WATS 2021 Pilot Programme

We are pleased to unveil our pilot conference programme for the 2021 World Aviation Training Summit (WATS) from June 15-16 in Orlando, FL, USA, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.

WATS addresses the current and future training issues affecting your business, from personnel selection and recruitment, to regulation and training technologies. It offers unrivalled opportunities to meet with the key decision makers and influencers within the international airline training community, and allows attendees to discuss the latest training technologies and techniques to improve operational safety and efficiency for pilot, cabin crew, and maintenance training.

Be sure to register your attendance as we move ‘Forward Together’.

WATS Conference Chair – Rick Adams, Editor, CAT Magazine

Day 1 – Tuesday 15th June 2021

0930-1030  Session 1: Opening Remarks & Keynote Address (all conference tracks)

1030-1115  Coffee

1115-1245  Session 2: The Dynamic Air Sector (all conference tracks)
1) Robert Burke, Group Manager, Training and Simulation Group, FAA
FAA Update
2) Sheri Pippin, Aviation Safety, Air Transportation Division, FAA
Pilot Professional Development Rulemaking
3) Dr. Matt Vance, Professional Pilot Faculty, Oklahoma State University
Undeniable Emerging Trends in Commercial Aviation

1245-1400  Lunch

1400-1530  Session 3: Rebuilding on New Foundations
1) Chris Ranganathan, Chief Learning Officer, CAE
Advances in Pilot Training as the Industry Recovers
2) Sanjay Kaeley, Head of Product Solutions, Commercial Aviation, L3Harris
Data: How Do We Connect with the Pilot?
3) Scott Nutter, Principal, Touch & Go Solutions
How Capable is Your Organization? Business Capability Modeling for Pilot Training

1530-1615  Coffee

1615-1745  Session 4: Are Aviation Personnel Prepared?
1) Michael Tarsa, IngenuitE Corporation
Standards to Support Effective Flight Path Management
2) Captain Pete Wolfe, Executive Director, Professional Aviation Board of Certification
A New PABC
3) Angeline Ram, PhD Candidate, University of Waterloo
A Safety Culture of Belonging Through CRM – The Next Evolution

1745 Networking Reception

Day 2 – Wednesday 16th June 2021

0900-1030  Session 5: Reaffirming the NextGen
1) Nicholas Wilson, Associate Professor of Aviation, University of North Dakota
Pre-Career Pilots and Motivation – What is the best predictor of performance?
2) Dr. Suzanne Kearns, Associate Professor of Aviation, University of Waterloo & Simon Witts, Founder, Aviation 360 & ENGAP UK
Engaging the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals – the work of Project ENGAP
3) Dr. Bob Thomas, Assistant Professor, Aeronautical Science Dept, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
New Learning Technologies Using 3D Environments

1030-1115  Coffee

1115-1245  Session 6: Technology Enablers
1) Dr. Julian Abich, Sr. Human Factors Engineer, Dr. Eric Sikorski, Director – Programs & Research & CJ Montalbano, Human Factors Engineer, Quantum Improvements Consulting
Usability and User Experience Evaluation of Six VR Head-Mounted Displays for Pilot Training
2) Lori J. Brown, Associate Professor, College of Aviation, Western Michigan University
Shaping the Future of Global Aviation Training with Spatial Computing using Digital Twins and NextGen AR Technologies
3) Pasha Saleh, Director Flight Operations Strategy & Innovation, Alaska Airlines & Rama Myers, VP Aviation, Seeing Machines
Eye Tracking: A Window into Pilot Monitoring and Instrument Scanning Behavior to Support Evidence-Based Training and Realtime Feedback

1245-1400  Lunch

1400-1530  Session 7: Airline Recovery Challenges
1) Owen Sims, Senior Lecturer Aviation, Southampton Solent University
Human Factors Implications in a Post-Covid World
2) Bryan Quigley, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, United Airlines & Captain Robert Thomas, Chairman, Human Factors & Training Group, ALPA Intl.
Navigating the Dynamic Challenges of Pilot Supply, Recruitment, Mentorship and Training

1530-1615  Coffee

1615-1745  Session 8: Interactive Roundtable: The Hottest Training Issues
Building on the success of our very popular Heads of Training (HoT) forums at the APATS and EATS conferences, the finale will feature an open discussion of some of the most significant issues facing the civil aviation training community today. The session will be moderated by a distinguished panel representing airlines, training organizations, academia, industry and regulatory. This may be the most stimulating 90 minutes of the year.

1745 Closing Remarks