EATS 2014 Flight Plan Filed for Berlin

Conference Chair Chris Lehman files a preview.

The European Airline Training Symposium (EATS) will land at the Estrel Hotel in Berlin, Germany this autumn. Taking place from October 28-29, there will be an additional meeting for Heads of Training on the evening of 27 October. EATS 2014 will continue our annual tradition of exploring European expertise in aviation training and simulation, and once again there will be a simultaneous cabin crew training stream to complement pilot training.

Now in its 16th year, the theme of EATS 2014 is "Optimising Simulation and Training for the Flight Crew,” and significant participation from EASA will help delegates understand the latest European regulatory developments for both pilot and cabin training. The main focus of EATS however, has always been to explore European training “best practice” and this year will be no exception. FTOs, TRTOs, airline operators and representatives from academia will provide their perspectives and advice on the industry’s most pressing training challenges across Europe, the Middle East and Asia as well as the wider world. Gold sponsor of EATS 2014 is CAE, and the exhibition floor will include a wide cross-section of the industry’s simulation and training suppliers.

EATS provides a uniquely European perspective on civil aviation training, yet attracts conference delegates, speakers, and exhibitors from around the globe. Since inception, a hallmark of EATS is the quality of attendees – quite literally the majority of the senior personalities that drive this highly specialised sector. Last year some 450 delegates from 59 airlines and 42 countries attended EATS 2013, along with 48 international exhibitors.

European and global personnel recruitment, human factors, cultural and safety training issues will be explored at EATS 2014, including the experience to date with MPL. Several presentations – including a Keynote – will be delivered by EASA, and senior industry speakers will explore Evidence-Based Training, LOC-I, ATQP, the latest thinking on English language training, and even what flight crews need to know about aviation law and operating for fuel efficiency.

Over in the cabin track, speakers will also explore the complete range of training issues including new hire training and selection, evacuation/egress training, CRM training, unruly passengers, medical emergencies, and the new training and simulation media. In fact, across both conference tracks, EATS will explore the range of today’s training and simulation technologies, including airline “lessons learned” from implementing e-learning and mobile training technologies.

An exciting new development for EATS 2014 is a final panel for both conference streams that offers delegates the opportunity to “Peer into the Future with your Peers.” Senior international training experts from academia, air carriers, regulators, and equipment suppliers will offer their views of what the future holds for the industry, inviting delegates to weigh-in with their own views. There’s no better opportunity this year to obtain an insight as to exactly where our industry is headed.

The conference programmes are on pages 48-49 of this issue, and as the final touches are put on the conference streams check the Halldale website frequently for updates -  www.halldale.com/eats. See you in Berlin!