RESILIENT PILOT Mentoring & Professional Development

The AFAP Resilient Pilot professional development program continues to provide pilots a pathway to improve competencies, confidence and stay connected. The AFAP Executive recently approved 50% funding for the program, aiming to encourage AFAP members to participate. The offer was incredibly popular, and the available slots were filled within just two days with the new group of members already commenced. Through this program, pilots gain access to a comprehensive selfpaced program that includes the following components:

Technical & Non-technical group workshops

Pilots engage in discussions around personal and professional countermeasures. They work together to address operational dilemmas and reach a consensus. The workshops provide a valuable opportunity for pilots to learn from other's experiences by gaining insights into different flight deck behaviours and techniques.

Competency Development Scenario (CDS)

The CDS sessions have gained significant popularity with pilots exposed to different flight deck options; A320, B737, A340 and (coming soon) a Metroliner with early investigation into a helicopter option. Each session is attended by only two pilots and facilitated by competency-based training instructors. Pilots are presented with problems and dilemmas to work through, allowing them to practice and enhance their ICAO competencies. These sessions are completely non-jeopardy, encouraging pilots to first identify and acknowledge the competencies they excel in. By doing so, they become more open to self-identifying areas in which they can further improve.

Participants self-assess their competencies, and the facilitator records observations in the Quantum software, which generates a global average of development.

In the graph below instructor grading is displayed as an example to demonstrate the continued improvement. Participants can also review their own individual results.

AFAP Resilient Pilot mentoring/coaching differs from a training environment as there is no syllabus, no jeopardy and mentors are trained to guide a mentee rather than provide their own version of the answers. The transformation in confidence is described by one of our mentors as ‘quite remarkable’. All our mentors sign a ‘volunteer charter’ to ensure the discussions are kept private and therefore can be open and candid.

Resilient Pilot resources hub

After attending either the group workshop or CDS, pilots can continue their competency development at their own pace. Their subscription also allows access to the Resilient Pilot resource hub that offers a fourstep pathway for progress: Learn, Develop, Practice, and Expand. Resilient Pilot is also about to launch the next iteration called ‘The Resilience Hub’ which expands to include personal countermeasures as well.

Mentoring/Coaching

To complete the learning loop, AFAP Resilient Pilot program participants can access AFAP mentor/coaches who adhere to the European Mentoring and Coaching Council guidelines (EMCC). Pilots can schedule one-onone sessions with these mentors/coaches through the Resilient Pilot website or app.

If you missed the 50% funding offer, there's still a chance for you to join the program. The cost for AFAP members is £250/AUD$475 per year (usually £300/ AUD$570) as we collaborate with Resilient Pilot, with the entire cost going towards the backend operations of the program. This is an affordable investment in your continuous professional development. We are actively working with a regional airline that supports their pilots by funding the program's cost, and we encourage other airlines to consider this option. In the meantime, the self-funded option remains available to all members. We also recommend asking your advisor about possible tax deduction for the cost of professional development.

Benefits of the Resilient Pilot program

Originally designed to support redundant pilots, this program has evolved and is now utilised by pilots in various situations, including:

• Competency development

• First career steps (e.g. first job, first multi-crew, first multi-crew command upgrade)

• Pre-type rating practice

• Preparation for proficiency checks

• Post-operational events to regain confidence & provide evidence of progress for a return-to-work pathway

• Familiarisation with evidence-based training processes and the necessary shift in thinking

Request a Resilient PIlot program demonstration video from technical@afap.org.au