Professional lifelong learning in the aviation sector – short hop or long haul? Darryll Bravenboer and Mick Betts Middlesex University, Institute for Work Based Learning UALL Conference, Oxford, March 17th 2016

© Middlesex University Why develop a Professional Aviation Pilot Practice (PAPP) degree? Massive predicted global shortage of pilots - 460,000 new pilots needed by (Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook, 2012) This demand cannot be met by the current pilot training intake of Airline Training Organisations (ATOs) Currently c60% of commercial pilots are not graduates “…pilots do not necessarily make good senior executives…pilot’s training doesn’t encompass management skills” (Bell, 2013, Gulf Aviation Training Event) Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 2

© Middlesex University So why Professional Practice degrees for aviation? - 1 Aviation is a safety critical industry 53% of commercial air accidents are caused by pilot error compared to 20% caused by mechanical failure (Source: Increasing level of technical sophistication of aircraft Increasing focus on the benefits of and need for teamwork, referred to as ‘multi crew co-operation’ (MCC) Threat and error management (TEM) and evaluating and managing risk now central parts of pilot training New and increasing emphasis on the importance of non technical “soft” skills (NOTECHS) Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 3

© Middlesex University Critical incident technique (Flanagan1954) came out of research in the US Air Military which showed that systematic and analytical review of flying events is a key factor in managing human performance, air safety and continuous improvement Continued competence to fly is currently maintained through the mandatory CAA regulated process of recurrent review Developing pilots as graduate reflective practitioners builds on this research foundation and current industry testing practice by empowering them to take responsibility for their own professional development focused on continuous monitoring and improvement of their professional practice Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 4 So why Professional Practice degrees for aviation? - 2

© Middlesex University A Chief Flight Instructor’s view… “Recurrent review as a test of continuing competence to fly just provides a snapshot of competence at the point of testing. What reflective practice will add to this is that it will equip pilots to take personal responsibility for continuous review and improvement of everything they do on the flight deck and beyond.” Jim Watt, Chief Flying Instructor and MD, Tayside Aviation Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 5

© Middlesex University Widening participation… Predicted demand means that recruits must be drawn from a wider demographic – social, ethnic and gender Historically the high cost of pilot training has tended to make recruits self selecting Often the choice has been pilot training or a degree The PAPP degree integrates both and is cost and time efficient Access to finance limited as a consequence of the risk of not securing a job as an airline pilot Access to the students loans helps to offset front end costs Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 6

© Middlesex University …and lifelong learning The overarching aim of the PAPP is to make graduate pilots reflective practitioners for whom continuous improvement of professional practice is second nature... …and lifelong learning is a way of life Proactive role in maintaining professional competence beyond recurrent review, flight logs and voyage reports Positive, proactive approach to professional development of self and others Career progression to line captains, and senior roles as base and training captains Opening the door to progression to other non flying senior roles in aviation industry Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 7

© Middlesex University The PAPP degree with Tayside Aviation has three routes into employment at level 6: As a flight instructor with Tayside Aviation As a flight instructor/commercial pilot with Loganair As a commercial pilot with Loganair or any other airline. Tayside’s already exemplary record of placing cadets is likely to be enhanced by the graduate route which has been enthusiastically endorsed by airlines… "Loganair is committed to employing high quality airline pilots and the innovative partnership with Tayside Aviation and Middlesex University will provide opportunities for a wider range of talented people to embark on an aviation career. We see this partnership as an important way to open up the industry to people that may not have otherwise been able or eligible to join the profession.” Andy Thornton, Director of Flight Operations, Loganair. Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 8 Employability

© Middlesex University What Tayside Aviation students say about their degree programme…. “Funding is a very important consideration for me, but thanks to the degree programme, I can access student funding, which makes my career choice a little easier”. “The degree programme includes elements which are recognised by employers as useful in a professional environment, like the creation of development plans and reflective learning”. “The first year portfolio has been very helpful in this as it focuses on personal and professional development and the personal development plan that I created helped me organise the critical path through the ATPL elements”. “Working in a cohort of trainee pilots from all walks of life is helpful as it allows us to find new ways of developing. Also looking at our own professional development within the academic studies helps to highlight key areas of development for the future”. “Being able to reflect upon my initial training has helped my development because I was reminded of the mistakes I made and so it reminded me of how I learned from them”. Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 9

© Middlesex University Questions? How might this development in the aviation sector inform others involved in developing professional practice degrees? Is systematic reflection on practice likely to be relevant to all professional practice- based degrees? What is it about the embedded approach to employability demonstrated in this programme that might be transferable? Are there any broader lessons to be learnt regarding widening participation and lifelong learning in professions? Other questions… Professional Lifelong Learning in the Aviation sector, UALL Conference.| 10