Andy Smith on Expanding the Heads of Training Meetings for Global Impact

In this Inside Aviation interview, Halldale correspondent Atul Chandra speaks with Andy Smith, Halldale’s founder and CEO, about the strategic direction of the Heads of Training (HoT) meetings and their growing influence across the global aviation training community.

The HoT meetings at Halldale’s WATS, APATS and EATS events provide a secure, collaborative environment where heads of training from airlines and ATOs exchange insights, compare practices and address shared challenges. 

The format has evolved into structured roundtables led by subject matter experts, supported by student reporters, and focused on ten core training issues. Smith notes that the confidentiality of the discussions is central to their value, enabling frank dialogue and practical knowledge-sharing.

As part of this ongoing work, Halldale is inviting senior pilot training leaders to save the date for the WATS Pilot Heads of Training Workshop, taking place on Monday, 4 May 2026 in Orlando, ahead of the World Aviation Training Summit. 

This invitation‑ or application‑only, closed‑door workshop is designed for Directors of Flight Operations, Chief Pilots, Heads of Training and other senior pilot training leaders. It provides a trusted, non‑commercial setting for peer discussion on the strategic challenges shaping pilot training today.

While the final agenda is still in development, typical discussion areas include:

• CBTA/EBT maturity and implementation
• Instructor standardisation and assessment consistency
• AI, data and emerging technologies in pilot training
• Regulatory alignment and cross‑border acceptance

Smith and Jacques Drappier are also working to expand the reach of the HoT meetings by engaging national aviation authorities. Smith believes regulators need their own secure forum to collaborate and align on training standards, helping transform meeting outputs into tangible regional outcomes.

He also highlights the development of the Airline Training Leaders Forum, a secure online environment where discussions can continue between events. Outcome documents from recent summits are being published progressively, with a consolidated report planned to support future decision‑making.

With aviation evolving quickly, Smith remains committed to strengthening global training standards. He sees the Heads of Training meetings as a key mechanism for building a more connected, safety‑focused industry - one where collaboration drives meaningful progress.