APATS Day 2: Training Evolves for Real-World Operations

The second day of APATS 2026 put the practical application of new approaches to aviation training firmly in focus, as delegates explored how the industry can better prepare people for the complexity and unpredictability of real-world operations.

Across the Pilot, ATO, Cabin Crew, Maintenance and FSTDO Regulatory streams, discussions ranged from making Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) work in practice and strengthening pilot resilience to identifying cabin crew leadership potential, bridging generational differences in maintenance training and the growing role of virtual and mixed reality.

Among the day’s highlights were:

Regulatory

The new Flight Simulation Training Device Operator (FSTDO) Regulatory stream continued its discussions on the changing global regulatory landscape, particularly in light of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)’s new FSTD Capability Signature (FCS) framework. Launched to bring Asia-Pacific regulators, simulator operators and industry together, steam moderator Mark Dransfield judged it a great first step.

“We knew it was needed, but we didn’t know how it would be received. We were delighted to welcome 75 people in the workstream, which was perhaps more than we expected.

“This is a really good start, but it needs to continue. The challenge is getting regulators to engage, which will be a key objective for APATS 2027.”

Participants included Victor Dufort, Group Head of Simulator Management and Training at Alpha Aviation Group, who described discussions as “informative” and “very enjoyable.”

“I’m even more confused that than I was before, but in a good way because we have all discussed how we are going to work together as an industry. We have a forum now, which was much needed.”

Pilot: Making CBTA Work in Practice

The Pilot stream turned its attention to how CBTA can move beyond theory to become a more integrated and operationally valuable part of aviation training.

Thomas Bessière, CEO of Hinfact, an aviation technology company specialized in advanced pilot training software, and Captain Sander van Bergen, Head of Flight Training at Airbus Beijing, examined how closer integration between CBTA, Training Management Systems and Safety Management Systems could help turn training data and competency insights into a more proactive safety tool.

“The competency framework is providing currency to the safety language,” said Cpt van Bergen. “It means that a training trend and a safety risk are the same currency.”

Cédric Coffignal, Training Manager France and CBTA/EBT Subject Matter Expert at Simaero, a provider of aviation training solutions, approached implementation from the instructor’s perspective, examining how effective course design can improve consistency, reduce ambiguity and give instructors a stronger framework for coaching and assessment.

“If the design doesn’t tell you, the outcome of the assessment can be totally different for the same exercise,” he said. “That isn’t an issue of instructor standardisation; it’s a gap in the design.”

Pilot: AI Makes Human Factors More Visible

AviatePro Founder and CEO Krisztian Makai presented Simvidence Powered by Simnest, an AI-assisted training-review platform, and explored how the technology could be applied in pilot training.

Makai explored how non-intrusive AI and computer vision can make factors such as workload, resilience and cockpit dynamics more visible, providing instructors with additional evidence to support debriefing while preserving the central role of instructor judgement.

“Sometimes the instructor misses some points in the simulator” where it can be hard to see the pilot, Makai said. “We wanted to provide a system that highlights those moments, which the instructor can review very quickly.”

Cabin Crew: What Makes a Leader?

In the Cabin Crew stream, Aleksandra Kapela, Associate Aviation Psychologist at Symbiotics Ltd., challenged traditional assumptions about what predicts leadership potential among cabin crew.

Through scenarios, behavioural exercises and audience participation, the workshop explored the difference between appearing to be a leader and demonstrating the behaviours required to lead effectively in an operational environment.

The session considered the role of Crew Resource Management competencies, communication, emotional regulation and behavioural indicators in identifying future leaders, and how competency-based assessment and behavioural data could support better-informed decisions about crew development and promotion.

“In aviation we already know that [training] is not working if we simply try to prevent failure,” she said. “The important thing is to understand how people cope with it, how they handle stress, and how they recover and adapt to the situation.”

She said psychometric assessment can help instructors understand why a student repeatedly makes the same mistake and tailor training accordingly. “When there is more evidence, we can design better training, select better people and support instructors throughout the process.”

Maintenance: Bridging the Generations

With Asia-Pacific generating significant demand for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), the Maintenance stream turned its attention to one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: developing the workforce needed to support future growth.

Laura Diedrich, Head of Lufthansa Technical Training Operations Asia-Pacific at Lufthansa Technical Training, explored how maintenance training organisations can respond to different generational expectations and learning styles while delivering consistent and operationally relevant training.

“Do your research before training,” she said. “But then forget all of that once you meet the actual trainee in front of you and see what that individual needs.”

Drawing on experience across the region, the session examined culturally aware and human-centred approaches to technical training and how instructors can engage an increasingly diverse workforce.

Pilot: VR Takes a Bigger Role in Pilot Training

Virtual and mixed reality are playing an increasingly important role in pilot training, giving pilots more opportunities to practise beyond the full-flight simulator and allowing valuable simulator time to be used more effectively.

At APATS, Santeri Saarinen of Helsinki XR Center presented a standalone VR cockpit training module developed with Finnair Flight Academy for familiarisation, procedural practice and multi-crew learning.

“Mobile XR devices can already support meaningful redistribution of training tasks in aviation, especially moving familiarisation and procedural practice out of full-flight simulators, freeing that time for actually flying,” he said.

The session, which included presentations from Dr Aki Nikolaidis of Visionary Training Resources and Dr Johannes Hain, CEO of Reiser Simulation and Training, showed how immersive technology is evolving from an additional training tool into a more integrated part of the pilot training ecosystem, helping pilots practise disruption and workload while complementing rather than replacing conventional simulation.

APATS returns to Bangkok on 25–26 August 2027, bringing the Asia-Pacific aviation training community together once again to tackle the challenges shaping the future of training. We look forward to seeing you there.