AMC1 ORO.FC.231(i) Evidence-based training

PERFORMANCE-BASED CONTINUOUS TECHNICAL GROUND TRAINING

(a)     Technical ground training programme

(1)     The objective of the technical ground training programme is to ensure that pilots have adequate:

(i)       knowledge of:

(A)     the aircraft systems; and

(B)     the operational procedures and requirements; and

(ii)      awareness of:

(A)     the most significant accidents or incidents that could affect their operations following the ‘threat and error management model’ or an alternative risk model agreed with the authority; and

(B)     the occurrences in the airline or occurrences from other airlines that may be relevant for their operations, accident/incident and occurrence review.

(2)     The technical ground training should:

(i)      be conducted as part of a 3-year programme;

(ii)     allow a customisation of syllabi. The operator should describe in the operations manual the procedure to determine the customisation of syllabi. This customisation should be based on evidence both internal and external to the operator.

(iii)     as a minimum, allow the pilot to receive technical ground training every 12 months. The validity period should be counted from the end of the month. When this training is conducted within the last 3 months of the validity period, the new validity period should be counted from the original expiry date.

(3)     The technical ground training syllabi should be delivered using different methods and tools.

(i)      The selection of the method and tool results from a combination of the learning objectives and the target group receiving the training (WHAT needs to be trained and WHO needs to be trained).

(ii)     The selection of the appropriate method and tool should be driven by the desired outcome in terms of adequate knowledge.

(iii)     The delivery of the technical ground training syllabi should include the methods or tools to verify if the pilot has acquired the objective of the technical ground training programme. This may be achieved by means a questionnaire, assessment of application of the competency ‘knowledge’ (KNO) or other suitable methods.

(4)     The measurement and evaluation of the training system performance through the feedback process should include the performance of the technical ground training.

(b)     Emergency and safety equipment training

(1)     Training on the location and use of all emergency and safety equipment should be conducted in an aircraft or a suitable alternative training device.

(2)     Every year the emergency and safety equipment training programme should include the following:

(i)      actual donning of a life jacket, where fitted;

(ii)     actual donning of protective breathing equipment, where fitted;

(iii)     actual handling of fire extinguishers of the type used;

(iv)     instruction on the location and use of all emergency and safety equipment carried on the aircraft;

(v)      instruction on the location and use of all types of exits; and

(vi)     security procedures.

(3)     Every 3 years the programme of training should include the following:

(i)      actual operation of all types of exits;

(ii)     demonstration of the method used to operate a slide, where fitted;

(iii)     actual firefighting using equipment representative of that carried on the aircraft on an actual or simulated fire except that, with Halon extinguishers, an alternative extinguisher may be used;

(iv)     the effects of smoke in an enclosed area and actual use of all relevant equipment in a simulated smoke-filled environment;

(v)      actual handling of pyrotechnics, real or simulated, where applicable;

(vi)     demonstration in the use of the life rafts, where fitted; and

(vii)    particularly in the case where no cabin crew is required, first aid appropriate to the aircraft type, the kind of operation and the crew complement.

(4)     The successful resolution of aircraft emergencies requires interaction between flight crew and cabin/technical crew and emphasis should be placed on the importance of effective coordination and two-way communication between all crew members in various emergency situations.

(5)     Emergency and safety equipment training should include joint practice in aircraft evacuations so that all who are involved are aware of the duties other crew members should perform. When such practice is not possible, combined flight crew and cabin/technical crew training should include joint discussion of emergency scenarios.

(6)     Emergency and safety equipment training should, as far as practicable, take place in conjunction with cabin/technical crew undergoing similar training with emphasis on coordinated procedures and two-way communication between the flight crew compartment and the cabin.

(7)     The emergency and safety equipment training should include a pilot’s assessment of the training received; as a minimum, by means of a questionnaire, or computer-based exercises, or other suitable methods.

(8)     When the emergency and safety equipment training is conducted within 3 calendar months prior to the expiry of the 12-calendar-month period, the next emergency and safety equipment training should be completed within 12 calendar months of the original expiry date of the previous training.

(c)      Emergency and safety equipment training — extension of period of training

(1)     The emergency and safety equipment training programme should establish and maintain at least an equivalent level of proficiency achieved by complying with the provisions of (b). The level of flight crew proficiency in the use of emergency and safety equipment should be demonstrated prior to being granted approval to extend the period of training by the competent authority.

(2)     The operator applying for an approval to extend the period of emergency and safety equipment training should provide the competent authority with an implementation plan, including a description of the level of flight crew proficiency to be achieved in the use of emergency and safety equipment. The implementation plan should comprise the following:

(i)      A safety case which should:

(A)     demonstrate that the required or equivalent level of proficiency in the use of emergency and safety equipment is maintained;

(B)     incorporate the programme of implementation, to include controls and validity checks;

(C)     minimise risk during all phases of the programme’s implementation and operation; and

(D)     include oversight, including review and audits.

(ii)     The measurement and evaluation of the training system performance through the feedback process should include the performance of the emergency and safety equipment training. The feedback should be used as a tool to validate that the emergency and safety equipment training is correctly implemented; this enables substantiation of the emergency and safety equipment training and ensures that objectives have been met.

(iii)     Documentation that details the scope and requirements of the programme, including the following:

(A)     the operator’s training needs and established operational and training objectives;

(B)     a description of the process for designing and obtaining approval for the operator’s emergency and safety equipment training programmes. This should include quantified operational and training objectives identified by the operator’s internal monitoring programmes. External sources may also be used; and

(C)     a description of how the programme will develop a support and feedback process to form a self-correcting training system.

(3)     When the emergency and safety equipment training is conducted within 6 calendar months prior to the expiry of the 24-calendar-month period, the next emergency and safety equipment training should be completed within 24 calendar months of the original expiry date of the previous training.