WATS Maintenance Track Day 1 Recap

Session 3, Training Analysis and Development

Dr Bill Johnson, moderator of the maintenance stream, kicked off the first maintenance session, welcoming the attendees. The well attended session was led off by Amrish Pothack, AirBusiness Academy. The aviation management trainer spoke to the results of their research into what makes a successful management course, framed by what they consider the five essential elements: relevance to learners and organizational needs, competencies linked to knowledge leading to job performance, customization to individual leaners, innovative and effective delivery methods, and make work play through gaming and simulations.

Returning speaker Denis Manson of Aviation Australia recalled his vision of technology and Part 147 schools that he spoke to at WATS 2 years ago. Since then his vision has evolved in the tension between his wants and the constraints of budget realities in “the small end of town.” He suggested that the key to selecting training technologies is to select what is appropriate for the training goals while looking for lower cost but still effective alternative technologies. He further suggested that collaborative efforts amongst the denizens of the small end of town could broaden their capability to acquire more expensive technologies. Above all, he cautioned, schools need to continue to “strive to keep making students Job ready”.

TRU Simulation + Training’s Kyle Crooks provided a peek into the military use of sophisticated maintenance training devices using the C-17 maintenance training suite as a framework for discussing the benefits of using these devices. He stressed however, that selection and use of maintenance training devices is grounded in the Training Systems Requirements Analysis – the TSRA. In other words, selection of training devices starts with the training outcomes, and not the technology.

Session 4, Alternate Training Delivery Methods, kicked off with Hans Mayer of Lufthansa Technik describing their programme for HF continuation training that is designed to go beyond the minimum legal requirements. Focused on a desire to progress towards a for a zero error culture, the strategy involves a number of strategies to communicate, develop and maintain HF competencies. Focused communications and workshops form the heart of the strategy. The series of workshops progress from a focus on the individual behaviours to teamwork and professionalism.

In the final presentation of the afternoon, senior safety investigator D. Smith, US Department of Transportation, revealed that SMS, while the theory is fine, the practice has some way to go. His conclusion that everyone knows about SMS and the four pillars, many fewer know how to make it happen, especially at the working level. He stated, “People agree to SMS but don’t know how”. He added “management needs your help” pleading to training managers to include, and even embed, safety in their training programmes.