Meet the Speakers & Moderators

Captain Philip Adrian, FRAeS has served the global aviation industry in many roles for over 35 years and is considered a Subject Matter Expert on Aviation Training, Simulation, Operational Suitability, EBT/CBTA, UPRT and world-wide operational regulatory affairs. In addition, Philip is a frequent speaker at global aviation events on these subjects.

He is strongly engaged in global regulatory affairs via ICAO, EASA, FAA and the RAeS. Amongst others, he is the current co-Chair of the EASA ATPG and the chair of the RAeS FCTG.

Philip currently serves as the CEO of MPS, the leading Fixed Base Simulator manufacturer for the Airbus A320 and Boeing B737NG and MAX series, as well as ancillary tools for the professional flight training industry. He leads two factories, one in the Netherlands and one in Germany as well as an innovation team in the Netherlands and a sales team which spans the globe. MPS partners with airlines, training organizations, OEMs and TDMs to provide tailored and innovative solutions for all training needs.

Capt. Adrian started as the MPS CEO in May 2018 after 11 years at Boeing, where he fulfilled multiple roles. He joined Boeing as an airplane instructor and examiner on 737, 777 and 787 in August 2007 and further served as Boeing’s 737/737 MAX Chief Technical Pilot, Assistant Chief Pilot, Chief Pilot Regulatory Affairs and lastly as Chief Pilot Regulatory Strategy. He was responsible for setting and coordinating global training standards and regulatory EIS support of new Boeing airplanes such as the 747-8, 787, 737 MAX and 777X ranges. He was also involved in the design and flight testing of all new Boeing products, including the NMA range.

Prior to his roles at Boeing, Philip was an airline Captain, Instructor/Examiner and served as Head of Training as well as in other management and executive positions for a major European airline. He joined the airline in 1992 after Officers and Flight training in the Royal Netherlands Air Force, where his aviation career started, and serving as a Flight Instructor.

During the entirety of his career, Philip has operated, flight tested and instructed for over 13.000 flight hours. He holds 737, 777 and 787 Type Ratings, and has instructed and examined on all those types. Philip has also served on numerous rulemaking tasks in the industry, including FAA ARCs, EASA RMTs and many boards regarding Flight Safety, Aviation Security and Crew Resource management. He co-chaired the FAA ARC regarding UPRT and chaired the ICAO LOCART initiative and EASA RMT.0581/0582 on UPRT.

Currently, Philip chairs the EASA RMT.0599 regarding EBT and Performance Based Rulemaking, leads the EASA ABLE (Aviation Blended Learning Environment) task while also serving as a Team Leader of the Training Expert Group supporting EASA RMT.0196.
Captain Philip Adrian, FRAeS has served the global aviation industry in many roles for over 35 years and is considered a Subject Matter Expert on Aviation Training, Simulation, Operational Suitability, EBT/CBTA, UPRT and world-wide operational regulatory affairs. In addition, Philip is a frequent speaker at global aviation events on these subjects.

He is strongly engaged in global regulatory affairs via ICAO, EASA, FAA and the RAeS. Amongst others, he is the current co-Chair of the EASA ATPG and the chair of the RAeS FCTG.

Keynotes – Combined Session (Pilot/ATO/Cabin Crew/Maintenance)
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 1

The New Training Paradigm

Jean-Michel has over 30 years experience in aviation, in various executive positions whilst flying as a commercial airline pilot and acting as Flight Training Instructor/Examiner.

In 2019, he founded AMFTA as part of his vision to improve flight safety via the creation of a harmonised flight training level worldwide.

Previously, Jean-Michel was global Head of Flight Training & VP Training and Flight Ops for major jet and turboprop airline manufacturers and has held executive positions including CEO & Member of Executive Board for different companies.

Throughout his career, Jean-Michel has flown for many different airlines and still flies on a regular basis. His wide airline experience also extends to the start-up and rrestructuring of several airlines.

Jean-Michel trained at the Ecole d’Air France and began his career working for a major airline, before joining the French Aviation Authorities to manage ab intio & advanced training.

He is current on the A320/A330/A350 & A380 and is still acting as Instructor and Examiner on both Airbus aircraft and light aircraft.

Keynotes – Combined Session (Pilot/ATO/Cabin Crew/Maintenance)
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 1

The Aircraft Manufacturer Flight Training Association (AMFTA)

At EATS 2024 AMFTA will delve into the critical aspects of pilot training, examining why regulatory compliance often masks inadequate educational outcome and how robust foundational training is pivotal for pilot’s long-term competence and growth. Specifically, AMFTA will be outlining the discrepancies in global training standards and the essential role authorities should play in ensuring genuinely effective pilot education.

Cedric Buch serves as a CBTA (Competency-Based Training and Assessment) expert within the Brussels Airlines cabin crew training department, actively engaging in multiple projects related to competency-based training and assessment for cabin crew members. His career spans 16 years as an active cabin crew member, operating on various aircraft, from short-haul to long-haul missions. Currently, he continues to serve as a purser and instructor for Brussels Airlines’ A32F operations.

With an academic background, Cedric initially assumed the role of a CRM (Crew Resource Management) instructor, subsequently expanding his expertise to include inflight instruction and safety instruction. Since 2020, he has been actively involved in numerous projects within the Brussels Airlines training department.

Cedric has assisted the Nominated Person Crew Training and the Head of Cabin and Joint Training with implementing a cabin crew competency framework at Brussels Airlines. This framework is currently in use for training and assessing cabin crew members during their operational duties.

Presently, Cedric is actively participating in the implementation of competency-based training and assessment for both the Lufthansa Group Initial training program and the recurrent training program at Brussels Airlines.

Cabin Crew Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

Workshop: Shaping the Dimensions of Performance

Indeed, CBTA is perceived as the most suitable method of training and is a common subject of discussion that continuously confirms its benefits. However, there are challenges in implementing such a concept and it’s not done overnight. Somehow, we do need to start and progressively apply the principles into the training until a complete transition from a traditional training into a full CBTA can take place. But this often turns out to be a challenge, especially when dealing with the non-technical competencies leading to its implementation not to take place at a pace at which the subject is being discussed.

Taking a deep dive into the issues often confirms that a better understanding of the design and development process of CBTA contents as well as the transition phase would be beneficial to those responsible for its implementation. So, how can such principles be adopted? What is an adapted competency model and why do I need one? How are performance criteria defined, evaluated and graded? What’s the difference between individual task assessment and competency assessment in a scenario-based exercise?

To shed light into such issues, we would like to use this workshop to enable the participants to familiarise themselves to a challenging part of the design and development process. Let us jointly practice, discuss and share our expertise on the development of CBTA contents and shape the dimensions of performance.

This workshop will consist of exploring a scenario-based training example and facilitated discussions to encourage participants to understand the process in developing vital CBTA components.

Aims & objectives:

• Practice applying the process of designing and developing CBTA contents for a specific scenario-based
  training example
• Identify and discuss competencies while adapting these into an adapted competency model.
• Identify and develop performance criteria
• Practice developing a grading scale for the relevant competencies

30 years in the aviation world as first officer, captain and instructor for different airlines, with a focus on long-haul operation and an interest for instruction, pedagogy and more recently EBT implementation.

TRI A330 Airline Pilot Assistant ATO PR and PN Training as CorsairPilot, EBT investigations, First Officer B747, Captain IPL/TRI MD80 DC1.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

Bringing Facts and Metrics to Evidenced Based Training – The Instructor View

PERCEVAL, short for Pilot Behavior and Competency Evaluation, is a French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) innovation project, bringing together a broad spectrum of consortium partners. Its main objective is nothing less than the transformation of training through a factual approach to observable behaviours; looking at recurrent pilot training, crew training, ab initio and training for air traffic controllers.

PERCEVAL consortium partners are ENAC (National pilot school), ENS Paris Saclay (research), Corsair, SimAero and Aviasim, Thales (lead) DGAC (National Aviation Authority, sponsor).

This present paper continues where the presentation at WATS left off and focuses on the instructor view.

How may observable behavior indicators, OBIs, be built from contextualized, non-intrusive, multimodal data captured from the crew and the simulation platform, in real training scenarios? How may such data and analysis be presented and usefully integrated in instructor workflow as a pedagogical aid for EBT assessment and debrief?

Finally we will give pilot and instructor feedback from training sessions done in 2024 at SIMAERO’s training center at Roissy with CORSAIR pilots and instructors. How was it to train, monitor and debrief with the Perceval tool set?

Insights will include:

• How the approach enables objectivity of observation and root cause evaluation
• Integrate into instructor workflow to become a practical asset; “My view as instructor”: Practical examples and real data
• Pilot and instructor feedback from training sessions during the year: acceptability , improvement suggestions,  work still to do.

The consortium partners will together present progress and applicability in real training scenarios, practical tool use and the instructor viewpoint.

The results of PERCEVAL will be applicable and highly relevant for any organization looking at Evidence Based Training, worldwide.

Carlo de Cocq is the Managing Director of AviTMS, a company specializing in automating training, learning, and quality management solutions for the aviation industry. With a foundation established in 2007, AviTMS has been a key player in enhancing efficiency for airlines, ANSPs, flight schools, and more. Carlo de Cocq brings over plenty of aviation expertise, focusing on innovation, automation, and tailored solutions. At EATS 2024, Carlo will share his insights on streamlining training processes and reducing human error through automation.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Finishing his Physics study, Rik de Swart started working in Engineering, performing Finite Element Calculations for computer-chip manufacturing-machine company ASML in the Netherlands. After that he shortly worked at Philips in a similar role and then at Singulus OMP as Installation Project Manager. Following this, Rik continued his career at BOC Edwards, as Account Manager and then at ATOS Origin as Project Manager in the IT business. Having worked for some years at Neways Advanced Applications, in 2011 Rik started as Sales Manager Research Technology at Bosch Rexroth Motion Simulation, which now is part of the Van Halteren Group.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

The Advantages of Motion for Cabin Emergency Evacuation Training

A critical and important way to improve the realism for Cabin Trainers is to add realistic dynamic aircraft behavior to the Cabin Trainer. In the past, Cabin Trainers were equipped with a positioning system to simulate different crash positions of the aircraft. However, for the realistic simulation of in-flight and on-ground dynamic aircraft behavior, the positioning systems are not suitable; a motion system capable of both static positioning and the dynamic motion cueing tasks is required.

The value of motion simulation for pilot training applications has been proven over the years. Correctly applied motion cues provide the pilot with (time critical) information on the current state of the aircraft. As in the real aircraft, this helps the pilot with his task to control the aircraft. Furthermore, motion cueing adds to the pilot’s sense of realism, which has a positive effect on training.

For Cabin Training, a motion system has a similar or even higher effect on training as in Full Flight Simulators for pilot training. In case of an emergency, often a result of a hard landing or severe turbulence, the cabin crew has to make critical decisions based on the information they perceive.

Training with a positioning platform provides situations to train evacuation scenario’s, it however does not provide situational awareness to the cabin crew, which is in all emergency situations essential.

Adding dynamic motion to the Cabin Trainer results in a training device in which realistic, aircraft specific, motion cues are being presented to the cabin crew, enabling the cabin crew to establish awareness of the emergency situation and the actions to be taken.

With the above arguments taken into account, the question remains what type of dynamic motion system qualifies for Cabin Training. The following factors shall be taken into account:

1. Motion perception
2. Safety
3. Environment
4. Experiences from other users

Delfim Zambujo das Dores was born in Lisbon on February 4, 1969.

He joined the Portuguese Air Force Academy (PoAFA) in 1991 having completed a degree in Military Aeronautical Sciences, in the specialty of Electrical Engineering – Avionics Branch, where he received several awards for best student.

He completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering – Dynamics and Control at Florida State University (United States of America) in 2005, on the theme: “Feedback Control for Counterflow Thrust Vectoring with a Turbine Engine: Experiment Design and Robust Control Design and Implementation.

Within the scope of the functions performed throughout the military career, there are: – Lecturer and researcher in several areas including unmanned aircraft in the PoAFA (1998-2005); Head of the Airworthiness Certification Team of the Engineering and Programs Department at PoAF (2008-2014); – National representative in the Forum of European Military Airworthiness Authorities (including the Executive Level) under the aegis of the European Defense Agency (2008-2014); – Deputy for Airworthiness of the National Aeronautical Authority (2013-2014); – Chairman of the Technical Committee 190 – Aviation, Defense and Space of the Portuguese Quality Institute (2014-2016); – Deputy Head of the Military University Evaluation and Quality Office (2014-2016); – Defense Attaché at the Portuguese Embassies in Timor-Leste, Australia and Indonesia (2016-2019); – Head of the IUM Evaluation and Quality Office (2019-2021); and Director of the Portuguese Military University Research Center.

In terms of his civilian career, he performed the following functions: avionics engineer, EASA avionics Compliance Verification Engineer and Head of Design on an EASA Part 21 Organization (2006-2016); Technical Director of an aircraft avionic component maintenance organization – EASA Part 145 (2010- 2016) and Technical Director of an aircraft maintenance training organization – EASA Part 147 (2008- 2016). Furthermore, he was Lecturer on aircraft maintenance and EASA regulation matters on a university (2005-2016) as well as trainer on an EASA Part 147 organization (avionics and regulation matters) (2007 up to now). Between 2020 and 2023, he was a senior advisor of LAS Group. Since January 2024, he is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) / Deputy Accountable Manager of LAS Maintenance, an EASA Part 145 Organization.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 2

Training the Next Aircraft Maintenance Generation: Synergy Between Human Factors, Emotional Learning and Social Skills

In the fast-evolving maintenance and repair industry, training programs for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) must align with technological advancements and industry requirements. This presentation emphasizes the critical need for AME training programs that integrate Human Factors (HF), Emotional Learning (EL), and Social Skills to enhance daily performance.

Close collaboration between Training and Maintenance Organizations is essential to understand training needs that lead to comprehensive training programs, ensuring that the Maintenance Industry benefits from a highly skilled, emotionally resilient and adaptable workforce.

Alongside critical HF in AME performance, emotions and social skills significantly influence AME responses and overall job performance. Therefore, integrating Emotional Learning (EL) and Social Skills into HF training can greatly enhance teamwork, effective communication, and conflict resolution.

Transformative training programs that go beyond traditional knowledge acquisition are needed, fostering personal growth and the development of new skills through experiential learning, gamification, and immersive training programs.

This presentation explores the synergy between HF, EL, and social skills, demonstrating how their integration can lead to substantial improvements in AME daily performance. By focusing on these areas, these training programs can produce confident and adaptable workers who perform their duties more effectively and safely.

In conclusion, this presentation demonstrates that by leading in the adoption of comprehensive training strategies that include HF, EL, and social skills, training organizations equip maintenance organizations with a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to meet the demands of a dynamic industry.

Jenny is an accredited Aviation Psychologist, a senior consultant with the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) and an EAAP (European Association for Aviation Psychology) Board member. Prior to joining NLR, she worked for many years as a selection and training expert for high-stress positions firstly with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and later at Air Traffic Control The Netherlands (LVNL). Jenny holds a Master’s degree in Social and Organizational Psychology from Utrecht University.

Approved Training Organisation Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Gender Differences in Pilot Training

The aviation industry has long been characterized as male-dominated, with training programmes traditionally designed by and for men. Selection and training are validated using groups that consist of around 95% men and even the aircraft themselves have of course been designed, built and maintained primarily by men for men. This inherent gender bias poses a challenge for the industry, perhaps even more so now we are facing a substantial pilot shortage.

There have, in the past, been many interventions and actions to increase women’s representation in piloting, both civil and military aviation. Gibbon (2004) speaks of a number of measures taken, such as increasing peer support, female role models and female buddy programmes. In 2008 the “Teaching women how to fly” research project even identified 101 different ideas on how to increase the number of female pilots (Hamilton, 2014). In their top 10 ways to increase female success in pilot training they included #5 Develop “Female Friendly Flight Training” specifying that more simulator time is needed. The “Teaching women how to fly”-project concluded that there is a need to recognize the difference between male and female learning styles and strengths recommending that sequence of instruction is flexible.

A thorough literature review (outside of aviation) conducted in 2022, concluded that gender influences training outcomes and that a gender-sensitive approach would be much more appropriate (Kroese, 2022). This presentation deals with actual, scientifically proven, differences between men and women when it comes to flying, how it could affect training and how can we cater to and embrace these differences. We also present the results from a recent study comparing male and female trainees using data from a major European flight school.

Carey began his aviation career with the Royal Air Force flying helicopters and has held an ATPL. Carey specialises in instructor training as well as developing CRM and human factors programmes. He was Chairman of the RAeS Human Factors Group and Chairman of the Ops & Licensing Focus Group for the EASA Human Factors Advisory Group. He is a member of the Flight Operations Human Factors Advisory Panel to the CAA, a CRM Trainer Examiner, and is author of the book ‘Airmanship’.

Carey has worked with may airlines worldwide implementing CBTA and EBT programmes, specifically in developing their instructors. As CEO of LMQ, he designed the Airbus Instructor Course and was a standardisation tutor for Airbus, as well as playing a key part in developing the A350 Type Rating course. He was the primary author of the majority of the ICAO/EASA Competencies and core member of the team that developed the EBT assessment and grading process.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

Getting CBTA and EBT Back on Track – Part 2

Last year I challenged the changes in the Observable Behaviours (OBs) that went against the data we have collected worldwide over 25 years. I showed that some of the key OBs have been removed or the language changed, and others have been added that are either unobservable, unclear or duplicated.

This year, I will challenge the changes that have been made to the grading process and associated word pictures, specifically the removal of the How Well dimension, which is a critical component of the VENN methodology and has been the way instructors have assessed trainees since the beginning of aviation. The original purpose was to assess How Well the trainees demonstrated the OBs not How Well they did overall, which is reflected in the grade and therefore an unnecessary duplication. Most significantly the idea of adding How Often to How Well encourages  mathematical techniques, and using the lowest of How Many, How Often and the Outcome really undermines the foundations of CBTA, as the focus may become on tasks and not competencies.

In the Word Pictures I will further question the paradox of the term ‘not unsafe’ as this often creates confusion and doubt, and show that using ‘reduction in safety margin’ is better; plus the duplication in terms such as ‘regularly’ that do not differentiate grades.

I will finally explore the question of using numbers in the grading system and whether it is demotivational for trainees, which of course is not desirable, or is just disappointing.

Broad industry background, holding management and product strategy positions in various companies and countries, with substantial time spent looking at innovative solutions. After a start in the energy sector and moving on to telecom and transportation, Margareta is now leading innovation initiatives with a focus on training in civil aviation. Specifically looking at behavioural and cognitive metrics to evaluate competences in a fact based and fair way. Innovation for the human individual and team interacting with a complex system, often with mission critical responsibility.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

Bringing Facts and Metrics to Evidenced Based Training – The Instructor View

PERCEVAL, short for Pilot Behavior and Competency Evaluation, is a French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) innovation project, bringing together a broad spectrum of consortium partners. Its main objective is nothing less than the transformation of training through a factual approach to observable behaviours; looking at recurrent pilot training, crew training, ab initio and training for air traffic controllers.

PERCEVAL consortium partners are ENAC (National pilot school), ENS Paris Saclay (research), Corsair, SimAero and Aviasim, Thales (lead) DGAC (National Aviation Authority, sponsor).

This present paper continues where the presentation at WATS 2024 left off and focuses on the instructor view.

How may observable behavior indicators, OBIs, be built from contextualized, non-intrusive, multimodal data captured from the crew and the simulation platform, in real training scenarios? How may such data and analysis be presented and usefully integrated in instructor workflow as a pedagogical aid for EBT assessment and debrief?

Finally we will give pilot and instructor feedback from training sessions done in 2024 at SIMAERO’s training center at Roissy with CORSAIR pilots and instructors. How was it to train, monitor and debrief with the Perceval tool set?

Insights will include:

• How the approach enables objectivity of observation and root cause evaluation
• Integrate into instructor workflow to become a practical asset; “My view as instructor”: Practical examples and real data
• Pilot and instructor feedback from training sessions during the year: acceptability , improvement suggestions,  work still to do.

The consortium partners will together present progress and applicability in real training scenarios, practical tool use and the instructor viewpoint.

The results of PERCEVAL will be applicable and highly relevant for any organization looking at Evidence Based Training, worldwide.

Michael is TiER1’s Aviation Market Lead and has been working alongside the aviation industry for the past five years. With an understanding that an organization’s potential lies within the potential of its people, he focuses on empowering employees to do their best work so that airlines can continue to realize their full potential.

By leveraging experience design principles to drive behavior change, Michael has helped activate a variety of training initiatives for both above-wing and below-wing audiences. His work with airlines has given him the chance to gain a diverse understanding of how complex airline operations are. Across all their work, Michael & TiER1 often find themselves at the intersection of people & performance and always put the human at the center of the solutions they design, deliver, and activate.

Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife Catherine in the mountains of Colorado, setting off the fire alarms when attempting to whip up something in the kitchen, and looking up in the sky to guess what airplane is flying overhead.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Modernizing Training to Engage the Modern Employee

Preparing engaging and effective training for the next generation requires evolved thinking and methods in training design. While our industry has embraced innovative research and thinking around approaches for training, instructional design, and even learning experience design over the past few decades, pushing ourselves into the design of experiences that impact performance (not just learning) is the stepwise change needed to support the next generation.

Human behavior is complex and key moments (like COVID) shape the motivations of each generation. As training designers who are building future-oriented training organizations and delivery methods, we all need to incorporate evidence-based techniques from adjacent fields (like psychology, neuroscience, or behavioral economics) to drive behavior change.

Allow us to share insights and expertise on how to incorporate this “performance science” into your work. By moving beyond the initial classroom/lesson, you will see how to apply findings on habit formation, learning and forgetting curves, behavioral nudges, inner work, and neuroscience-based communication that can solve for factors that drive performance but aren’t knowledge or skill.

From this presentation, you will leave with tangible and applicable methods that you can apply to your current training needs immediately. Furthermore, you will take home a working canvas to allow you to keep processing back in your typical work context.

I began my professional journey as an aeronautical engineer. I hold a Masters Degree in Aeodynamics and Flight Dynamics and initially worked as a simulator software developer for Cranfield University before advancing to a role as an aeroelastics engineer at British Aerospace Airbus, Filton in 1996. I transitioned to aviation, joining BAE SYSTEMS military as a First Officer in 2000, where I flew aircraft including the Jetstream 31, Bae 146, and Hawker 125. Subsequently, I moved to easyJet airlines Ltd on the B737, and then the A320 family, a position I have held for the past 21 years, gaining substantial operational experience and expertise in pilot training.

Driven by a passion for the transformative power of airborne training and a commitment to helping others and sharing knowledge, I started training pilots in 1997 on single-engine light aircraft as a Flight Instructor (FI) before becoming a Flight Examiner (FE).

I am a current A320 training Captain and SE. For the last 12 years, I have served as a Type Rating Instructor, Type Rating Examiner and as a tutor for TRI (Instuctor) courses. I have recently earned a Masters of Science degree in Air Transport Management from Cranfield University.

I have held the position of Operational Standards Captain and am currently Training Manager responsible for overseeing training data analytics. I am the proud father of three boys, and I enjoy losing tennis when playing against them.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 6

Instructor Concordance in Evidence-Based Training: Practical Approaches and Insights

Instructor concordance, also know as inter-rater reliability, is essential for validating training data within airline programs. Accurate measurement of agreement and alignment among instructors is crucial to ensure the integrity of the feedback loop that underpins the effectiveness of evidence-based training (EBT). Agreement and alignment are the two main metrics that determine Instructor concordance. Agreement is defined as consistency in grading among Instructors and alignment is the accuracy of Instructors grades in relation to a golden standard defined by a panel of experts.

This presentation will share what we have learned as a team by addressing several challenges in maintaining instructor concordance:

1. Diverse Assessment Contexts: We discuss how meaningful concordance measurements can be achieved when instructors evaluate different sets of pilots.
2. Categorical Data Challenges: We discuss the challenges and techniques for effective measurement of agreement and alignment in a controlled grading environment

To achieve baseline Evidence-Based Training (EBT), easyJet will share how it has adapted best practice from other industries to comply with the EASA regulations and improve training effectiveness. We have adopted two distinct methods to assess instructor concordance and address the outlined challenges.

This presentation will detail the practical implementation, benefits and drawbacks of these methods.

• Method 1: This approach uses real data within the EBT evaluation context. It enables us to derive robust agreement metrics and to identify and quantify potential instructor bias.
• Method 2: This approach uses anonymous data collected when Instructors observe the same controlled event. It enables us to quantify alignment and agreement across the instructor population and discerns conceptual confusion in instructor assessments, providing a comprehensive framework for addressing and rectifying assessment discrepancies.

Overall Impact: By employing these methods, we continuously enhanced instructor concordance levels and validate our training data. We will share how this enables us to develop innovative approaches and leverage data to tailor training programs using detailed data metrics.

An experienced senior leader with positions including Chief Operations Officer, Head of Flying, and Head of Training & Test. Nathan gained much of his 26 years flying, management and educational experience in the UK Ministry of Defence and US Department of Defense flying various aircraft including the Harrier, F-15, F-16, F-18, and F-35. A seasoned manager, commercial operator, experimental test pilot and flight instructor, Nathan is no stranger to cutting-edge design, complex projects, advanced training techniques, and next-generation technology. He was part of the groundbreaking $1.7 trillion F-35 development program and conducted the first-ever F-35 launch and recovery on the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Nathan is a Chartered Manager and UK STEM Ambassador. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Chartered Management Institute, the Institute of Leadership and Management, and is an Upper Freeman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots. A valedictorian graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School and Royal Air Force Central Flying School, Nathan also holds an honours degree in Aerospace Engineering and is a highly decorated retired senior military officer with gallantry awards from Her Majesty the Queen and meritorious service awards from the President of the United States.

Nathan is the published author of Hazard Spectrum – Life in the Danger Zone by the Fleet Air Arm’s
Top Gun.

ATO (Approved Training Organisation) Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 6

Optimising New Technology as a Learning Accelerator

Next generation technology is developing at an unprecedented rate with new tech products being released on an almost daily basis, but just because a technology is ground-breaking, intriguing, and possibly fashionable doesn’t necessarily mean it is fitfor-
purpose for an ATO. Choosing which technology is used, how it is used, and when, is key to harnessing the power of this technological evolution and accelerating the lifelong learning journey.

Choosing the right technology is difficult; some products are free, most are not, some offer time efficiencies while others offer cost benefits and all offer something new and exciting. But how this new technology is totally incorporated into the learning eco-system
is vitally important to its success. New technology should always be an efficient and cohesive enabler. We will discuss the important considerations associated with choosing and adapting to any new technology introduced into a training system.

The rapid transition of training technology from physical to virtual and paper to cloud means digital trust has never been so important, not only from the perspective of data protection but also from a truth checking point-of-view. Learners trust that the information ATOs and regulators present is true. Truth data is becoming increasing challenging to decipher in our technology-rich world, but it is safety critical that the information our current and future pilots are presented with is always real and true. Guarding against technology enablers that introduce falsehoods and negative learning is an essential part of assessing which technology is fit for you, for your team and ultimately fit for purpose.

Industry insight will be drawn from personal test pilot and flight instructor experience testing and evaluating both military and civilian aircraft and cutting-edge next-gen technologies.

I hold CPL and UPRT FI qualifications and passionately believe in the value that good UPRT programmes can materially improve Flight Safety.

2011-present     Founder and CEO Ultimate High UPRT Academy
Delivering on-aircraft, academic and FSTD programmes to Airlines, ATOs, Business Jet operators, and National Aviation Authorities. Represented UK on EASA Rule Making group .0581 on Advanced UPRT and helped to write FCL.745.A on Advanced UPRT which becomes mandatory on 20^th Dec 2019.
SME on UPRT with numerous presentations around Europe including EATS, twice at the IFCTC at RAeS, EASA safety conference in Luxembourg and Risk and Startle Symposium in Netherlands.

2009-2011.   Director Aerospace Training at QinetiQ. Managed Empire Test Pilot School
Restructured school to meet international client needs and increased turnover by 90%. Worked with US Navy Test pilot school and EPNER. Promoted to run an additional 6 aviation businesses at QQ.

2001-2008   Founder and CEO Ultimate High
Delivering high quality advanced flight training (aerobatics, formation, spin-upset) as well as providing flight experiences. Qualified as Unlimited level display pilot flying air shows in the Extra 300. Managed (and appeared in) over 50 TV, film and advert projects.

1987 -2000   Risk Manager at two major US Investment Banks
MSc equivalent from Duke University North Carolina. European Head of Risk at Lehman Brothers. Left as Global Head of Risk for Credit Suisse Financial Products

1982-1986   RAF Pilot
Officer training at RAFC Cranwell then Basic and Advanced Jet training. Completed fast jet training but was medically grounded.

ATO (Approved Training Organisation) Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 6

5 Years of Mandatory On-Aircraft UPRT – LOC-I Challenge Sorted?

In December 2019 EASA implemented mandatory on-aircraft Upset and Prevention Recovery Training (UPRT) to mitigate Loss of Control in Flight (LOC-I) incidents. I’m going to  evaluate whether this initiative has adequately addressed the problem, examining the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of its implementation.

The GOOD includes the positive outcomes of UPRT, such as improved pilot awareness, enhanced skills in recognising and recovering from upset conditions, and a far better understanding of the critical Human Factors associated with startle and surprise, together with the ability to build pilot resilience to Flight Upsets.

However, challenges persist. The BAD encompasses lack of alignment between ‘basic’ and ‘advanced’ UPRT at some ATOs, limited regulatory guidance sometimes resulting in ‘box ticking’, and very limited regulatory oversight with almost no NAA SMEs.

The UGLY side of UPRT involves the standards of both dedicated UPRT FIs and perhaps more importantly the deficiencies in both the existing PPL/CPL training syllabus and the inability of many FIs to deliver stall and incipient spin events effectively and safely.

The challenge of assessing the effectiveness of UPRT in preventing LOC-I is substantial and the industry should focus on establishing the frequency of near UPRT events (such as Loss of Margin on Go-around) to enable a more accurate data driven assessment and evaluation of real-world needs.

I’ll conclude by suggesting that while on-aircraft UPRT represents a significant step forward in addressing LOC-I, ongoing evaluation and refinement are necessary. Ensuring consistent, comprehensive and high-quality training industrywide, with particular focus on the critical Human Factors issues, are crucial steps towards maximizing its effectiveness.

Stuart Gruber is the Sr. Airline Training Deployment Manager for Boeing Global Services. His international team is responsible for supporting customer airlines with their implementation of the Boeing CBTA program.

Stuart joined Boeing in 2022 with an extensive background of senior roles in airline training and flight operations management.

In addition, Stuart has aviation regulatory experience as a Flight Operations & Training Inspector and has been a member of a number of EASA rule making tasks including Chairman of the A318 OEB and EASA Lead Pilot for the B787 OEB.

Stuart is an experienced pilot, instructor and senior examiner on multiple aircraft types.

Pilot Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 9th November – Session 5

Industry Progress for CBTA

Raghoonundun Gunputh (Nickname: Birdy) is the Senior Manager Safety Training at Lufthansa Aviation Training, where his main area of responsibility is to manage the development of training policies & standards for safety related training (Safety, CRM, Security, First Aid, DG etc.) for flight crew and cabin crew to ensure alignment with legal requirements as well as forthcoming changes in new technologies and methodologies in order to optimise training for the Lufthansa Group Airlines and external customers.

He holds a degree in Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Open University UK.

In his past 36 years’ experience within the airline industry, Birdy started his career as a cabin crew member on long & short haul and afterwards as a Safety, CRM and Security Trainer. He was appointed Manager Crew Safety Training at different airlines for 19 years before joining Lufthansa Aviation Training in 2017. Within this journey, he has been involved in various projects in enhancing the design and delivery of safety training in an ever-changing operational environment.

As a member if the ICAO Cabin Safety Group, Birdy extends his engagement to cabin safety and training, as well as CBTA for cabin crew. At present he is also a subject matter expert of the ICAO Working Group on Cabin Crew Digital Learning.

His latest projects have been the development and implementation of the new Initial Cabin Crew Training as per EASA guidance, integrate CBTA principles into cabin crew training and explore means of implementing innovative training solutions through ongoing projects.

Cabin Crew Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

Workshop: Shaping the Dimensions of Performance

Indeed, CBTA is perceived as the most suitable method of training and is a common subject of discussion that continuously confirms its benefits. However, there are challenges in implementing such a concept and it’s not done overnight. Somehow, we do need to start and progressively apply the principles into the training until a complete transition from a traditional training into a full CBTA can take place. But this often turns out to be a challenge, especially when dealing with the non-technical competencies leading to its implementation not to take place at a pace at which the subject is being discussed.

Taking a deep dive into the issues often confirms that a better understanding of the design and development process of CBTA contents as well as the transition phase would be beneficial to those responsible for its implementation. So, how can such principles be adopted? What is an adapted competency model and why do I need one? How are performance criteria defined, evaluated and graded? What’s the difference between individual task assessment and competency assessment in a scenario-based exercise?

To shed light into such issues, we would like to use this workshop to enable the participants to familiarise themselves to a challenging part of the design and development process. Let us jointly practice, discuss and share our expertise on the development of CBTA contents and shape the dimensions of performance.

This workshop will consist of exploring a scenario-based training example and facilitated discussions to encourage participants to understand the process in developing vital CBTA components.

Aims & objectives:

• Practice applying the process of designing and developing CBTA contents for a specific scenario-based
  training example
• Identify and discuss competencies while adapting these into an adapted competency model.
• Identify and develop performance criteria
• Practice developing a grading scale for the relevant competencies

Helen was educated at The Ladies’ College in Guernsey, and obtained her commercial pilot’s licence from the Cabair College of Air Training in January 1999. In May of that year she joined Jersey European Airways, the airline that later on became Flybe.

Following 7 years as a First Officer on the Dash 8 and BAe146, she gained her command on the Q400 in 2006, and in 2007 she joined the CRM team as an instructor delivering recurrent CRM training to flight deck and cabin crew. Returning from a maternity break in 2013, she then began delivering the more comprehensive Initial Operator’s CRM training for both Flight Crew and Cabin Crew.

In 2016 she was appointed the Head of the CRM training department. In this role Helen led, trained and managed a team of 12, and was responsible for the creation and delivery of all the initial and recurrent courseware for the company’s 1700 aircrew, many of whom were new recruits to commercial aviation. She was invited to sit on the company Training Policy Group to ensure that course materials were responding to identified training needs.

Her work has been acknowledged by the UK CAA as ‘The most engaged class observed for a very long time’, and from external clients as ‘The best delivery of CRM I’ve ever seen’.

Helen remained at Flybe for over 20 years, until when in March 2020 she was made redundant following the sudden collapse of the regional airline.

She then worked for 2 years as an independent training consultant, specialising in all aspects of CRM training for a number of airline operators, and training new, and upskilling existing CRMTs, into her passionate and motivational style.

During this time she completed a Master’s Degree in Human Factors in Aviation, graduating with Merit. In 2022 she secured a full time role at NATS in 2022, as a Human Factors specialist. She specialised in training design, development, and delivery for Operations Training.

Helen has now moved to the UK CAA. Initially working in the Flight Operations department, she now works in the Safety Performance Team as a safety improvement specialist. Her passion remains with Human Factors, and she brings her knowledge and skills into the team, identifying areas of potential Human Performance improvement across the aviation system. Helen’s focus is on how training can be most effective. She has the ability to identify learning opportunities from a wide range of industry academic research and thinking, and combined with her own experiences and those of others, turn them into straightforward concepts. These in turn get adapted to suit the applicable training environment, with bespoke training plans designed for both the structured classroom, and coordinated with the practical application in the operational environment.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 2

Falling in Love Again – Have the Next Generation Lost the Passion for Aviation?

Over the past number of years, I have attended many conferences. Many have been hosted by Halldale, but some have been hosted by other organisations and representative bodies. The Royal Aeronautical Society, the European Association of Aviation Psychology, The Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors to name but a few.

Yet despite the wide outreach across the aviation demographics, there seems to be a common underlying theme. How can we recruit sufficient personnel into the industry, to match the forecast demand for air travel.

I think the question that underpins this, however, is not how can we, but why can’t we?

What has changed over the years, and in particular post pandemic, that we are struggling so much to recruit skilled personnel into what historically was perceived as a glamorous, exciting, reputable, desirable industry to work in?

In this session, from personal experiences, colleagues’ anecdotes, to scientific research, we shall explore how the industry has changed. Using the reverse of British Cycling’s ‘Accumulation of Marginal Gains’ philosophy, we will look at not just the changes, but, how has it impacted the views of those on the front line?

And now in the post covid era, we explore where the crux of problems may lie, and take some time to consider, can we, as industry specialists, as training providers, as operators, and as regulators, do anything about it?

Pilot Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Could Doing Less, Not More, Improve Operational and Human Performance?

I recently listened to a podcast, which fundamentally explored a psychological phenomenon, that it is the belief of many humans, that to improve something, we have to add something. That is, we have to do more to make it better.

However, research has shown that in fact, there are often occasions where doing less, and by that it is meant, overtly taking things away, can improve it just as effectively, and, poignantly, more efficiently.

To put that into a simple statement, you can get the same results, more quickly.

Now this podcast generated a thought. This philosophy could easily be applied in aviation training.

We talk about continuous improvement; systems, processes, procedures, are constantly evolving. But, how many of these improvements have taken things away? Or are we all stuck with the belief, that we have to put more things in?

In this session we are going to explore this phenomenon in more details, explain the research and evidence that supports this notion, and discuss how it specifically applies within our aviation training environment.

From the evolution of CBTA frameworks, simulator training programmes, right down to defining stabilised approach criteria, we will ask the question:

Can we perform better, by doing less?

After obtaining an MSc in Occupational Psychology in 2013, Aleksandra has been working in aviation gaining a wide range of experience in European assessments and selection programs of cadets and active pilots whilst working with a range of airlines, aviation companies and training organisations. Aleksandra is an EAAP accredited Aviation Psychologist, an assessor and KSA100 assessment specialist.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 6

Finding the Perfect Match: CBTA in Selecting Instructors with the Right Traits

In the dynamic and demanding world of aviation, the role of pilot instructors is more critical than ever, influencing the safety, proficiency, and success of both aspiring pilots and seasoned professionals. The need for exceptional instructors extends across both flight schools and airlines, where the quality of instruction directly impacts the effectiveness of pilots and safety. However, not every skilled pilot is suited to be an instructor, making the selection and development of the right individuals a top priority for the industry.

This presentation will emphasize the importance of selecting pilot instructors who possess the right competencies, personality, attitudes, and motivation. Drawing from the CBTA approach, we will explore how to identify and cultivate instructors who excel not only in technical skills, but also in communication, leadership, and resilience.

By addressing the needs of both flight schools and airlines, we will discuss why focusing on these competencies is essential for selecting instructors who can meet the evolving demands of aviation. This presentation will provide industry professionals with the tools and insights needed to improve the recruitment of instructors, ensuring that the next generation of pilots is trained by professionals who are not just competent but truly exceptional.

• Active Captain A320 Lufthansa CityLine (Lufthansa Group)
• Supervisor Master Thesis University Joaneum, Graz, Austria
• Current Ratings: A340, A320, Embraer 190, SEP and MEP
• Instructor & Examiner (Check Airman) TRI/TRE A340, A320, E190/195, CRE SEP/MEP
• Advanced UPRT Instructor on FSTD
• UPRT Training on DESDEMONA-, Spatial Disorientation-Simulator
• Co-Founder of the OneTeamCockpit Initiative with Cpt. Dr. Christian Popp, JetBlue Airways
• Engineering Degree in Aeronautical Engineering (Munich University of Applied Science)
• Head-up Display Specialist with application in flight operation and training
• Over 16.000 hrs. as airline pilot in over 34 years active airline experience with more than 7.500 hrs instructing.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

Push to Unload – Are We Doing It Right?

As aviation technology advances, pilots encounter a new set of challenges necessitating innovative and effective training solutions. This presentation, led by Capt. Christof Kemény, a certified advanced UPRT Instructor Pilot, will explore into the complexities of delivering Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) and Stall Training using Full Flight Simulators across various aircraft types.

The presentation will explore the limitations and potential of diverse training platforms, including the DESDEMONA simulator, which offers sustained g-loading capabilities, Spatial Disorientation simulators, and aerobatic aircraft. By leveraging extensive experience and final data from a comprehensive simulator research campaign and a global instructor pilot survey conducted in collaboration with the University of Graz and simulator manufacturer AMST, this presentation aims to validate innovative training methods.

Key insights will be shared on presenting UPRT-related information directly within the trainees’ field of view and employing task specific Flight Simulation Training Devices. The discussion will emphasize the importance of understanding flight envelope limits, g-load effects, and stall protection within these training setups.

Special attention will be given to human factors affecting instructor qualification and performance, with a focus on the critical “Push to Unload” technique. The session will examine the balance between prioritizing safety and understanding human performance limitations in UPRT, addressing operator constraints and the comprehensive scope of training required for instructors on UPRT-related human performance factors.

Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of the current challenges in UPRT and Stall Training, along with practical solutions and insights to enhance training effectiveness. This presentation provides a valuable platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas and best practices, fostering a collaborative approach to meeting crucial training requirements in aviation.

Claudio Marturano is the CEO of the T-C-Alliance, a collaborative group of aviation training and consultancy organisations and subject matter experts. Claudio is an active, results-oriented executive with 20 years of experience in aviation and 15 years of senior-level exposure across various business development and professional learning domains. As a seasoned leader and advisor, he leverages team insights and wisdom to drive and implement organisational improvements through learning and development initiatives. Claudio is committed to continuous growth and skill development.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 5

Fostering a Future of Safety: Training in Aviation Risk Management

Training the next generation in aviation safety is essential for managing risks and fostering a robust safety culture. A critical component of this training is understanding and utilising safety communication effectively. This involves defining concepts like safety voice, muted safety voice, and safety silence, and recognizing their impact on risk management.

This presentation will explain the findings related to the PHD carried out by Captain Kimberly Perkis on Unconscious Bias within the flight deck.

The Threat and Error Management (TEM) model plays a pivotal role in this training, highlighting how a Safety Management System (SMS) helps reduce human error. Effective risk management relies heavily on proactive communication of safety concerns.

Interpersonal challenges and biases, such as naive realism and fundamental attribution error, must also be addressed to ensure open communication. Understanding power dynamics, including the effects of headwinds and tailwinds on team interactions, is vital for fostering a supportive environment.

Psychological safety, the belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking, is crucial for enabling open communication and effective risk management. Techniques for self-awareness, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence (EQ) help maintain a supportive team environment.

Training the next generation involves a comprehensive approach to safety communication, psychological safety, and interpersonal skills. This ensures future aviation professionals are well-equipped to manage risks and contribute to a culture of safety. By focusing on these areas, we can lead and accelerate training improvement in aviation, fostering a resilient and safety-oriented organizational culture.

Captain Fahad Ibne Masood, MRAeS, is a seasoned aviation professional with over 25 years of experience in aviation training, research, and consultancy. As a respected academic and industry analyst, he has delivered advanced training programs that have equipped over 2,000 aviation professionals globally with cutting-edge skills in Unmanned Aerial Systems, Air Transport Management, and Aviation Safety & Security. Fahad has pioneered innovative training methodologies, including a successful Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) program, which has been integrated into the curriculum at the Modern College of Business & Science, Oman, leading to a 25% increase in student enrollment. He has been instrumental in conducting over 50 workshops and courses on Aircraft Accident Investigation related programs, enabling aviation stakeholders to enhance safety protocols and reduce incident response times by 30%. His insights have shaped aviation policies and educational frameworks, making him a sought-after speaker & discussion moderator at international conferences. Fahad’s commitment to advancing aviation education and safety risk management is evident in his contributions to the industry’s evolving landscape.

Approved Training Organisation Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Revised Pilot Training Requirements in Advanced Air Mobility Space

The emergence of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) vehicles, particularly electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, promises to revolutionize urban transportation. However, integrating these novel vehicles into existing airspace requires a reevaluation of pilot training needs. This paper explores the potential revisions necessary for pilot training programs to prepare pilots for the unique challenges and operational environments of AAM.

AAM encompasses a range of electric, autonomous, or piloted aircraft designed for on-demand urban and regional transportation. These vehicles offer significant potential for reduced noise pollution, congestion relief, and improved connectivity. Yet, safely integrating AAM into existing airspace necessitates a robust pilot training framework tailored to the specific characteristics of these new technologies (FAA, 2023).

Revised Training Requirements

Traditional pilot training focuses on fixed-wing aircraft and may not adequately prepare pilots for the complexities of eVTOL operations. Key considerations for revised training programs include…

• Automation Management: AAM vehicles are likely to incorporate varying degrees of automation. Pilots will require training to effectively manage and monitor automated systems while maintaining situational awareness (Asif Ali Laghari et al., 2023).
• Urban Air Traffic Management: AAM operations will occur within densely populated areas, demanding a focus on urban air traffic management (UTM) procedures and airspace deconfliction strategies (Laurie A. Garrow et al., 2021).
• Emergency Procedures: eVTOL’s unique flight profiles necessitate the development of specific emergency response protocols and training in handling potential malfunctions during various phases of flight (Senwei Xiang et al. 2024).

Benefits of Revised Training

Implementing revised training programs offers several advantages…

• Enhanced Safety: Thorough training tailored to AAM vehicles will equip pilots with the knowledge and skills necessary to operate safely within the urban environment.
• Public Confidence: A robust training framework can contribute to public trust in the safety and reliability of AAM operations.
• Smooth Integration: Properly trained pilots can facilitate the seamless integration of AAM into existing airspace, minimizing disruption to traditional aviation activities.

The successful integration of AAM hinges on a well-defined pilot training program. By addressing the unique challenges posed by these novel aircraft, revised training can ensure the safety, public acceptance, and smooth operationalization of AAM in the years to come.

Nuno Nogueira is the Deputy head of training at Bartolini Air.

With a background in engineering Nuno is a career flight instructor with 5000 hours flight instruction given for all ab-initio courses.

Nuno was a speaker at Pilot-Expo for the past three years, having mainly focused on educating young pilots-to-be on the differences between modular and integrate training, as well as how to navigate EASA regulation to find relevant information. Nuno has also participated in discussion panels both in Pilot-Expo and Pilot-careers live with other industry professional to discuss several topics affecting the industry and to answer questions from pilots-to-be.

ATO (Approved Training Organisation) Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

Instructor Standardization in 2024: Is AI a Possible Solution?

Instructor and pilot standardization was, is, and will continue to be one of the major challenges faced by the aviation industry. Especially at the ATO level, where there are several factors at play, from the multitude of different maneuvers and operations to the different backgrounds and the overall lack of experience of the students at this stage.

With such a critical item for safety and training quality, it is no wonder that many different approaches have been taken over the years to approach this dilemma. But the truth is, this is an evolving ecosystem, and no approach was ever perfect or one that truly mitigated all the potential issues.

Due to this, it is only normal that every time something new becomes available, it is looked at as a possible additional tool to add to the arsenal used in this never-ending quest.

Recently, the world has been taken by storm by what some call the AI “revolution”. However, just like with any new tool, there is a great degree of care that must be considered when implementing solutions, and this is all the truer for AI.

The main goal of this presentation is to outline the common standardization methodologies used today, present a working understanding of how AI works, and present a study of how this new tool could, or could not, be used to enhance those existing methods, or create new ones. Hopefully sparking a discussion on standardization as a whole, what threats exist to the injection of new technologies, and what benefits can be gained from those new technologies.

Andy O’Shea, CEO of the Airline Pilot Club (APC), served as Head of Training at Ryanair for 18 years, selecting and training over 10,000 newly licensed pilots to become safe and effective airline pilots. He chaired the EASA Aircrew Training Policy Group that introduced the APS MCC to the training industry. APC connects quality-assured students with quality-assured ATOs and introduces both to recruiting airlines.

ATO (Approved Training Organisation) Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

The Role of AI-Enhanced Psychometric Assessments

Partnering with Symbiotics, APC integrates AI-enhanced psychometric assessments into its recruitment and training processes to ensure a holistic evaluation of pilot candidates. This presentation will discuss how these AI-driven assessments provide deep insights into candidates’ cognitive abilities, personality traits, and behavioral tendencies. By combining these AI-generated insights with ATS and AI-PEBT data, APC creates comprehensive profiles of each candidate, enhancing selection accuracy and training effectiveness.

The session will also cover APC’s AI-supported approach to integrating human factors and resilience training, focusing on psychological, physiological, and social aspects to better prepare pilots for modern aviation challenges.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 5

Enhancing Pilot Competency & Performance Through AI-Driven Continuous Assessment & CRD

AI-driven continuous assessment and Continuous Resilience Development (CRD) are crucial for maintaining high standards in pilot performance. This presentation will explore how APC’s AI system facilitates ongoing competency assessments and integrates CRD to help pilots manage stress, fatigue, and other non-technical challenges. By providing real-time AI-generated feedback and tailored training interventions, the system ensures pilots develop the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively.

The session will include examples of AI-driven continuous assessment in action, benefits of CRD, and its role in enhancing training outcomes and operational safety.

Fabian “Fabi” Riesen is the founder and CEO of Loft Dynamics, the maker of the first and only virtual reality (VR) pilot training devices with regulatory approval. Before Loft Dynamics, Fabi spent over two decades as an engineering technical leader at Cisco Systems, earning the company’s prestigious Pioneer Award for his innovations. During that time, Fabi constructed simulators as a hobby outside of work. With a background in electrical engineering and a lifelong passion for flying, Fabi recognized the need to enhance the safety, realism, and accessibility of pilot training globally and built a simulator to achieve that goal.

In 2014, Fabi combined virtual reality and motion platforms to create a cutting-edge VR simulator from the ground up, in his living room. By 2016, Loft Dynamics (formerly VRM Switzerland) was born, debuting a qualified VR Robinson R22 FNPT II simulator before releasing its EASA-qualified FTD Level 3 VR simulator, the Airbus H125. Today, leading manufacturers, airlines, operators, schools, and organizations around the world use the company’s VR simulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Los Angeles Police Department, Airbus Helicopters, Air Zermatt, Helitrans Norway, Heli Austria, and many others.

In addition to receiving his Electrical and Software Engineering and Transmission Technology degree from Zurich University, Fabi obtained an executive MBA in Business Administration from Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences.

Fabi enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the Swiss mountains in his spare time. He recently climbed the 48 summits of the Swiss Alps, all exceeding 4000 meters. Fabi also holds a private pilot license for fixed wing (PPL(A)) and is in the process of obtaining the helicopter equivalent (PPL(H)).

Combined Session (Pilot/ATO/Cabin Crew/Maintenance)
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 8

Harnessing the Power of VR to Revolutionize Fixed-Wing Pilot Training

Loft Dynamics is leading a paradigm shift in pilot training, redefining helicopter training with its pioneering, EASA-qualified virtual reality (VR) FSTD. Now, having mastered helicopters, they are poised to transform fixed-wing aircraft training amid a critical global pilot shortage.

Loft Dynamics is launching a first-of-its-kind partnership with the renowned Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The collaboration aims to redefine the standard for airplane pilot training starting from the ground up, making it significantly more efficient, effective, and tailored to each pilot’s unique competencies. Equipped with AI and a proprietary pose tracking system, Loft Dynamics simulators collect thousands of real-time data points to analyze feedback from thousands of students across various maneuvers and scenarios. This data allows for an efficiently tailored competency-based training path unique to each pilot. It also minimizes evaluation subjectivity and ensures consistency. At a larger scale, the insights gleaned will provide an evidence-based roadmap for improving fixed-wing training systemically.

Loft Dynamics is also developing the world’s first qualified fixed-wing VR training simulator for Game Composites: the GameBird2 aircraft – a revolutionary new firefighting aircraft to combat increasing wildfires. Sophisticated retardant delivery patterns, high temperatures, zero visibility conditions, wind, and more necessitate a simulator capable of simulating these real-world complexities safely.

We’ve witnessed VR’s transformative impact on helicopter training, with organizations like LAPD, FAA, Airbus Helicopters, Air Zermatt, Helirans, and Air Greenland increasingly adopting Loft Dynamics’ approach. Loft Dynamics is showing what’s possible with VR, revolutionizing flight training by making it more accessible, realistic, safe, and customizable – and this is just the beginning.

As the FAA qualifies Loft Dynamics’ VR simulator – the first VR training approval from the FAA – a significant shift in pilot training is imminent. Join Loft Dynamics founder and CEO Fabi Riesen as he discusses the role of VR in revolutionizing pilot training, from helicopters to airplanes, and how the industry can collectively leverage VR.

Zac brings a blend of experiences as a former educator and from a decade of consulting with large, Fortune 500 clients across a wide range of industries. His career has been focused on experience design methodologies, developing leaders, and driving innovation in organizations. He is a Design Thinking certified facilitator and has expertise in adult learning, all stemming from a foundation in psychology.

He has led projects and solutions across patient experience improvement, application development, learning experience design/development, innovation system creation, design sprint facilitation, onboarding, leadership development, technology system implementation, e valuation design, and for employee experience/retention/burnout. He recently led the design and development of an award-winning burnout solution for one of our nation’s largest retail healthcare/pharmacy organizations.

He most often finds himself lost In a ‘flow state’ when he has processed a complex challenge well enough to identify key insights to solution against. Zac resides in Cincinnati, OH. He loves to hike (shout out to Hocking Hills, OH!), jam to music with the windows down, or engage in the care of houseplants and bonsai trees with his wife Katie.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Modernizing Training to Engage the Modern Employee

Preparing engaging and effective training for the next generation requires evolved thinking and methods in training design. While our industry has embraced innovative research and thinking around approaches for training, instructional design, and even learning experience design over the past few decades, pushing ourselves into the design of experiences that impact performance (not just learning) is the stepwise change needed to support the next generation.

Human behavior is complex and key moments (like COVID) shape the motivations of each generation. As training designers who are building future-oriented training organizations and delivery methods, we all need to incorporate evidence-based techniques from adjacent fields (like psychology, neuroscience, or behavioral economics) to drive behavior change.

Allow us to share insights and expertise on how to incorporate this “performance science” into your work. By moving beyond the initial classroom/lesson, you will see how to apply findings on habit formation, learning and forgetting curves, behavioral nudges, inner work, and neuroscience-based communication that can solve for factors that drive performance but aren’t knowledge or skill.

From this presentation, you will leave with tangible and applicable methods that you can apply to your current training needs immediately. Furthermore, you will take home a working canvas to allow you to keep processing back in your typical work context.

Luís Santana is the Coordinator of the Strategic Management and Specific Projects Departments at Quidgest, he has been developing his professional activity at Quidgest since September 2008. He is responsible for the planning, control, and execution of numerous projects in multiple sectors of activity.

From 2008 to 2012, I’ve collaborated with Instituto Politécnico de Tomar e o Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, teaching classes in Algorithms, Systems Analysis, Databases, and Project Methodology.

As a project manager, I worked on several projects related to the implementation of solutions for managing training for aircraft maintenance technicians (EASA Part 147 certification) for clients such as LASTRAINING, PGA – Portugália Airlines, and OGMA.

During these ears working in these projects, I’ve had the privilege of having direct contact with this companies who have allowed me to realize the importance of an efficient management of information related to Part-147, making it essential to implement adaptable and scalable information management systems.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Optimizing Aviation Training with Innovative Software Solutions

Efficient management of information related to Part-147 and other legislation for aircraft maintenance technicians, poses a significant challenge for the aviation industry. The complexity and vastness of the data, ranging from certifications to specific training and competency requirements, demand robust digital solutions that go far beyond traditional Excel spreadsheets. The size and digital maturity of organizations vary considerably, making it essential to implement adaptable and scalable information management systems.

It is also imperative for companies that certify aircraft maintenance technicians to keep up with the legislative changes mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Systems need to be dynamic and flexible, allowing continuous adaptation to regulatory changes, ensuring compliance, and mitigating the risks of non-compliance. These solutions should avoid centralizing knowledge within a single person or team, promoting distributed and sustainable knowledge management.

Training organizations, whether external or internal, face different realities and requirements. The spectrum of procedures, nuances in data collection, analysis, and information processing is vast and diverse. Therefore, it is essential to develop systems that support this diversity, providing customizable and efficient tools for managing the training and certification of technicians.

With 36 years of experience, Quidgest has implemented innovative digital solutions in various countries. Partners and major organizations, such as governments, multinational companies, and global multilateral institutions use Quidgest’s solutions to achieve their digital strategies. Our solutions now include Generative AI components, capable of transforming complex information management processes into automated and intelligent operations, significantly increasing efficiency and reducing manual effort.

This combination of expertise and cutting-edge technology positions Quidgest at the forefront of digital transformation in aviation training, offering systems that meet the industry’s most demanding requirements. That is why we are excited to share our vision and experience at the EATS conference.

• 1985-1990: CSC Corp. – Admin for contractor development of FAA Next-Gen air traffic control testing
• 1990-1998: Southeastern Penn Transportation Authority – Light-Rail Maintenance Ops/Admin.
• 1998-2002: UPS Airlines Division – Ramp Operations/Maintenance   PHL
• 2002-2005: Keystone Aerial Surveys – GA Aircraft Maintenance – Line & O/H
• 2005-2015: The Boeing Company – Assembly, Quality, Flight-Test Maintenance
• 2015-2020: Air Wisconsin Airlines – Inspector, Training Instr., MX Management
• 2020-2021: AAR Corp.  Quality and Inspection for D-Checks for United Airlines
• 2022-present: SkyWest Airlines – Maintenance Training Instructor.

FAA Mechanic’s License:  Airframe & Powerplant Certificate (2000)

Various part-time roles with several Aviation Training Schools as Maintenance Training instructor.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 5

Maintenance Training Design for Improved Outcomes

The electronic tools for remote communication have improved exponentially in the past few years and sophisticated reliability and audio-visual developments seemed to arrive just in time for the Covid-19 work rule changes and limitations on travel. Many training requirements were transferred or expanded to a new or existing remote operation. Airlines were able to continue required and optional training in the Maintenance Departments with little interruption. Can we state that the training events were at least equal to, or perhaps even surpassed the performances and outcomes from earlier meetings?

My answer was: Not yet.

Remote training clearly provides better efficiency. Once the equipment was in place for remote communication it seemed that courses could be scheduled rapidly, with almost no travel and with several instructor options. All this contributed to less time administering the training event and even more significantly – less cost.

Was this new delivery of training more effective than traditional forms?

My experience seemed to indicate:  Not yet.

Remote training needs to be recognized as a distinct form of communication. Just as a live theatrical performance is not a cinematic performance, I have learned that remote training is not a mirror image of instructor-led activity.

I would like to present 3 items for the outline of a remote training course that could be used as a framework to develop improvements for the administration of training.

Preparation, Performance, Follow-Up.

Preparation requires a suitable space that supports audio-visual communication. Simple backgrounds with no distracting “architecture” for the presenter, and proper lighting and camera arrangement for the classroom that does not leave the students “adrift” in a large room full of posters and shadows. And of course, the best technology the department can acquire, or even rent.

Performance requires instructors to practice for personal evaluation and improvement in front of cameras with proper supporting materials that will be quite different from the original paper and physical items commonly used. And interjecting professional videos and even using multiple instructors creates curiosity when they are hearing changes in voice and personality.

Follow-up allows the electronic transmission of information, testing, and the evaluation of both students and instructor performance into the future to accurately measure exact retention for accurate course improvements and instructor course tuning.

This would give the remote experience a much greater effectiveness for the maintenance staff at all levels of training.

Harald Schween is part of Lufthansa Technical Training’s management team and is responsible for the companies’ global customer affairs as the Head of Sales & Marketing.

He has a holistic expertise of the aviation and the MRO industry and has focused over the last years on developing new markets and customer solutions for the qualification of aviation technical staff. Within his area of responsibility, he is overseeing all customer and market relevant activities of the company including the market rollout of new training products, such as online and digital learning solutions for the aviation training industry.

He joined the Lufthansa Group in 1994 and during his career, he has been holding several expert and management positions in the group. Before joining Lufthansa Technical Training in 2016, Harald was responsible for the product management at Lufthansa Flight Training’s simulator training division.

Harald is currently living in the Frankfurt area. He graduated from the Universities of Applied Sciences in Darmstadt and Mainz, Germany, and holds university degrees in mechanical and industrial engineering. He started his professional career as an aircraft maintenance technician.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 2

Recruiting and Retaining Maintenance Technician Talents in the Aviation Industry

The demand for qualified maintenance technicians in the aviation industry is steadily increasing, prompting Lufthansa Technical Training (LTT) to develop strategies to meet this demand. Establishing close relationships with technical schools and vocational institutions allows LTT to identify and engage potential talent early on. Collaboration with educational institutions also ensures that training programs align with industry requirements. Moreover, airlines and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organizations are constantly challenged to maintain a sufficient level of suitably qualified technicians to ensure flawless operations.

With today’s and upcoming generations being more digitally connected and committed to personal improvement, there is a growing need for modern, cost-effective training programs. Digital natives are used to sharing knowledge and data via social media platforms and are more familiar with the world of virtual and augmented reality. More than ever, the question of developing modern effective and efficient training programs at reasonable cost has become a priority.

The presentation will explore innovative approaches to training that leverage virtual and augmented reality technologies as well as collaborative learning tools. Furthermore, it will showcase an example for a successful partnership for recruiting maintenance technicians in today’s digital age.

Justin brings a strong dedication to improving learning opportunities in the aviation industry and a passion for training to his role as Learning & Development Specialist at Transavia.

Having worked as a teacher trainer and researcher for more than six years, Justin is specialized in lecturing didactics and building motivating and challenging learning programs for a diverse range of learners.

Justin’s expertise in Learning Management Systems and talent development has helped Transavia shape comprehensive and impactful training solutions, ensuring the team of developers and trainers is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for excellent training in the aviation sector.

LinkedIn

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 5

Transavia’s Vision on Training Newly Hired Cabin Crew

In this presentation, we will look at how we transformed the Initial & Conversion Training program at Transavia Netherlands to fit the learning preferences of a new generation of cabin crew. We designed a more effective and engaging training program by implementing a blended learning method based on the principles of Flipping the Classroom. Traditional lectures have been replaced by interactive online courses, which allow crew members to learn key topics at their own speed before attending physical training sessions focused on practical application and collaborative exercises. In addition to improving knowledge retention, our new training method boosts our new crew’s critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. On top of that, Transavia’s Initial & Conversion Training program has been divided into the formal regulatory parts, introducing an independent Initial training program in accordance with EASA and IOSA requirements and a separate Transavia Conversion training program addressing the operator conversion and type training. This development creates new opportunities, allowing Transavia to accept cabin crew already in the possession of a cabin crew attestation and offer a shorter training period. Vice versa this development creates new opportunities for other airlines to be more effective with their resources as Transavia is able to offer initial certification for industry partners. The benefits are not limited to airline training departments: along with the growing success of universal cabin crew attestations goes a brighter future for cabin crew members: being more flexible and being able to develop themselves on several types of airlines and aircraft. Join our presentation to discover how our approach to blended learning and training newly hired crew is impacting the future of cabin crew training.

With an operational and technical background in aviation, Maaike combines her skills with education in risk, change and business management. Being passionate about creating new opportunities while ensuring the highest standards of training, leads to continuous improvement and innovation at the cabin crew training department of Transavia.

LinkedIn

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 5

Transavia’s Vision on Training Newly Hired Cabin Crew

In this presentation, we will look at how we transformed the Initial & Conversion Training program at Transavia Netherlands to fit the learning preferences of a new generation of cabin crew. We designed a more effective and engaging training program by implementing a blended learning method based on the principles of Flipping the Classroom. Traditional lectures have been replaced by interactive online courses, which allow crew members to learn key topics at their own speed before attending physical training sessions focused on practical application and collaborative exercises. In addition to improving knowledge retention, our new training method boosts our new crew’s critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. On top of that, Transavia’s Initial & Conversion Training program has been divided into the formal regulatory parts, introducing an independent Initial training program in accordance with EASA and IOSA requirements and a separate Transavia Conversion training program addressing the operator conversion and type training. This development creates new opportunities, allowing Transavia to accept cabin crew already in the possession of a cabin crew attestation and offer a shorter training period. Vice versa this development creates new opportunities for other airlines to be more effective with their resources as Transavia is able to offer initial certification for industry partners. The benefits are not limited to airline training departments: along with the growing success of universal cabin crew attestations goes a brighter future for cabin crew members: being more flexible and being able to develop themselves on several types of airlines and aircraft. Join our presentation to discover how our approach to blended learning and training newly hired crew is impacting the future of cabin crew training.

Our founder and CEO, Davy Snowdon MBE, was a conditioning expert for the Olympic Federation covering all sports for two Olympic Games, a former Weightlifting Guinness Book World Record holder, a National and staff coach for the British Weightlifting Team and lecturer for many governing bodies.

Following his memorable journey at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, Davy founded Pristine Condition International Ltd, driven by his passion for safety and well-being.

In the intervening years, Davy has revolutionised manual handling training with a unique and innovative approach that continues to deliver unprecedented results across all industrial and commercial sectors, including phenomenal results with some of the world’s largest carriers, and is now regarded by many as the world leader in reducing manual handling injuries.

In 2014, his exceptional dedication earned him the prestigious MBE honor from Queen Elizabeth II for his pioneering work in industrial safety and his contributions to the nation’s health.

Davy’s commitment to excellence and his relentless pursuit of safety and well-being have been the guiding lights of Pristine Condition’s mission.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

Navigating the Skies of Aviation Culture Change

In this fascinating presentation, Davy Snowdon MBE, Owner and CEO of Pristine Condition International, takes the audience on an intriguing journey through the unexpected intersection of Olympic Weightlifting and the aviation industry. As he unfolds the masterclass, Davy sheds light on how this seemingly unrelated discipline has brought about significant changes in aviation practices.

Shifting gears, Davy directs our focus to the paramount realm of aviation safety. More than just emphasizing the importance of manual handling training, he delves into the essence of making these changes sustainable, ensuring they become an integral part of a company’s culture. The question then arises: How does one transform an aviation business’s safety culture through training?

Davy offers insights into this transformative process by briefly exploring the landscape of AI, manual handling gadgets, and exoskeletons. He envisions the future of manual handling and discusses strategies to seamlessly integrate safety measures into the core of organizational culture.

Concluding on a crucial note, Davy addresses the significant issue of slips, trips, and falls accounting for a significant percentage of all accidents. This presentation not only enlightens the audience on the unexpected connections between Olympic Weightlifting and aviation but also leaves them with a renewed understanding of how manual handling and safety culture can shape the future of the industry.

Anne has been a part of the aviation industry since 1987, starting her career as a cabin attendant before moving on to roles as a pilot and simulator instructor on the Boeing 737. She retired as an airline captain in 2016 and is now the CEO of her own company, NaviMinds.

NaviMinds is a prominent leader in the European human factors training market, having received multiple awards for Innovative Training and Best Crew Resource Management Training.

This year, NaviMinds once again secured the award for Best Crew Resource Management Training Provider.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 6

Training the Trainer – New Methodologies

The training of crew members presents a multitude of challenges, encompassing the management of diverse learning styles and generational differences, accommodating varying expectations, assessing student performance, and integrating new regulations to meet the standards of regulatory bodies.

New methodologies in the field of teaching have emerged as educators strive to improve learning outcomes, adapt to technological advancements, and meet the diverse needs of students. These methodologies reflect a shift towards more student-centered, flexible, and technology-integrated approaches to education. They aim to make learning more engaging, effective, and tailored to the needs of individual learners.

In my presentation, I will explore innovative methodologies and demonstrate their application in classroom training. The elements covered will included blended learning, gamification, personalized learning, inquiry-based learning, collaborative learning, experiential learning, and hybrid learning. These approaches will be exemplified through practical demonstrations, and I will encourage active engagement from the attendees to illustrate their effectiveness.

Frank Steiner is the Head of EBT Standards at Lufthansa Group and has been flying the Airbus A320 for Lufthansa Airlines since 2007.

He became an instructor 14 years ago, and in late 2016, he joined the project team responsible for implementing Evidence-Based Training (EBT) at Lufthansa Airlines, focusing on planning and IT processes. With a strong emphasis on data analysis and management, he developed the airline’s Instructor Concordance Assurance Program (ICAP).

In 2020, he was appointed head of the project team and began consulting for IATA and other airlines on ICAP and EBT implementation.

Since 2023, he has supported EASA as a member of the Safety Promotion Task SPT.012 – ‘Promotion of the new European provisions on pilot training’.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

Instructor Concordance: The Holy Grail of CBTA?

The presentation will explore Lufthansa’s journey in standardizing instructors during the rollout of Evidence-Based Training (EBT), with a special focus on the Instructor Concordance Assurance Programme (ICAP). Lufthansa adopted the IATA standard in partnership with conavitra, who also conduct annual ICAP analyses. The session will feature examples from concordance analyses and highlight key insights gained from years of EBT instructor standardization, pinpointing common areas where instructors face challenges. The presentation will conclude by emphasizing the critical role of instructor concordance in Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA).

Paul is a graduate of Cambridge University in the UK and is the founder / CEO of Mayflower College in Plymouth, UK.

Mayflower College has specialised in the teaching and testing of Aviation English for 30+ years.

Paul’s latest project is to help native English speakers improve their communication skills when interacting with non-native English speakers.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 3

The R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Principle of Communication

Communication without understanding is simply noise – the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. principle of communication

Communication is a cornerstone of Aviation safety. But we are not always very good at it.

In fact, communication is a factor in 70% of aviation incidents and accidents.

The acronym / mnemonic R.E.S.P.E.C.T. provides a useful summary of the principles of safe, efficient radio telephony.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

The Role of Native English Speakers in Safe, Efficient, Radiotelephony

In this presentation, we will explore the critical role of Native English speakers (NEs) in maintaining safe and efficient radiotelephony, summarizing insights from the June 2024 White Paper by the aircrew training Policy Group (atPG).

Key topics of the White Paper:

1. Formal testing of NE’s and the removal of the lifetime pass for ‘expert – Level 6’ candidates. Acknowledging that language proficiency does not automatically mean communicative proficiency.
2. Advanced communicator training for NEs. Successful communication is a shared responsibility and everyone (including NEs) needs to pay their part.
3. Enhancement of the Communication observable Behaviours (CoM oBs) for pilots, instructors, ATCOs and AMTEMs. Further standardisation is required with a greater focus on language and radiotelephony.
4. Data collection and analysis from aviation events where ‘Communication Breakdown’ is a factor. Highlighting the under-reporting of incidents related to communication and arguing for a greater recognition of communication’s crucial role in aviation safety.

Additional issues for investigation:

• STE (Simplified Technical English) is a subset of English (with its own 1000-word dictionary) used to write Aviation Manuals. could this be used as a template to create a similar subset for spoken plain Aviation English?
• ‘Don’t tell Me, show Me’. Radiotelephony Manuals currently tell us what to say but typically don’t show us how to say it (accent, speed of delivery, pausing, emphasising key information, etc).

Recommendations:
• Publish examples of speech (from both native and non-native English speakers) which are considered ‘intelligible to the aeronautical community’.
• Embed audio files into Radiotelephony Manuals or include them in supporting guidance materials.

• Should Standard Phraseology testing be combined with Language Proficiency testing?
• There are many English language proficiency tests – how can we ensure that different tests produce similar results?

I was born in Jersey, United Kingdom on November 15, 1979.

I have a degree in Physics and Chemistry teaching from the Sciences Faculty, University of Lisbon. I joined the Aviation Industry in 2006 as a training technician and as a physics and mathematics instructor, in several aircraft maintenance mechanics courses delivered by LASTRAINING, an aircraft maintenance training company based in Lisbon, Portugal. After a year, I was invited to be responsible for the training and the examinations delivered in the organization, and I was in this position for five years.

In 2007 and 2008 I’ve been part of the team responsible for obtaining the EASA Part 147 certification of the organization. Between 2008 and 2009 I attended a postgraduate course in Air Transport Operations. At that time, I was challenged to deliver training as a Human Factors instructor. Due to this invitation, I attended my first Human Factors Course specific in Aviation Maintenance. And over time I’ve developed more knowledge in this area by attending training in Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork, Team Motivation, and Leadership, and in the last year, I have specifically focused on Emotion Management Training.

Since 2013 I have worked as the Training Manager of LASTRAINING, maintaining the role of instructor and examiner for the Basic Training Courses for Aircraft Maintenance Technicians.

Between 2015 and 2017 I’ve attended to a Master’s Degree in Education and Training – Organization and Management of Education and Training, in the Education Institute of the University of Lisbon.

During these 17 years working in LASTRAINING, I’ve had the privilege of having direct contact with hundreds of trainees who have allowed me to realize the importance of frequent monitoring and an in-depth understanding of the classes. This knowledge helped our school to understand the importance of delivering specific training, vital in the development of essential skills, that combined with technical knowledge, turn our trainees more confident and able to carry out their job more effectively and safely.

Maintenance Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 2

Training the Next Aircraft Maintenance Generation: Synergy Between Human Factors, Emotional Learning and Social Skills

In the fast-evolving maintenance and repair industry, training programs for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) must align with technological advancements and industry requirements. This presentation emphasizes the critical need for AME training programs that integrate Human Factors (HF), Emotional Learning (EL), and Social Skills to enhance daily performance.

Close collaboration between Training and Maintenance Organizations is essential to understand training needs that lead to comprehensive training programs, ensuring that the Maintenance Industry benefits from a highly skilled, emotionally resilient and adaptable workforce.

Alongside critical HF in AME performance, emotions and social skills significantly influence AME responses and overall job performance. Therefore, integrating Emotional Learning (EL) and Social Skills into HF training can greatly enhance teamwork, effective communication, and conflict resolution.

Transformative training programs that go beyond traditional knowledge acquisition are needed, fostering personal growth and the development of new skills through experiential learning, gamification, and immersive training programs.

This presentation explores the synergy between HF, EL, and social skills, demonstrating how their integration can lead to substantial improvements in AME daily performance. By focusing on these areas, these training programs can produce confident and adaptable workers who perform their duties more effectively and safely.

In conclusion, this presentation demonstrates that by leading in the adoption of comprehensive training strategies that include HF, EL, and social skills, training organizations equip maintenance organizations with a highly skilled and adaptable workforce to meet the demands of a dynamic industry.

David has been a director of Basair Aviation College, a large flight training provider, for over 10 years. Basair provides the flight training for Griffith University, TAFE NSW (the largest vocational education provider in Australia) as well as being approved to deliver its own Diploma of Aviation course.

Prior to entering the aviation industry, David worked for Accenture as a Strategy Consultant and ran large projects at Barclays Bank (London) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

David has extensive presentation experience, presenting as part of his role at Accenture and in the banking industry. David has also presented his research project at Lund University, and delivers the Safety Culture lectures at Basair Aviation College.

David has an MBA from London Business School and is currently studying for a Masters of Safety Design at Lund University (Sweden.) He also holds Bachelors Degrees in Economics and also Science from the Australian National University.

David is an experienced Director and Chair, and is also a Director of the Regional Aviation Association of Australia, Eagle Aircraft Maintenance and Australia by Air (a general aviation charter operation.)

Approved Training Organisation Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

Successfully Using AI in Pilot Training Operations

I would like to share my experience of implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects at Basair Aviation College by using, as an example, the development of an AI tool to optimise student bookings.

1. The tremendous opportunities for ‘AI’ in pilot training.

AI uses historical data to predict future outcomes, and in pilot training we capture a huge data set; flights, student competency scores, exam results, homework results, cancellations by reason, pass rates, satisfaction surveys, safety event databases, etc…
This wealth of data provides many opportunities to leverage AI.

2. How we translated a ‘Business Problem’ into an ‘AI Problem’

AI projects need to frame the business problem as a ‘predictability problem’ in order to use the dataset available. In my example, the business problem was reframed as “For every student, what is the probability (%) that they will complete the Unit of Study on time?”

3. Why ‘AI’ was better at this problem than people.

Base Managers and Instructors can easily identify the very best students, and those students that need the most additional help.
However for the majority between these extremes, AI is better at identifying when a student is at risk of just missing a goal on time.

4. How we kept a Human Element focus in the solution.

Rather than give a single answer to each potential booking, we recognised the benefit of utilising the Base Manager’s current knowledge (as opposed to the AIs historical focus.)

5. How accessible AI projects are.

Basair is a small company (70 aircraft, 300 students) and we have successfully managed several AI projects. You do not have to be large, with your own IT department, to leverage AI. Solutions are available for companies of all sizes.

Cabin Crew Training Manager at SmartLynx Airlines Ltd.

• 24 years of professional background in sales, customer service and management roles
• Also qualified as CRM Assessor, Compliance Auditor, Train the Trainer and Senior Ground Instructor
• Currently managing Cabin Crew Training for a fleet of 70 aircrafts comprising of A320, A321, B737MAX and A330 damp or wet leased to customers worldwide
• I call myself an adrenaline addict, I love travelling, meeting new people and most of all enjoying every day to the fullest.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 5

Cabin Crew Training Challenges and Solutions for an ACMI

• Complex operations
• Access to suitable training facilities worldwide
• Introduction of VR technology
• Access to aircrafts for familiarization purposes
• Staff resources in terms of qualified instructors and examiners to fulfill unprecedented training needs post pandemic
• NEW workforce and increased turnover
• Customizable training syllabus in line with regulatory requirements
• Cultural & Generational Intelligence differences

I would like to share my experience of implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) projects at Basair Aviation College by using, as an example, the development of an AI tool to optimise student bookings.

1. The tremendous opportunities for ‘AI’ in pilot training.

AI uses historical data to predict future outcomes, and in pilot training we capture a huge data set; flights, student competency scores, exam results, homework results, cancellations by reason, pass rates, satisfaction surveys, safety event databases, etc…
This wealth of data provides many opportunities to leverage AI.

2. How we translated a ‘Business Problem’ into an ‘AI Problem’

AI projects need to frame the business problem as a ‘predictability problem’ in order to use the dataset available. In my example, the business problem was reframed as “For every student, what is the probability (%) that they will complete the Unit of Study on time?”

3. Why ‘AI’ was better at this problem than people.

Base Managers and Instructors can easily identify the very best students, and those students that need the most additional help.
However for the majority between these extremes, AI is better at identifying when a student is at risk of just missing a goal on time.

4. How we kept a Human Element focus in the solution.

Rather than give a single answer to each potential booking, we recognised the benefit of utilising the Base Manager’s current knowledge (as opposed to the AIs historical focus.)

5. How accessible AI projects are.

Basair is a small company (70 aircraft, 300 students) and we have successfully managed several AI projects. You do not have to be large, with your own IT department, to leverage AI. Solutions are available for companies of all sizes.

Neil Waterman has worked in the flight simulation and training industry for 35 years specializing in sound and communications systems. He joined Singer Link-Miles in the UK in 1989 before heading over to the USA in 1999 to join Advanced Simulation Technology inc. (ASTi). Today, Neil is the Commercial Aviation Director for ASTi and for the past 18 years has championed development of the ASTi SATCE solution SERA. He has previously presented on the practical application of Simulated ATC Environments in Flight Simulators and the delivery of Level D sound in Full Flight Simulators and was a contributing author to the recently published “Implementation Guide For Artificial Intelligence In Aviation” book, published by HF Horizons.

Combined Session (Pilot/ATO/Cabin Crew/Maintenance)
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 8

Regulation: Roadblock or Backstop? A Tale of Innovation, Frustration and Better-Together with the FAA – Has SATCE Come of Age?

Currently there are roughly 300 Simulated ATC Environment (SATCE) systems installed on FSTDs around the world. Of these, more than 90% are in use for military training, while the remainder are commercial.

Why the disparity? Could it be explained in one word: Regulation?

When the current regulatory standards for FSTDs were crafted, SATCE wasn’t available. It’s not that it wasn’t desired, it was just at the time, technically impossible. Hence, there is no mention of such a technology. Innovation doesn’t sit well within this regulatory framework and commercial flight simulators are purchased to meet the requirements defined in the regulations. But, in military flight training there is no such barrier – if the technology works, it will be used, and if it works well, it will be used more. And the evidence indicates this is true. Military use continues to expand.

However, in the commercial world, the path forward for SATCE seemed very much like a chicken and egg problem. On the one hand, the regulator’s position was that as users start using SATCE they would start evaluating the system, while the users stated that once the system was required by regulation they would start using it.

For quite a while it seemed this impasse would remain. Despite great progress with the military user base, despite significant product improvements and capability enhancements, and, somewhat more worryingly, evidence from the flight line that incidents involving other traffic and ATC were increasing, there seemed to be little interest from the global regulatory community.

However, as the saying goes, “still waters run deep”, and while it may have seemed that SATCE was beyond the interest of the national aviation authorities, early in 2023, the FAA issued an RFI covering “immersive flight simulation technologies”, identifying virtual reality (VR) and specifically SATCE of interest, and as of January 2024, the FAA and ASTi now have a Cooperative Research And Development Agreement (CRADA), focused on the strengths and weaknesses of SATCE through experimentation, with a focus on how it might be certified for pilot training.

This presentation will look at the pathway and roadblocks found in bringing this new technology into the aviation training industry, the challenges that regulation brings, both restrictively and, conversely, working cooperatively with the FAA and the resources they can provide. Looking forward, this presentation will outline the areas of research (and other adjacent research efforts focused on SATCE) and the vision for this work moving forward, and how this will enhance pilot training and ultimately safety. We also hope that our experience with bringing a new technology like SATCE to market will pave the way for other innovative tech to follow.

Micah White is a seasoned technology leader with over 25 years of experience in R&D. Currently serving as VP of Research and Development at CGS and Product Manager for Cicero, an AI-driven tool focused on soft-skills development, Micah is at the forefront of innovation. His expertise spans augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and AI integration, where he has pioneered immersive solutions to enhance learning and human interaction. His awards include Brandon Hall technology and M.U.S.E Innovation awards.  An XR patent holder, Micah’s visionary work continues to shape the future of AI-powered training tools, driving both industry growth and individual success.

Cabin Crew Training Conference
Day 2 – Thursday 7th November – Session 7

Unruly Passengers … AI Saves the Day

In this presentation, I will showcase how CGS Immersive collaborated with Scoot Airlines to transform their flight attendant training by incorporating AI-driven soft skills tools. Using the AI-enabled Cicero platform, we developed immersive, real-world scenarios to train attendants on handling unruly passengers through conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, and de-escalation techniques. The training’s effectiveness was validated using the LEAP (Listen, Empathize, Ask, Paraphrase ) method, ensuring measurable improvements in trainee performance. This innovative approach boosted confidence, enhanced response times, and elevated the overall customer service experience, contributing to a safer and more professional environment for Scoot Airlines.

My name is Veronica Žunić and I am part English, Greek and Malawian born in Africa. I completed my primary education in Greece and then my secondary education in Malawi. I commenced my aviation career in the late 80’s by working several jobs to self sponsor myself through flight training.

I spent ten years flying in Africa for Air Malawi on the HS748, DO228, ATR42 and B737. I then moved to Taiwan where I spent four years flying the ATR72 before moving to Vietnam where I spent eighteen and a half years flying for Vietnam Airlines on the ATR72, A320/1 and A330.

I moved in to training on the Airbus in 2008 and have been actively involved in all aspects of training since then.

I trained to become an aviation english language assessor and assessor trainer and ran an assessment centre under UK CAA approval. I have a lot of experience in assessing Aviation English and conducted many assessments in Asia, on pilots with varying Aviation English levels.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Aviation Management and I lead a great team of instructors and examiners who work for Salient Aero.

Outside of work, I enjoy exercising, reading books and spending time with my family.

I am very passionate about the role that Native English speakers play in aviation language and feel that we need to highlight several important safety related aspects.

Having recently tried to learn Croatian, I fully identify and empathise with non-native English speakers and the challenges that they face in trying to communicate in a foreign language. As a Native English speaker I believe that I can support their journey and help improve safety by educating the aviation population on the importance of speech rate, simple language and the correct use of standard radio telephony and standard callouts.

Pilot Training Conference
Day 1 – Wednesday 6th November – Session 4

The Role of Native English Speakers in Safe, Efficient, Radiotelephony

In this presentation, we will explore the critical role of Native English speakers (NEs) in maintaining safe and efficient radiotelephony, summarizing insights from the June 2024 White Paper by the aircrew training Policy Group (atPG).

Key topics of the White Paper:

1. Formal testing of NE’s and the removal of the lifetime pass for ‘expert – Level 6’ candidates. Acknowledging that language proficiency does not automatically mean communicative proficiency.
2. Advanced communicator training for NEs. Successful communication is a shared responsibility and everyone (including NEs) needs to pay their part.
3. Enhancement of the Communication observable Behaviours (CoM oBs) for pilots, instructors, ATCOs and AMTEMs. Further standardisation is required with a greater focus on language and radiotelephony.
4. Data collection and analysis from aviation events where ‘Communication Breakdown’ is a factor. Highlighting the under-reporting of incidents related to communication and arguing for a greater recognition of communication’s crucial role in aviation safety.

Additional issues for investigation:

• STE (Simplified Technical English) is a subset of English (with its own 1000-word dictionary) used to write Aviation Manuals. could this be used as a template to create a similar subset for spoken plain Aviation English?
• ‘Don’t tell Me, show Me’. Radiotelephony Manuals currently tell us what to say but typically don’t show us how to say it (accent, speed of delivery, pausing, emphasising key information, etc).

Recommendations:
• Publish examples of speech (from both native and non-native English speakers) which are considered ‘intelligible to the aeronautical community’.
• Embed audio files into Radiotelephony Manuals or include them in supporting guidance materials.

• Should Standard Phraseology testing be combined with Language Proficiency testing?
• There are many English language proficiency tests – how can we ensure that different tests produce similar results?