Report on ICAO TRAINAIR Conference and SymposiumDecember 7-11, 2009

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Introduction

ICAO TRAINAIR hosted its 11th Global Symposium and Conference in Punta Cana from 7-11, December, 2009. Global TRAINAIR Conferences and Training Symposia (GTC) are held every three years and allow members of the TRAINAIR Programme to:

a) review the policies and rules of the network;b) coordinate and establish development priorities for STPs;c) explore areas of possible cooperation and collaboration amongst participating training institutions;d) exchange views and share experiences;e) establish goals and objectives for Regional Conferences; andf) address training issues of mutual interest.

Fifty-two (52) countries were represented at the conference and symposium.

Trainair Symposium

The TRAINAIR Symposium was conducted from 7-9 December, 2009. The following presentations were made:

1. Enhanced Organizational Effectiveness through Human Factors Training

The often quoted statistic that 80 percent of aviation accidents are a direct result of human error is everywhere. As Immanuel Barshi of NASA Ames recently challenged in Dallas: “if it is not human error, then what is it then?”

Regardless of the percentage, the single biggest challenge to our industry is the management of human error, or stated another way, the consistent development and fostering of performance effectiveness at an acceptable risk level.

There is no single magic bullet that will resolve organizational shortfalls in human factors training or in the way an organization will assess its intrinsic safety through proactive and reactive processes. Rather like the professional golfer, who will use up to 14 clubs to achieve his/her goal, organizations have to approach their human factors training with similar diversity and flexibility.

Mr. Gary T. Hook, of Southern California Safety Institute made this presentation and highlighted that SCSI uses a continuum of training programs to assist organizations in both understanding the nature of the challenge and how to develop reactive and proactive prevention strategies.

2. Evolution of the Trainair Course Development Methodology

Dr. John Chapman, a TRAINAIR Consultant, made a presentation that traced the evolution of the TRAINAIR course development methodology since the inception of the programme in ICAO through to present day. He emphasized the basic principles that underlie the methodology and the main features of its implementation. The need to produce an updated version of the Training Development Guideline was discussed and recent proposed changes to the methodology were presented.

3. Effective Interaction between Operational Level and Aviation Training Centers through TRAINAIR Methodology Approach

Messrs Y.I. Klyuchnikov and V.V. Kupin of St. Petersburg State University of Civil Aviation in the Russian Federation presented a paper on how to achieve conformity between TRAINAIR methodology and conventional educational requirements. They outlined how TRAINAIR methodology has helped their university’s Course Development Unit (CDU) provide proper interaction with job performance level.

4. Application of System Wide Information Management Concept in Aviation Training

Dr. Jevgenijs Oborins, of ANS Training Centre in Latvia made the presentation on System Wide Information Management (SWIM). The concept includes an appropriate architectural model in conjunction with policies, standards, methodology and technologies of information sharing. Training applications can be integrated into the SWIM architectural model. Some SWIM training services will be derived from those which exist at the moment, but new ones obviously will exploit SWIM capabilities in extensive information sharing.

5. Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Initiatives

ICAO and industry stakeholders have joined efforts to develop policies to ensure that enough competent personnel are available to manage and maintain a global air transportation system. The aviation industry is challenged by a difficult economic context, changing demographics and new technologies with far-reaching potential.

In this context, it becomes urgent to review existing regulations and propose a new regulatory environment for the recruitment, education, training and retention of the next generation of aviation professionals. The presentation by Ms. Nicole Barrette-Sabourin described the work undertaken in the IATA Training and Qualifications Initiative (ITQI), and ICAO’s Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Task Force.

Some information concerning the upcoming Next Generation of Aviation Professionals Symposium that will be hosted by ICAO from 1 to 4 March 2010 were provided.

6. Global Aviation Training Strategies for Air Safety

This presentation by ICAO Secretariat proposed a set of strategies oriented to harmonize national policies in training to ensure an effective approach to unified training standards and application criteria in the Regions: identical training solutions for similar operational problems.

7. e-Learning Share in Civil Aviation Training

Sri Lanka, in this presentation, explored the possibilities of e-Learning in Civil Aviation Training. Cost factor is the major consideration that favours e-Learning solutions. In Civil Aviation Training safety takes priority over the cost factor. Other factors could influence the share of e-Learning level to be different to that of other industries. This presentation identified six such factors and quantifies the e- Learning share levels for ICAO listed courses, based on these factors. These figures would be of importance to the course developer community in making decisions on developing e-Learning solutions.

8. Competency and Proficiency – Airfield Engineering Personnel

The aviation industry needs to review the way it justifies and defines the level and type of training provided to airfield engineering personnel. It should also recognize and take due consideration of the fact that our industry has changed and continues to develop.

Mr. Keith Costall, Training and Certification Manger at ADB Airfield Solutions in generated discussions in order to identify clear guidelines for the training and recognition of engineering personnel working airside.

9. Enhanced Training across the Borders with E-Learning

The often heard quote is that the only thing that is constant is change. In fact, Mr. Gary T. Hook in this presentation, suggested that there are three constants: change, principles and choice. He added “If we embrace the opportunities presented to us with change, and lead and manage it effectively, our organizations will grow. To lead change effectively we base our actions on principles. Indeed it is our choice. So when one examines the challenges we face in training our personnel, faced with seemingly constant change, we must choose to embrace the principles of effective learning”.

Today’s ‘student’ is no longer happy with a simple black and white page with writing. Organizations are no longer happy with expensive courses that require their personnel to be away for extended periods. These are two of the major challenges that an effective and focused E-learning programme can overcome.

Mr. Hook shared and developed the learning principles embraced at Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI) and how they capture them, develop them, and present them through their innovative Distant and E-Learning programs.

10. The Need to Know

Because of continuing evolvement in techniques, concept, and methodology, training has become one of the most important issues on the agenda in executing government decisions. The need to know is playing a key role in processes and awareness. The Netherlands presented a paper on how the learning processes should be stimulated, how to expand horizons and also how to make it fun.

11. The Use of Distance Learning applied to the TRAINAIR Methodology courses - the Brazilian Experience with the Airport Noise Control Course

Brazil is a country of continental dimensions which plays an important role in world civil aviation. Given the country’s significance in the sector, the Brazilian National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), as a regulatory and overseeing body, has adopted distance education as a strategy for meeting the domestic and international demand for qualified professionals. Alex Castaldi Romera of the National Civil Aviation Agency in Brazil presented a paper on their experience with an Airport Noise Control distance learning course given the vastness of their country.

11th Global Trainair Conference

The following matters were addressed at the 11th Global TRAINAIR Conference conducted on 10 and 11 December, 2009:

1. Implementation Process for Membership of Private Training Institutions in the TRAINAIR Programme

The TRAINAIR members debated and adopted ICAO’s Assembly Resolution regarding the opening of ICAO Technical Co-operation Programme to non-State entities and introduction of procedures for membership of private training institutions in accordance with ICAO Policy regarding private sector involvement in the ICAO TRAINAIR Programme.

2. TRAINAIR Programme Status

The current progress in the development of the TRAINAIR Programme since the GTC/10 in October/November 2006 was discussed. Nine (9) training institutions gained membership into the programme.

3. Technical Cooperation Activities

The ICAO Technical Co-operation Bureau (TCB) played a key role in the sustainability of the TRAINAIR Programme and its worldwide implementation. Also, the enhancement in the cooperation between training centres, the ICAO Air Navigation Bureau and TCB has reinforced the TRAINAIR activities for existing and new members.

4. TRAINAIR Policies and Strategies

Almost twenty years have elapsed since the TRAINAIR Programme became part of ICAO. During the GTC/10, the Conference agreed that a renewed set of tools should be made available for course development. This is referred to as TRAINAIR+ and discussions on the future interactivity between TRAINAIR+ and the New Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) were held.

5. STP Development

The participants identified training fields in which Standardized Training Packages (STPs) are completed, in progress or planned. They also identified civil aviation fields in which no STPs are currently planned as a means to enhance the planning process. Regional cooperation and collaboration between TRAINAIR members in both course development activities and sharing subject matter expert (SME) support were encouraged.

6. TRAINAIR Programme Evaluation

As a result of the internal audit of the TRAINAIR Central Unit (TCU), it was recommended to establish measurable, realistic indicators related to the implementation level of the Programme by the members. It would be essential that the information, provided by each CATC member, be systematically collected for future evaluations.

Form 23 (an evaluation questionnaire) was developed by TCU and used during 2007 on a trial basis and the results were first reported during RTCC/4. Some respondents expressed their concern about the functioning of the sharing system. A revised Form 23 was proposed to capture all relevant data and increase the response rate.

7. Future TRAINAIR Activities

As a TRAINAIR members host the TRAINAIR Seminars and Conferences. Hosts and ICAO share the responsibilities and efforts to organize and conduct these events. Action proposed includes advising the Conference of training centres’ interest in hosting the 12th Global TRAINAIR Training Symposium and Conference (4th quarter 2012); the 5th Regional TRAINAIR Coordination Conferences (second to third quarter of 2011) and Course Developers Seminars (third to fourth quarter of 2010).

A tentative plan for TRAINAIR Programme activities was presented.

Turks and Caicos Islands offered to host the English Course Developer’s Seminar, but it was noted that the host has to be a TRAINAIR Member.

8. Sharing System

Proposals for changes to the operating procedures regarding sharing system were presented for consideration.

9. Review of the Report of the Fourth Regional TRAINAIR Coordination Conferences

The Fourth Regional TRAINAIR Coordination Conferences (English and Spanish language conferences) were reviewed. A provisional agenda for the next regional conferences was also presented for consideration by the meeting. The provisional agenda is intended to be used as a basis for the preparation of agendas by each region to meet their specific needs.

10. E- Sharing System

The STP exchange constitutes one of the three cornerstones of the Programme. The promptness and efficiency of the exchange process allows the requesting institution to carry out their training plan in a timely manner. The meeting considered a proposal that could help speed up this process, while respecting the author’s copyright.

11. Standardized on-demand Training

The TRAINAIR Central Unit (TCU) receives an increasing number of requests for customized on-site training from civil aviation authorities, aeronautical services providers, civil aviation training centres, airport authorities and airlines. Often the training requested by these public and private entities has to be delivered in a very short timeframe. Among others, the training is requested for air traffic controllers, aircraft accident and incident investigators, pilots, human resources and training managers, language proficiency evaluators/raters, airport planners, etc. As a result, the meeting considered the activities of the TRAINAIR Central Unit related to on-demand training and the methodologies, tools and options it has at its disposal to support public and private aviation entities.

Presented by Wayne Farley, ATS Training Officer

14th January, 2010