Page 14 - InterPilot Issue 1 2016

14 INTERVIEW WITh AIRbUS

tell us that it was time for a change and we listened. We then went to and Prevention (AAP) Committees are excellently run by dedicated and
work to try to understand how to make training more effective. We were knowledgeable people and carry out incredibly valuable work. The same
seeking greater levels of information retention, greater relevance to I know is true of the Aircraft Design Operation (ADO) Committee and
today’s operational world and finally we wanted to make it fun again. it is our involvement with these three committees that has the greatest
After all, we learn better when the subject is made interesting and long-term impact on Airbus. I know that Wolfgang Absmeier (ADO) and
engaging. I truly value the friendships we have made during our involvement with
This led to a complete revision of the syllabus and to creating two new these groups and thank everyone for their kind and respectful acceptance
tools. The first was a laptop-based training system called Aircraft Cockpit of our sometimes different way of seeing things. The same can be said
Experience (ACE) which provided a 3D cockpit view involving you (the about the Dangerous Goods (DG) Committee and Captain Mark Rogers,
trainee) plus an avatar (another crew member) viewing the cockpit world the Chairman and also a Member of the ICAO DG Panel.
through your natural sitting position and able to operate everything in I was attending a US industry HF Round Table event several years ago
that cockpit. This can be in guided, freeplay or CBT modes allowing each at which Mark spoke about the developing dangers of Lithium batteries.
trainee to learn by doing. Learning by experience is very powerful and What he said and the way he said it shocked me. He kindly shared his
the early course members are giving it very positive feedback. presentation with me and, on my return to Toulouse, I shared it in turn
The second tool is a new Aircraft Procedures Trainer (APT) which widely inside Airbus. We then presented the issue at our Safety
includes a limited, but sufficient visual system, thrust levers and side Conference and the airline safety specialists who were present and many
sticks that work as per the aircraft. This APT has off loaded the main of the chief pilots took up the banner and things started to accelerate.
simulators and freed them up for more manual flight exercises and for Inside Airbus work, which was already ongoing, also accelerated. We all
four scenarios that bring all the learning together in realistic operational know where the industry is today. Rules are being changed, guidance is
situations. In fact, the first simulator ride is all manual flight and ends being provided and procedures being developed. The threat does not
with visual circuit flying to get that “it’s just an aircraft” message across diminish but for sure awareness at all levels of our society is increasing
load and clear. and who dares to think where we may be, had the issue been left to news
headline stories about mysterious unexplained accidents. The industry as
IFALPA and our committee members have long valued your expertise a whole owes a lot to Mark and his persistent approach to cracking this
and contribution to committee work in advancing aviation safety as serious safety issue. He was one key player in breaking through those
well as your support of our annual conferences. Could you please barriers of tradition that so often prevent us from seeing the blindingly
share examples of how our collaborations have helped your company obvious. All that being said, our collaboration with IFALPA will surely
in any way? continue and I am already looking forward to meeting my friends in
Both the IFALPA Human Performance (HUPER) and Accident Analysis IFALPA at the next HUPER Committee meeting.

Issue 1 | 2016 InterPilot | The safety and Technical Journal of IFALPA