The World Aviation Training Conference & Tradeshow – Orlando Florida
The WATS 2010 show was well attended with the number of International aviation professionals exceeding one thousand.
Andy Smith the President of Halldale Media the host of WATS describes “the aviation industry itself is in the midst of a degree of adjustment and re-calibration particularly in the US”.
In order to better understand these changes there were presentations from many key players in the industry, including Mr. Randolph Babbitt the FAA administrator and Captain Kay Executive Air Safety Chairman ALPA.
Key emerging points of discussion from Mr. Babbitt included:
-The importance of automation on board aircraft and the advanced technology that can help support the automation.
-Essential to this technology is the necessity to have a competent pilot in the loop to leverage that technology.
-The Future in effective crew training lies in simulation, competency training, selection, retention and crew tracking.
-Professionalism must be fostered 24/7 – what pilots do in the cockpit during normal ops is critical to their professionalism and not just how they perform during their line check.
-SMS must be scalable for small operators and should not be in addition to jobs but the way to do jobs. Collection of data is necessary to spot trends.
-Regional pilot regulation for part 121/135 NPRM is proposed to make the commercial pilot requirement equal to 750 hrs. With more emphasis on energy management, icing management and scenario based training. ALPA agreed that there is a need to increase the quality of hours achieved and fully supports the Frozen ATPL academic route of pilot training.
Captain Kay (ALPA) further emphasized similar comments:
-Regardless of the automation manual flight skills are essential and need to be worked on in proficiency training and is essential to the skill sets needed in spite of automation.
-Training for commanders needs to deal with leadership and conflict resolution to command authority.
-Mgmt must buy in to this authority.
Pilots must be engaged and aware of the technology but must not become reliant on the technology. This was further supported by a presentation by former astronaut Captain Winston Scott, who emphasized the need to have in depth of knowledge of systems which we are overlooking in our current flight training.
-Important to have standardization as data proves that it reduces accident rates and increases pilot proficiency.
-Technology must support the pilot not the other way around.
-Simulation is the key to the future of training pilots.
International Association of Flight Training Professionals
ATAC participated with in the newly formed IAFTP which held several meetings at the WATS to help identify, recognize, and communicate Global Pilot Training Best Practices.