Page 19 - Forum-2021-JanToMarch

Competency-Based Education:

A Framework for a More Efficient and Safer Aviation Industry

By Dr. Flavio A.C. Mendonca, Ph.D., Assistant Professor; Dr. Julius Keller,
Ph.D., Assistant Professor; and Dr. Brian Dillman, Ph.D., Associate
Professor, Aviation and Transportation Technology, Purdue University

(Adapted with permission from the authors’ technical paper Competency-Based Education: A
Framework for a More Efficient and Safer Aviation Industry presented during ISASI 2019, Sept.
3–5, 2019, in The Hague, the Netherlands. The theme for ISASI 2019 was “Future Safety: Has the Past
Become Irrelevant?” The full presentation can be found on the ISASI website at www.isasi.org in the
Library tab under Technical Presentations.—Editor)

ircraft design and reliability of the accumulated flight hours. EBT
as well as pilots’ education programs must identify, develop, and Dr. Flavio A.C. Mendonca
and training have steadily and evaluate the competencies required to
A significantly improved in the operate safely, effectively, and efficiently
last 20 years. Nevertheless, high-profile in a commercial air transport environ-
accidents still occur, even when the air- ment. Moreover, EBT needs to address
craft and related systems are operating the most relevant threats according to
adequately. Controlled flight into terrain, evidence collected in aircraft mishaps,
runway incursion accidents, and loss of flight operations, and training.
control in flight are examples of mishaps There is some emergent empirical
in which inadequate decision-mak- evidence showing that high-quality edu-
ing, poor leadership, and ineffective cation and flight training have a greater
communication are frequently cited as impact on efficiency and safety than just
contributing factors. Conversely, the in- the total flight hours accumulated by
vestigation of accidents (e.g., US Airways entry-level pilots. Advanced qualification
Flight 1549, in the U.S. on Jan. 15, 2009) programs are utilized in Part 121 opera-
and serious incidents (e.g., TAM Linhas tions. A similar model with the develop-
Aereas Flight 3756 in Brazil on June 17, ment and assessment of defined compe-
2011) have shown that flight crews must tencies can lead to better education and
be flexible and adaptable, think outside flight training outcomes in collegiate
the box, and communicate effectively to aviation. In keeping with this transition
cope with situations well beyond their to a competency-based educational Dr. Julius Keller
individual expertise. model and given an understanding of the
Conventional flight training require- benefits of an EBT program for aviation
ments generally consider only the so- safety and efficiency, the Purdue School
called “technical skills” and knowledge. of Aviation and Transportation Technol-
Interestingly, pilot competencies in im- ogy is redesigning its professional flight
portant areas such as leadership, team- program. The benefits of this program
work, resilience, and decision-making will include
are not explicitly addressed. The aviation • establishing advanced training
system is reliable but complex. Thus, it is processes that will enhance the
unrealistic to foresee all possible aircraft acquisition of knowledge, skills, and
accident scenarios. Furthermore, there abilities by the future professional
pilot workforce that meet or exceed
are many organizational variables that safety standards;
could have a detrimental impact in the
flight deck of an aircraft. • amplifying the quality of education
To further improve flight training, and flight training over flight hours;
the global aviation industry is moving and
toward evidence-based training (EBT). • developing empirical data to inform
EBT provides rigorous assessment decision-makers such as program
and assurance of pilot competencies leaders and regulators. Dr. Brian Dillman
throughout their training, regardless The goal of this transformation pro-
January-March 2021 ISASI Forum • 19