Airbus Expands Its Training Portfolio to Include Evidence Based Training

Airbus is expanding its flight training portfolio, by extending its Competency Based [pilot] Training and Assessment (CBTA) offer to include Evidence Based Training (EBT). This new flight training concept will enable airlines to incorporate operational and training data in order to adapt training programs for technical and non-technical skills.

EBT is currently being offered as an option to customers as an alternative to Recurrent Training & Checking (RTC) for pilots – traditionally a method that is oriented towards tasks and task-based training and assessment, or as an enhancement to CBTA  – a technique which has been well implemented across the aviation industry since its launch by ICAO in the 2000s – that focuses on assessing the pilots’ performance, developing specific pilot competencies and providing pilots with targeted individual training needs, such as decision making and workload management.

A New Trend in Flight Training

In addition to this, EBT also addresses new regulations that are being recommended / made mandatory by airworthiness authorities around the world in acknowledgement of the innovations in aircraft technology and developments in aircraft operations that pilots are being faced with.

The appetite for EBT is being led by China, following requirements imposed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), who in 2020 launched a roadmap requiring all Chinese airlines to implement CBTA/EBT training by 2024.

Loong Air Becomes First Adopter

To that end, Airbus confirms that the fastest growing airline in China, Loong Air, operating scheduled passenger and cargo services out Hangzhou Airport is the first customer to sign for the EBT service offering.

“We’re proud to be the launch customer for Airbus’ Evidence Based Training, and the first airline in China to step into the new era of flight training,” said LIU Qihong, chairman of Loong Air.

The Airbus EBT Service is a flexible training solution for customers, as the training can be done by the airline, it does not have to physically take place in an [Airbus] Training Centre, providing their instructors are trained to Airbus standards and that they are equipped with Full Flight Simulators.

Data Analytics as an Enabler

In order to implement EBT, Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French based training data analytics company, Hinfact. The deployment of EBT involves Airbus and the airlines acquiring Hinfact’s specific training software compatible with any training data source, tablet and Full Flight Simulator (FFS).

By combining operational data from the airline, plus training session data from FFS sessions, Hinfact software uses data analytics to identify competency improvement areas and suggest customised training sessions accordingly.

Airbus has been offering training courses since its creation some 50 years ago and has always taken a comprehensive and innovative approach via its unique cockpit commonality concept and the regular introduction of the latest technologies or learning concepts.

The Airbus (flight and maintenance) training network currently counts 18 locations, plus 2 flight schools, around the world. This extensive global network enables Airbus to offer a complete flight training package, allowing its customers to benefit from its training expertise closer to their home base.