Principles
The ground training refresher content should always be adapted and proportionate to the operator/pilot situation (refer to the Template pilot situation/training solutions). Moreover, the operator should also consider providing additional training (refresher ground training) when the operator has not been able to update the original ground training content that has been impacted by the COVID crisis (e.g., modification of procedures, etc.) or when the operator's safety management system mandates training to mitigate specific risks.
In regard to situations 1 and 2 above, the ground training refresher is optional because the operator has been able to maintain compliance with ICAO Annex 6 standards. Therefore, there is no formal ground training to be recovered as the pilot received the expected ground training elements.
In regard to situations 3 and 4, the ground training refresher is recommended because the operator has needed alleviation regarding training program components. As a consequence, some original ground training elements may need to be recovered.
In regard to situation 5, the ground training refresher is mandatory because the operator has not been able to maintain ICAO Annex 6 standards, has needed alleviations regarding training and the validity period of alleviations has lapsed. As a consequence, there is formal ground training to be recovered as the pilot did not receive the expected ground training elements.
Components
Ground training includes several components. Some components are related to the delivery and acquisition of specific knowledge elements (e.g., aircraft system, operator policy and procedures, UPRT academic topic, etc.). Other components integrate on the job training by adding skills and attitude training to the knowledge elements, such as safety and emergency procedures (SEP) training, Crew Resources Management (CRM) training.
Knowledge components
When designing the ground training refresher, the operator should consider the following topics to be reviewed and reinforced:
- Aircraft systems, limitations and procedures (normal, abnormal and emergency)
- Operational policy and associated procedures
- Safety events
- UPRT academics if necessary
- Special Approval (SPA) related knowledge, if necessary
SPA concerns the following operations:
- performance-based navigation (PBN)
- minimum operational performance specifications (MNPS)
- reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) airspace
- low visibility operations (LVO)
- extended range operations with two-engine aeroplanes (ETOPS)
- transport of dangerous goods (DGR)
For additional guidance on developing the training objectives of the knowledge part of the ground training refresher using CBTA methodology, see HERE.
Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP) component
When designing the ground training refresher, the operator should consider the following topics to be reviewed and reinforced
actual donning of a lifejacket, where fitted;
actual donning of protective breathing equipment, where fitted;
actual handling of fire extinguishers of the type used;
instruction on the location and use of all emergency and safety equipment carried on the aircraft;
instruction on the location and use of all types of exits; security procedures.
In the context of the restart of the operation and to avoid potential overbooking of the SEP training centers, some operators have decided to combine the SEP refresher training with the FSTD training. Practically, there is a dedicated place (specific room or in some case in the briefing room) and a special time allocation for the pilot to practice and review the SEP components.
Crew Resources Management (CRM) component
When designing the ground training refresher, the operator should consider the CRM training elements that should be reviewed and reinforced in accordance with the different pilot situations. The magnitude of the magnitude of the CRM refresher training may vary significantly depending of the time lapsed since the last pilot CRM training.
Whenever practicable, the compliance-based approach concerning CRM training should be substituted by a competency-based approach such as CBTA, evidence-based training (EBT), Advanced Qualification program (AQP) and alternative training and qualification programs (ATQP). In this context, CRM training should be characterized by a performance orientation, with emphasis on standards of performance and their measurement, and the development of training to the specified performance standards.
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