Modernising Ab-initio Ground Training:

Applied Knowledge & Core Competencies

Jacqui Suren

Head of Ground School/ IAAPS

EATS Nov 2015

1. Training our pilots for today

2. EASA’s direction for ab-initio ground training

3. What does this look like within our ATOs

4. The solutions and benefits

1. Training our pilots for today

Safety & commercial managers in a rapidly

technologically advancing industry and unpredictable

environment

‘Thinking’ pilots with sound Core Competencies

Is this what our current TK system provides?

European Industry Questionnaire

‘ATPL theoretical knowledge courses tend to have a

greater emphasis on learning facts than on the

understanding and application of the knowledge’

Strongly

Agree Agree

Neither

Agree /

Disagree Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

2. EASA’s proposed direction

Ensuring understanding and application of knowledge

Interwoven application of Threat Error Management,

commercial and industry understanding

Development and assessment of the Core

Competencies - which require Knowledge, Skills &

Attitudes (KSA)

EASA Safety Conference 2015 App result

2.7%

0.0%

97.3%

0.0%

0.0% 25.0% 50.0% 75.0% 100.0%

Which of the following answers best describes your view on developing

and assessing trainee knowledge, skills and attitudes in ground school?

a) GS courses should only address facts

b) Developing the trainee's understanding

and knowledge, skills and attitudes is

important and should commence on day

one of GS

c) GS is a costly and un-necessary phase in

pilot training

d) It is not possible to develop and assess

knowledge, skills and attitudes in GS - this

can only be done on the flight deck

EASA RMT .0595 LOs

Update learning objectives to:

• be current, relevant and essential (not just nice

to know)

• be based on latest technological advances and

current regulations and include UPRT

• include across subject application and

requirement to relate to relevant scenarios

• require interweaving of TEM and CRM

• require the development of skills

EASA RMT .0595 LOs

Learning objectives written to higher cognitive levels;

understand, apply, analyse, evaluate and create.

Examples: describe, explain, apply, calculate,

interpret, analyse, discuss, estimate, determine,

plan, evaluate, review, demonstrate

Reduction in number of state, define and list LOs

EASA RMT 0595

An effective exam & assessment system

010

020

030

090

050

060

070

080

040

ECQB exams ATO assessments 100 K

SA

3. What does it look like?

Learn by doing ………whilst enjoying……

Plan, consolidate understanding and discuss.

Deliver presentations …..

Discover how systems work alongside theory

Scenario oral board, group questions and key essays

Experience, succeed and develop further…

4.How - solutions

Systems course design:

Analysis

Design & development

Evaluation

Robust ATO SMS and compliance processes

Work and be overseen within the performance based

environment

Develop our next generation of ground instructors

through training:

Ground Instructor Core Courses could include; core

competencies and instructor competencies, CRM,

TEM, teaching and learning, facilitation methods,

resilience and mentoring/tutoring

Subject aviation knowledge and practical skill training

at appropriate

& Benefits

Trainee & Sponsor:

Trainee learns rapidly through range of learning

styles and ‘learning by exploring’

• increases trainee motivation, understanding and

retention

Trainee receives up to date training, directly related to

future career which:

• ensures greater value for training costs

• reduces exposure to later training risk

EASA Safety Conference 2015 App result

91.7%

0.0%

2.8%

5.6%

0.0% 25.0% 50.0% 75.0% 100.0%

If you were in ground school would you prefer to learn about a

system such as the CDU/FMS or autopilot by:

a) Listening to a PowerPoint lecture

b) Reading a manual

c) Rote learning exam answers

d) Learning by exploring with facilitated

teaching

Industry

benefits from improved output from ab-initio training

system which:

increases number of competent pilots available for

selection

European Industry Questionnaire results;

‘A student’s ability to relate knowledge between

subjects and to scenario situations is important

for later training effectiveness.’

Strongly

Agree Agree

Neither

Agree /

Disagree Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

‘Compared to the present ground training

courses, a wider knowledge and skills

competence ground training course (including

interwoven TEM) would improve safety’

Strongly

Agree Agree

Neither

Agree /

Disagree Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Your future ……

Questions and comments