- Beginning in November 1998, training modules on risk and error management and recovery training for CFIT awareness, GPWS and windshear warnings, slippery runways, and crosswind and icing conditions were added to the recurrent proficiency training curriculum for all airplane types.
- In January 1999, a policy of training to proficiency in the recurrent training and checking system was implemented. Crewmembers are to be given three opportunities during recurrent training and checks to receive additional instruction and correction while training to the acceptable level of proficiency.
- Also in January 1999, the Flight Operations Department changed its system for selecting candidates for aircraft transition and upgrade to incorporate "more objective" criteria. The standards for upgrading to captain were also revised. The new standards increase the minimum requirements from 3 years and 3,000 hours to 5 years, 4,000 hours, and 350 landing cycles with the company regardless of previous military or other aviation experience.
- In April 1999, new standardized flight instruction manuals were issued.
- A new Line Check Pilot Manual was being developed to include detailed procedures and requirements so that check pilots could consistently apply and enforce company standards and policies. The new manual was expected to be completed in October 1999.
- The Flight Operations Department developed a new all-volunteer system, to replace the previous assignment system, for all line check pilots. Candidates who volunteer for these positions are to be selected based on their ability to judge deficiencies in training and impart line flying skills. Also, the training requirements for line check pilots were increased so that the check pilots could impart better decision-making and crew coordination skills to the line pilots.
1.17.3 Korean Air Preflight Procedures
The Korean Air Operations Manual that was in effect at the time of the accident (dated May 21, 1997) stated that crewmembers were to arrive at the company dispatch center at least 1 ? hours before the scheduled departure time for international flights. According to company procedures at the time, flight crewmembers were to receive their paperwork and then gather as a group to study the paperwork. This process, referred to as the "self-briefing," typically lasted about 15 minutes. The flight crewmembers then met with their assigned SOF for the "SOF briefing." Afterward, the captain met with the flight and cabin crewmembers for a "full crew briefing."
Korean Air stated that, in March 1999, it began issuing "flight-specific manual packages" to outbound crews to ensure that pilots possessed updated route information for each trip. In addition, the company said that it developed an airport information program to promote additional route and airport familiarization. Korean Air expected that this program would be completed by the end of 1999 and that it would cover all of the airports serviced by the company's aircraft.
