Mission possible: training ensures safety

By Jana Hochmanova

Jana Hochmanova, Head of Czech Air Navigation Institute, speaks to MENA Infrastructure about the importance of training in the aviation industry.

Despite all the modern technologies used in the aviation industry, human factors still play a key role in the provision of services. Therefore, professional training is an integral part of the entire system where safety is mission critical.

Training of air traffic controllers has significantly changed over the past decades. It has become more structured and harmonised in order to attain the knowledge and skills required in today's dynamic environment. The increase of traffic and technological development has resulted in the integration of modern, sophisticated tools and methods into the training process, e.g. simulators, e-learning etc. Nowadays, top training institutions need to maintain the highest work standards and professional integrity, while simultaneously staying flexible to changes in the aviation environment.

Moreover, the integration and cooperation activities designed to increase airspace capacity stress the need for harmonisation of training, ensuring the same standards of knowledge and skills of the personnel among all training providers. The growing need for integration is apparent not only in ATC but throughout the entire civil aviation industry, especially the three A's - airports, airlines and ANSPs. This will definitely bring about even closer cooperation among the aforementioned entities in the area of training in the near future. To be clear - ensuring safe skies is a team effort. From pilots to controllers to ground crews and technicians, everybody contributes. A system is only as strong as its weakest link and only true synergy can win the game.

CANI, the Czech CAA accredited and ICAO recognised training and consultancy organisation, located at the Prague International Airport tackles these new challenges through a blend of industry experience, international workforce and up to date technology. With over 25 years of experience in the ATC field, we offer deep insight into a wide range of training issues as well as flexibility to adapt to even the most challenging needs of our customers. Based on this, they can choose from a full spectrum of ATC training courses and other training activities for aviation and technical personnel. We've conducted more than 400 training courses, serving more than 3,000 customers from 30 countries. We also provide specialised English courses for Air Traffic Controllers (ELPAC) and aviation personnel (ICAO Level 4), as well as general, legal and business English courses.

So what are some of the aspects that define the way modern ATCO training programs will develop? We are definitely seeing a preference in tailoring courses - extending the content of the course beyond the minimum requirements in order to meet specific demands of individual clients. By doing so, additional time can be saved in pre-OJT and OJT training at the unit which is well worth the investment.

CANI is an integral part of the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR), the country's ATS provider. This enables a fast and efficient transfer of the latest trends and information from the field and serves as a solid base for ATC consultancy services. The primary areas of consulting activities are built around Airspace Design, Multilateration (ANS CR is one of the pioneering organisations and first ANSP in the world to use multilateration technology for surveillance), RDP, FDP, ATM system procurement and Project Management.

Central Europe has had the privilege of following developments in aviation from its early days and thus benefits from a long tradition in aviation and ATC training. In an industry where safety is mission critical, we can clearly say taking the best from the past, adding it to the present level of know-how and creating a bridge to future challenges is our model for making, in cooperation with our partners, this mission possible.

For further information please visit www.cani.cz

About

Jana Hochmanova is the Head of the Czech Air Navigation Institute, a provider of ATC training and consultancy services operating out of Prague, Czech Republic. Ms. Hochmanova has over 10 years of experience working for the Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic where she held several positions.