Aviation Training: More than a Tick Mark?

aviation training tick mark requirement compliance

Aviation Training: More than a Tick Mark?

The aviation industry relies heavily on a good reputation and a clean safety record. Training is a strong contributing factor to ensuring that. While it proves difficult to generalise the training mindset of the industry, there is a tendency that some organisations consider training as a mere ‘tick in the box’. If you ask us, training is far from just a tick mark.

Aviation training is an integral factor in the success and sustainability of the industry. Training not only ensures compliance with rules and regulations from EASA and the FAA and follows the standards and recommended practices from ICAO. Training contributes to safer and more efficient operations.

The challenge is, however, that some organisations choose to focus on compliance – and in that process fail to consider the quality and effectiveness of the training.

Consequences of Poor Training

If an organisation has adopted or clings onto the mindset that training equals getting enough tick marks in the book, it can lead to several unpleasant consequences.

First of all, tick mark training does not ensure proper development of skills. When training in Human Factors or CRM is perceived solely as a regulatory formality, there is an inherent risk that the training fails to provide hands-on experience and the knowledge building necessary for pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance staff to perform their duties safely and efficiently.

Tick mark training can lead to a superficial compliance mindset where the
organisation focuses on meeting regulations rather than emphasising skill development.

Secondly, organisations that become blinded by compliance may fail to conduct training which enhances competence. Their training programme ensures that the organisation meets the regulatory requirements on paper, but the training outcome does not enhance the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle situations, incidents, and failures in the operational environment.

Lastly, it constitutes a safety-related risk to perceive training as a ‘tick in the box’. This view undermines and compromises the critical role of training in ensuring safety. Inadequate training may increase the risk of errors, accidents, and incidents since the pilots, cabin crew, or maintenance staff lack the necessary skills and competencies to deal with the challenges they face in a safe and efficient manner.

Keepers of Safety

Luckily, many organisations within our industry recognise the value that comprehensive, engaging, and continuous training brings to the table. In fact, these organisations become the keepers of safety since their strong mindset and culture contributes to safer and more efficient operations.

Training is essentially an investment in flight safety, non-technical skills, and operational excellence. Benefits which go beyond ensuring regulatory compliance. Training requirements are not just words in an official document. Training has an actual safety purpose.

Training constitutes a critical component of ensuring safety, proficiency, and operational excellence.

So, why is aviation training so much more than a tick mark?

Proper training equips pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance staff with the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies to handle the often complex and dynamic work environment that presents itself in flight or on the hangar floor.