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The Competency-based Approach

A Quantum Leap in Pilot Training and Assessment
What, Why and How

WATS 2015
D. Harms
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Aviation Training Consulting

What is competency-based training?

Competency-based training is…

Training and assessment that is characterized by developing and
assessing the overall capability of a trainee across a range of Core
Competencies against a predefined norm rather than by
measuring the performance of individual tasks or manoeuvres
In other words: In competency-based training a task is considered
as completed when the Core Competencies have been applied in
the correct sequence and weighting
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The competency based training principle…

…is based on the insight that inventory based training and the repetition of past
accident scenarios is insufficient to prepare pilots and crews to successfully
handle the infinite number of unforeseeable situations
and that only the existence and the continuous application of a set of Core
Competencies enable pilots and crews to operate safely, efficiently and
effectively and manage the threats of modern civil aviation
Competency-based training focuses on the training outcome rather than training
time. Training hours are replaced by defined performance criteria translated into
measurable behavioral indicators.
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What is competency-based training?

It is the shift from merely developing skills by repeating training tasks until
the outcome corresponds to the prescribed licensing standard assured by a
check ride
to the development and continuous application of the Core Competencies
enabling a crew to handle an infinite number of abnormal scenarios
including the unforeseen
 In other words: The training task is the „vehicle“ to develop the pilot Core
Competencies and their resilient application day by day
 Mastering the Core Competencies will allow a pilot to manage the infinite
number of threats and errors in flight including the previously unseen.
and this is the quantum leap
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Why is it needed?

•Task-based (or inventory- based or hours-based) training has reached its limits
•In our complex world of aviation it is simply impossible to train the infinite
number of all possible abnormal and emergency situations as a means to
prepare for the unforeseen.
• Meeting the qualification requirements of a license, rating or privilege in
terms of hours is not enough

The Solution
From task-based training to competency-based training S
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The List of the Core Competencies (Hand out)

• Application of Procedures, AOP

• Communication, COM
• Aircraft Flightpath Managmt-Automation, AFM-Auto
• Aircraft Flightpath Managmt-Manual; AFM-Man
• Leadership and Teamwork, LTW
• Problem Solving and Decision Making, PSD
• Situation Awareness, SAW
• Workload Management; WLM
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The Core Competencies …

• are applicable to single pilot and multi-crew operations for Captains and Co-pilots
• serve as selection criteria during pilot aptitude testing and selection
• are the core competencies to be developed during ab-initio training;
• are the measurement criteria during type rating, initial line training and recurrent
training during the entire career
• finally, the core competencies serve as measurement criteria for instructor and
evaluator selection and qualification

This is called The Total Systems Approach

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How does competency-based training (and assessment) work?

• The behavioral indicators of each of the core competency

categories express the knowledge, skills and attitude (KSAs)
associated with such competency and serve as measurable
performance to be compared with a NORM. In every single training
event or training lesson
• The competency-based grading system continuously measures the
performance level to which the KSAs are being applied to execute
the task to the required standard under the given condition. Thus it
measures the level of competency achieved.
• The system may describe numerical values with precise word-
pictures / expressions (descriptors). S
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The Input-Output Model

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Competency Based Assessment MATRIX (Model)

INPUT (TEM)
OUTPUT
COM SAW LTW WLM PSD KNO AOP AFMA AFMM

Gnd.Ops.
Take Off
Climb
Cruise Observed
performance
Descent compared with norm
Approach
Landing
NORM NORM NORM NORM NORM NORM NORM NORM NORM
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Learner centered 5-grade performance level system, an example

• Master (5)

• Consolidate (4)
• Practice (3)
• Apply (2)

• Describe (1)

Each level defined by an observable student behavior, task completion and the
magnitude/level of instructor input
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Aviation Training Consulting

Competency-based performance level discriptors (model)

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The interrelation between the Core Competencies, TEM and Airmanship

In the context of TEM the 8 Core Competencies (CC) and their respective behavioural
indicators constitute the team- and individual countermeasures which the crew
applies during all phases of flight to recognize and manage threats, errors and
undesired aircraft states to assure a safe flight under all circumstances..

…the Core Competencies describe in detail what is meant by the term Airmanship.
Both describe pilot performance
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The fallacy

• If you agree to what I have said isn‘t it obvious that it is the existence and
continuous application of the core competencies acquired through a structured
training course with continuous performance tracking which makes a good pilot
and that experience measured in flying hours is of secondary importance;

• And that the assumption that ‘experience as a pilot equates with good
performance’ is a dangerous fallacy.

• Even if you do not agree to my conclusion it is fact that the days when we could
choose our future cockpit crews from applicants which passed the „natural“
selection by having survived thousands of hours „as a pilot“ are irretrievably over.

• If you like it or not, we need the new approach!

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A globally harmonized competency-based training and assessment system

can you imagine what it would mean if we could globally agree on a common set of
pilot core competencies for civil aviation training, assessment and day by day air
carrier operation!
• In terms of improving operational safety
• In terms of comparability of data
• In terms of the simplification of oversight
• In terms of harmonizing licensing processes
• In terms of permeability of the labor market for pilots
• and last not least in terms of costs
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Let me repeat – The paradigm shift

• From hours based to competency based training
• The 8 Core Competencies and their behaviour markers are the predominant
measurement criteria (beyond fulfilling task completion standards)
• From task drill to competency application to prepare for the unforeseen
• Training tasks are the vehicle for competency development
• Application of TEM as an overarching safety management tool
• Data driven through continuous assessment
• From tactical to strategicaly thinking
• From re-active to pro-active training
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Competency-based training and assessment is NOT a sophisticated theoretical

model

It is a solid and practical data driven training method to prepare pilots to successfully
handle the challenges of modern civil aviation

but it needs

• Knowledgable course designers

• Well prepared instructors

• Well prepared regulators for an effective oversight

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Aviation Training Consulting

No presentation without an update on the global status of MPL-because MPL

training follows the competency-based training principle

Global Status 1. April 2015: 27 programs > 3.100 students enrolled > 1.100 graduates
new entrants: ANA, JAL and Etihad

Announcements:
1. Co-branded Edition 2 of the IATA Guidance Material and Best Practice for MPL
Implementation ready for download from the IATA website soon
2. Global MPL Survey by Rickard Wikander and Nicklas Dahlström from Lund
University School of Aviation to receive qualitative data useful to further
improving MPL training to start soon
Thank You