APATS 2024: Shaping the Future of Aviation Training

The Asia Pacific Airline Training Symposium (APATS) 2024 in Singapore left attendees with valuable insights and a clear vision for the future of aviation training. Halldale CEO and Founder Andy Smith shared his key takeaways from the event, highlighting the industry's pressing needs and emerging trends.

Key Themes

Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA)

A recurring topic throughout the symposium was the importance of CBTA across all sectors of aviation training. This approach is now seen as essential for ab initio pilots, experienced pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance personnel alike.

Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL)

The MPL program was hailed as the most modern and effective airline pilot training program available today, emphasizing its relevance in preparing pilots for the complexities of modern aviation.

Ab Initio Flight Training

There was a strong emphasis on the need for airlines to be fully involved and supportive of their training school partners, both in terms of curriculum content and financial support. This collaboration is seen as crucial for developing well-prepared pilots.

Recruitment and Retention

The industry faces significant challenges in recruiting and retaining talent. Two key points emerged:

Firstly, the importance of selecting candidates who are likely to succeed, to avoid wasting limited training resources. And the need to retain talented individuals, especially women, who may be underutilized despite their high capabilities.

Knowledge Transfer

A pressing concern is how to equip new recruits with the hard-earned understanding and judgment of retiring workforce members, ensuring that valuable experience is not lost.

Overarching Insights

1. Regional Understanding: Why do we go back to Asia every year? Well, to truly grasp the needs, mindset, opportunities, and limitations within a region, it's crucial to connect with and listen to local subject matter experts.
2. Embracing Change: The most common sentiment expressed was the need to evolve beyond traditional methods. While past practices have been effective, changes in training technology, demographics, and airline growth rates necessitate new approaches.
3. Safety Concerns: With airline safety improvement reaching a plateau, there's a risk that increased traffic could lead to a higher incident rate. The industry must proactively exceed current regulations to maintain and improve safety standards, rather than waiting for regulatory changes.

Looking Ahead

APATS 2024 made it clear that the aviation industry cannot afford to be complacent. With expected traffic growth and evolving challenges, stakeholders must work together to innovate, improve training methods, and prioritize safety. The flying public, politicians, and regulators will demand nothing less.

APATS 2024 has set the stage for a new era in aviation training, emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and a proactive approach to safety and efficiency. As the industry moves forward, these insights will undoubtedly shape the future of aviation training and operations.

Mark your diaries for APATS 25, which will again be held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore from 25-27 August 2025. Join us to see how these changes are being implemented and to continue shaping the future of aviation training.