AI in Action: New Podcast Series Explores AI's Role in Aviation Training and Safety-Critical Industries

Halldale Group has launched a new podcast series titled "AI in Action," exploring the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence and its applications in workforce training across civil aviation, military and wider safety-critical industries.

The inaugural episode, hosted by Andy Fawkes, Special Correspondent for Military Simulation and Training at Halldale, features an insightful panel discussion with three distinguished experts in the field: Rick Adams, author of "The Robots in the Simulator: Artificial Intelligence in Aviation Training"; Cedric Paillard, CEO of the Airline Pilot Club; and Colin Hillier, CEO of Mission Decisions.

"Doing Nothing Is Not An Option"

The wide-ranging discussion addresses how AI is currently being used in aviation and safety-critical training, its benefits and challenges, and provides guidance on how organisations can navigate this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

"AI is being discussed widely as a transformative force in workforce training and education. But alongside this enthusiasm and seemingly never-ending developments, there is still much uncertainty," Fawkes notes in his introduction to the series, before warning that uncertainty shouldn't lead to inaction. "Doing nothing is not an option," he said.

What AI Means for Training

The panel explored various perspectives on what AI means in the context of training. Adams described AI as "super computing on steroids" that can be an extremely useful tool for processing large datasets at unprecedented speeds, while Paillard highlighted AI's ability to personalise and optimise training by analysing diverse types of data.

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Current Applications and Benefits

The experts shared examples of how AI is already being applied in aviation training, including:

• Candidate selection for pilot recruitment
• Skills development and personalised learning
• Generating training scenarios in simulators
• Enhancing evidence-based training
• Streamlining recruitment processes
• Supporting competency-based training frameworks

One key theme that emerged was how AI is helping organisations better manage and utilise their data. As Paillard explained: "When they see what the AI is capable of doing when the data is actually well organised and structured... they actually realise how important it is to organise the data."

Challenges and Considerations

The panel identified several challenges that organisations must address when implementing AI solutions:

• Getting instructors to embrace new technologies and change established methodologies
• Building trust in AI systems through consistent, reliable performance
• Ensuring proper data security and governance
• Developing appropriate regulatory frameworks for AI in safety-critical environments
• Addressing the "data gap" – extracting and structuring institutional data effectively

Adams said that while older instructors might be reluctant to adopt AI tools: "the younger generation of pilots and instructors are embracing the data. They want to know what it shows them about their own performance."

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Guidance for Organisations

For leaders considering AI implementation in their training programmes, the panel recommended a measured approach:

1. Start with small pilot programmes focused on specific, well-defined use cases
2. Ensure proper change management and AI awareness education
3. Focus on building trust by demonstrating reliability and adherence to standards
4. Consider sharing data through common pools or "data lakes" to accelerate development
5. Look for incremental benefits rather than revolutionary change

As Paillard advised: "Don't go into AI saying that AI is going to do everything for you... We always recommend a small-step approach first, where you clearly see the benefits of using AI in your operation."

The panel also discussed the need for better data sharing between organisations. Adams highlighted his vision for a "shared data lake" that would allow flight schools and smaller organisations to benefit from the vast amounts of training data collected by larger entities.

Looking Ahead

The AI in Action series will continue with the next episode planned for May 2025, with additional episodes to follow throughout the year.

For aviation and training professionals looking to understand how AI might impact their operations, this new podcast series offers practical insights from industry experts who are at the forefront of implementing these technologies in safety-critical environments.

Watch the full episode on the Halldale website to hear the complete discussion on the opportunities and challenges of AI in aviation training.

Read The Full Episode Transcript