Enhancing Pilot Performance and Training at WATS

As aviation continues to evolve under increasing operational, regulatory, and human performance demands, the Pilot Stream at the World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) brings together key voices addressing how pilots are trained, assessed, and supported throughout their careers.

The easyJet Way

A central session in the stream comes from Captain Daniele Grassini, Director of Training & Standards at easyJet, who together with Captain Mark Farquhar will present Instructor standardisation to promote safe, effective and efficient line operations. His presentation explores how a clear vision and defined training strategy have shaped easyJet’s approach to delivering a consistent learning experience for pilots.

The session examines the implementation of instructor and evaluator competencies, including their application in recruitment, initial training, and assessment, alongside lessons learned from pilot competency-based training. It also addresses instructor concordance, outlining methods for analysis and the use of pilot competency data to generate insights that support standardisation.

“We didn’t standardise training by telling instructors how to teach – we started by challenging ourselves as a training leadership team,” says Grassini. “By focusing on the quality of our devices and facilities, how we recruit and develop instructors, and redefining the relationship between training and the pilot community, we’ve built a system where trust, alignment and data driven insight deliver consistent, high quality training outcomes at scale.”

Simulated Air Traffic Control Environment

Also featuring Larry McDonald, Senior Technical Specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who will present FAA Research: SATCE (Simulated Air Traffic Control Environment) alongside industry consultant Dr. Jeremy Goodman. SATCE is potentially one of the first AI-based technologies to impact pilot training programs globally, and this session shares findings from a multi-year FAA research project evaluating its effectiveness in commercial airline pilot training.

The research includes trials conducted with a large U.S. air carrier using SATCE within a Level D full-flight simulator for recurrent scenario-based training. This research will help inform FAA policy development on simulator qualification and pilot training requirements, and the findings will help shape regulatory pathways for widespread adoption.

The Power of the Mind

Another session not to miss is Dr. Jannell MacAulay, retired U.S. Air Force commander and human performance scientist, who will present Unlocking Cognitive Performance for the Next Era of Aviation. Her session focuses on the role of mental skills training in aviation, addressing the growing demands placed on pilots and other aviation professionals.

Drawing on research into neuroplasticity and high-performance environments, the session explores how strengthening cognitive skills such as focus, stress recovery, and attentional control can improve safety and performance. It also examines how approaches used in military contexts can translate into commercial aviation training.

“Mind-wandering and stress are ordinary human functions that have an extraordinary impact on the aviation mission, potentially diminishing performance when it matters most,” says Dr. MacAulay. “Closing this gap requires deliberate mindset training to build psychological flexibility, ensuring individuals can think clearly, adapt under pressure, and optimize their performance in stressful environments. This session will introduce you to the concept of mindset training, its necessity for aviation readiness, and how technologies, like the MindGym, are preparing military aviators for the future fight.”

Together, these sessions reflect the breadth of the Pilot Stream at WATS, spanning instructor standardisation, regulatory research into emerging simulation technologies, and the development of cognitive performance. The programme highlights how training continues to expand beyond technical proficiency, incorporating data, innovation, and human performance to support safer and more effective flight operations.

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