A working group led by the Aircrew Training Policy Group (ATPG) and Halldale Group is aiming to provide a straightforward guide for Big Data in Aviation Training that is accessible to operators of any size or scope across the globe.

The ATPG and Halldale Group took the feedback from the CAT Leader Forum EBT/CBTA and Big Data virtual workshops and webinars earlier this year, acknowledged that there is still a great deal of work to do, and kicked off the Big Data working group in August 2021 to help industry make sense of Big Data. The working group is a positive biproduct of the Leader Forum which comprised five topics of key industry interest: Skill Decay, XR technologies, EBT/CBTA, Big Data, and UPRT. The team is led by the product owner, Allyson Kukel from the Halldale Group, and scrum master Andy Mitchell, chair of the EASA ATPG. 

“Andy and I share a passion for data found at the intersection of pilot training and technology,” said Kukel, who explained why they chose to move forward with an MVP (minimal viable product). “Because we are using an agile methodology, we have an iterative approach to the project with a small, self-organizing, cross-functional, team which allows us to produce this MVP in weeks not months.

Mitchell added: “The key advantage of using agile frameworks is that we are able to iterate quickly, incorporating a “continuous improvement” philosophy by engaging with potential end-users early in the process, learn lessons, and course-correct rapidly to ensure the MVP is of the highest value to as many stakeholders as possible.”

The scope of the Big Data MVP is recurrent pilot training and consists of seven chapters that address best practices around Big Data. It will be delivered as a white paper with the aims of:

  • Answering, why use data in pilot and instructor training
  • Provide insights for collection and analysis 
  • Tackle reporting and visualization
  • Explain how to turn the data into useful and actionable information, and to propel that information into action. 
  • Begin to address data’s effect on the future of pilot training. 

The second iteration, or Big Data 1.0 will expand to cover lessons learned with the intention that 2.0 will cover common definitions. The working group will draw from ICAO, EASA, FAA, and IATA expertise to ensure alignment with the industry. 

To find out more, or if you would like to contribute to this working group, please contact Allyson Kukel at allyson.kukel@halldale.com