Head of Training Meeting at EATS (#20)

Cascais, Portugal, will be filled with aviation training professionals in one week. The European Airline Training Symposium covers the latest news and stories from pilot and cabin crew training. Over eighty companies will exhibit their products and services to hundreds of visitors.

The event will kick off with the Head of Training Meeting on Tuesday. I asked Allyson Kukel MRAeS , Leader of Airline Engagement for the Halldale Group , to tell us more about this meeting and what people can expect from this year's event.

Allyson started her aviation career at Fokker Elmo supporting the Boeing program in the Netherlands and China. She went on to work for Rockwell Collins Avionics team onsite at Bombardier in Montreal, Canada. Ten years ago, she transitioned to a simulator start-up in the Netherlands which provided a pathway to pilot training at CAE, where she found her passion for Aviation Training. In 2020, Allyson became a full-time Aviation Training consultant. For the last three years, she has consulted with the Halldale Group and training leaders worldwide to address the evolving landscape in aviation. Allyson manages the Airline and ATO Heads of Training meetings, bringing industry stakeholders together. Working in close collaboration with the EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency and the European Aviation Training Policy Group (ATPG), she was instrumental in the launch of the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association ATPG in September of 2023 with ALTA - Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association .

Allyson is a Human Factors Specialist whose expertise lies in translating how people interact with tech, systems, and their environment into safe, efficient training whilst ensuring user satisfaction. Allyson also helps organisations translate mandated wellbeing from a task-checking activity into wellbeing that works. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from the University of Lincoln and is currently undertaking a Master's in Aviation Human Factors at the University of Coventry. She is an NLP Master Practitioner, Emotional Intelligence, and Motivational Coach, and EMCC certified. She is a mentor at Resilient Pilot and a member of the Royal Aeronautical Society and the European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP).

Shaping the Future of Aviation Training with Industry Experts

By Allyson Kukel MRAeS , Leader of Airline Engagement for the Halldale Group and owner of Aviate in Calm

For the last few years, I have had the opportunity to curate and host the Head of Training Meeting at the European Airline Training Symposium (EATS) with Andy Mitchell, FRAeS , Chair of the Aircrew Training Policy Group (ATPG). This vital event within the aviation industry brings together industry experts, training leaders, and educators to discuss, strategize, and collaborate on the most pressing issues and innovations in aviation training. This gathering serves as a platform for these influential individuals to share insights, exchange best practices, and shape the future of aviation training.

We host the meeting annually in partnership with the ATPG, which collaborates closely with EASA on Aviation Training matters. The primary objective of the Head of Aviation Training Meeting is to foster collaboration and synergy among the leaders and decision-makers in the aviation training sector. This includes representatives from airlines, flight schools, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders who play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of aviation operations. We are always overwhelmed by the number of people who want to join the meeting, be that in the Americas, Europe, or Asia, and this has prompted a significant increase in the calibre of conversation, community collaboration, and uptake in practical output, benefiting our industry as a whole.

The topics and discussions at these meetings are wide-ranging, reflecting the dynamic nature of aviation. The key areas of focus for the upcoming EATS Head of Training meeting 2023 are Airline Pilot Preparedness, Aviation English, CBTA, Instructor Standardization, Technical and Non-Technical Competencies, Pilot Career Progression, Sustainability in Initial Training, UPRT, and Safety Promotion hosted by EASA.

The Head of Aviation Training Meeting is not just about discussing challenges; it's also a forum for celebrating successes and achievements within the industry. Airlines and training providers often showcase innovative training programs, which have led to improved safety and efficiency. Recognizing these accomplishments serves as inspiration for the industry as a whole.

In 2022, Anna Mellberg Karlsson successfully launched the Cabin Crew Head of Training meeting to discuss many of the same challenges that cockpit crew face and expand the conversation to tackle the specific challenges that cabin crew face. We are always looking to grow the community of training leaders, so if you are a Cabin Crew Training Leader and would like to participate, please register your interest here.

Ultimately, our Head of Training Meetings are pivotal events that shape the direction of aviation training. By bringing together industry leaders and fostering collaboration, they ensure that the highest standards of safety, innovation, and excellence are maintained in aviation training programs worldwide.

Participate in the Conversation: Stay connected and engage in the ongoing dialogue about the future of aviation training. Are you a Head of Training? Please sign up for the Halldale Aviation Training Leader Forum to contribute to the discussions. Industry experts, educators, and technology manufacturers are currently shaping the 2024 content and I would love to hear from you. Contact Allyson Kukel at [email protected] to lend your knowledge to the conversation.