-aircraft UPRT is the perfect complimentary course to your ongoing CTPP UPRT training.”

Yes. Some of the facets of each course are intertwined. We can construct a course for you if you want to combine the courses. Contact us and ask what we can do for you!

We can pair individual people together for formation training, or we can provide one of our instructors to be wingman! Options are available, so contact us and ask.