Challenges and possible solutions for Aviation Training in 2023 and beyond.

White paper by IAAPS and EAMTC

This paper is based on inputs from the aviation maintenance and pilot training industry both facing challenges in their training development efforts. The Acronym ATO (Approved Training Organization) is applicable for pilot- as well as for maintenance training.

The major challenges for the Training industry are:

·      Sustainability of the training programs and the operation of the industry

·      Interesting enough trainees (“the right stuff”) for the professions in the medium and long term

·      Employing a sufficient number of suitably qualified instructors

·      Modernizing the theoretical knowledge instruction and testing

·      Integration of new training technologies into the training system

·      Enablement for training development in terms of legal options and economic feasibility

·      Oversight by suitably qualified NAA inspectors, who are familiar with the new training paradigms, technologies and competence criteria.

These challenges are linked with each other and it will require therefore a holistic and cooperative approach from industry, NAAs and EASA to find suitable solutions that will enable our “aviation eco-system” to stay healthy, successful and safe.

Sustainability:

·      Develop sustainable training syllabus that utilizes modern training technologies and processes. Reduce the actual CO2 footprint of an Integrated ATP syllabus (approx. 25t CO2) and evaluate all options for an ecological sustainable syllabus. One big part are the required landings at the end of the 1^st MPA type rating, which stand for more than 30% of the entire CO2 production of the training. The starting point here is based on the data from a program for the qualification of CRCs (Cruise Relief Co-pilots). It was developed by a German ATO and a B777 freighter operator and has qualified hundreds of young pilots who are now 1^st officer or even already captain on the B777 without any base training during their qualification (example from the pilot training domain).

 ·      Enable distance learning and exams for blended learning options to reduce travelling and lectures in classes.

The right trainees in sufficient numbers:

·      The aviation industry will have to develop widely accepted selection programs to ensure the intake of the “right stuff” into our training system. This must ensure that it is fit or purpose, gender neutral and affordable. The other even more important challenge for our industry will be the availability of affordable financing with a limited risk for the young prospect pilots. Finally yet importantly, the industry stakeholders must agree on sustainable career perspectives for potential young pilots and

Maintenance engineers who will be needed in CAT-, Business-, GA and Rotorcraft operations.

The right instructors in sufficient numbers:

·      Develop the suitable improvements in the ongoing RMT.0194 to ensure a suitably qualified instructor work force for the future pilot training. This is time critical not least because of the fact, that the instructors from the generation of the “Baby Boomers” are now leaving the pilot training system in increasing numbers.

Modernization of the Theoretical Knowledge instruction:

·      Take care of the identified needs to improve the TKI. EASA has initiated a task force to look into an improvement of the integration of TKI and practical training. EASA has initiated the SIA 3011 “Training Effectiveness and Competence of Personnel” and has put focus on this subject in the new EPAS.

·      This will require a paradigm change in qualification for all domains and develop an “outcome oriented” qualification path to replace the “content oriented” lecturing as it is used in TKI now. This will require the transformation of the training paradigm of the TKI. The actual TKI, which is focused on the transfer of detailed knowledge in the different subjects of the various syllabi must be transformed into a new form that is focused on the enablement of the Application of knowledge as it is defined as a core competence in the CBTA approach.

Integration of new training technologies:

·      Develop a technologically state of the art and economical feasible set of requirements in our European legislation, which will enable ATOs and the providers of new training technologies (VR, Digitalisation etc.) to integrate these new technologies in a safe and productive manner that will improve the training outcome and the sustainability of the future training programs.

Enablement for training development in terms of legal options and economic feasibility:

·      These challenges are interlinked with each other and will require a coordinated effort by all stakeholders to enable our “aviation training eco-system” to develop solutions for these critical and demanding development tasks in a coordinated and timely manner.

·      The probable solutions will require changes in our legislation including changes in hard law and the development of suitable AMCs and GM

·      The legal requirements must enable ATOs to develop new training syllabi, which may deviate from existing hard law requirements by utilizing new training tools and technologies provided that they can demonstrate, that the training outcome is as good or better than existing training syllabi. That means, that either an equivalent or higher level of safety is achieved.

·      Hard law must be focused on the long lasting systemic requirements and the detailed descriptions, how the requirements are achieved, must be outlined in AMC's and GM so that necessary amendments are triggered by new developments and can be done with minimal efforts and in a timely manner.

 If the stakeholders of our aviation training system will successfully meet the described challenges, we will jointly achieve an enablement for ATO's to develop new training processes for a sustainable training for the different target groups.

This will include the modernization of the instructor qualification and the integration of new training technologies into all forms of aviation training. This will create the opportunity for ATO's to develop new state of the art training that meets the required competence profiles and assures the necessary quality of training in all dimensions.