IndiGo aims evidence-based training programmes for pilots

New Delhi, Nov 9 (PTI) The country’s largest airline IndiGo aims to implement evidence-based training programs for its pilots as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the competencies of its pilots, including improved situational awareness, according to a top official.

IndiGo, which operates more than 2,300 flights a day, is expanding its fleet by adding wide-body aircraft and currently has more than 5,300 pilots.

Currently, Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) is implemented in the airline.

“When you are CBTA compliant, when you mature, you eventually become EBT compliant,” a senior airline official told PTI.

EBT stands for Evidence-Based Education.

“So right now we are just relying on CBTA. Now we need to see how, with all the data we will use and with the help of world best practices… or with the involvement of consultants, we can eventually reach the EBT stage,” the official said.

Diverse skills, improved situational awareness, decision-making and enterprise resource management are among the essential elements of competency-based training programs.

The official stated that the airline will use the large amount of data it has for evidence-based training, adding that data analytics and artificial intelligence will be used.

“First, we will collect all the data, verify all the data… then we will base the training program on the data,” the official added.

IndiGo has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft and more than 900 aircraft are on order. The airline’s pilot strength is expected to double from the current level of over 5,300 by 2030.

“The sooner we can get it the better, but of course it will take a year, a year and a half to get the EBT done,” the official said.