Shaping the Future Pilot Pipeline at WATS

As airlines, training organisations, and regulators continue to grapple with workforce shortages and evolving competency requirements, the need to rethink how we train pilots from day one has never been more urgent. The Ab Initio Stream at the World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) brings together global experts to tackle exactly that challenge, offering fresh perspectives, research-driven insights, and practical solutions to better align early-stage pilot training with airline expectations.

Student Perceptions

One of the standout sessions is from Dr. Lauren Burmester, Assistant Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Airlines and universities have developed pathway programs to create clearer, more structured routes from education to employment. Her research explores how students perceive these initiatives: what motivates their participation, how they evaluate the benefits and drawbacks, and how these insights can inform improvements to program design.

At WATS, she will present Student Perception of Pilot Pathway Programs and Motivation to Join. “This presentation moves beyond partnerships and policy to examine student perspectives on pilot pathway programs, and their motivation to join; an area that remains underexplored. For those invested in strengthening pilot pipeline programs across flight schools and airlines, this research provides actionable insights with direct implications for practice.”

The ATO Gap

Also featuring in the Ab Initio Stream, Nick Munns, Pilot Training Specialist at Boeing Global Services, will present Competent Pilots: Bridging the Pilot Skills Gap between ATO and Airline. Airlines are demanding higher pilot standards and have raised concerns about standardization and new hires lacking airline-relevant knowledge. His session examines how Approved Training Organizations (ATOs) can better prepare pilots for airline careers by developing frameworks that go beyond accumulating the hours required for obtaining a commercial pilot certificate to focus on relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Drawing on data gathered over the past two years, Munns highlights how ab-initio pilots benefit from competency-based training from the outset. His presentation outlines an approach that includes airline-centric scenario-based training, progressive multimedia assessments, video-supported feedback, and structured instructor development and standardisation. Attendees will also hear directly from ATO representatives and customers about their experiences implementing competency-based training, alongside practical strategies to address challenges such as instructor experience, adoption costs, and time pressures.

Advocacy Matters

Another highlight is Lee Collins, CEO of the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA), who will present Legislative Matters: The Role of Advocacy for Flight Training. With experience spanning flight training, airline operations, and government affairs, Collins will explore the role of advocacy in supporting the flight training sector.

Together, these sessions highlight key themes within the Ab Initio Stream, including pilot training pathways, competency-based training, and alignment between training organisations and airline requirements.

Save your seat for these presentations and more by registering for WATS below!