-What obstacle clearance limits do you have on a circling approach under PAN-OPS versus TERPS?

-How do your contingency plans differ when operating above the NAT tracks as opposed operating in the NAT tracks?  (Standardized Globally by a NOTAM, February 2006.)

-How do your contingency plans differ when operating above the NAT tracks as opposed operating in the NAT tracks?  (Standardized Globally by a NOTAM, February 2006.)

-What must you do after receiving a re-route in the NAT MNPS or Pacific RNP-10 routes?

Whether you are a novice or a pro, chances are that a great deal of this information has been passed down to you like so much oral history before the written word.  Sharing our experience still has its place but consider how many of us learned our trade and how profoundly our needs have changed.  With airspace requirements constantly changing and experienced airmen retiring in record numbers, "hand-me-down" education has gone the way of fabric ailerons.  

My first international operations kicked off in the early 70's when flying, initially as a loadmaster, on the US Navy AUTEC project, in the Bahamas.  I flew with a great group of pilots in an operation that ranged from routine scheduled flights, with the AUTEC's F27 and DC-3, to standardization contracts and delivery flights with major oil companies around the world.  It seemed our guys were always coming back with experiences to be shared and discussed--sometimes with wonder, other times with consternation. 

It wasn't long before I graduated from beach duty on our little airline and began flying business jets on our Saudi Arabian contract with Mobil.  Once again, I was thrown into a whole new world this time operating in genuinely foreign airspace with rules that varied widely from one country to its neighbor.  Fortunately, I was again operating with folks who mostly knew to be cautious and constantly interrogated the system and each other.  

Independent study was, all too often, the default option for years; however, the ever changing and complex operating environment, combined with retirements of the top end of our community, demand structured and formal means of disseminating knowledge and sharing experience.

If you are active in the NBAA International Operations Committee or have attended the International Operators Conference in the past five years, chances are good that you will know of Dave Stohr.  Dave was formerly with SimuFlite but moved to Air Routing in 1999.  Since joining Air Routing, Dave has had the opportunity to draft the international training curriculum he felt relevant and beneficial.   Fundamentally, this is a pilot's course--developed by a pilot, taught by a pilot and emphasizes application over rote memory.

Air Training International's course take the basic principles of long range over water international operations, incorporate the latest in regulations, and fashion a comprehensive training package unlike any other in the industry.

I was recently invited to attend and evaluate the three-day initial ATI International Procedures Course (IPC) given at the Bombardier Aviation Training Centre in Montreal, Canada.  Dave and Air Routing have devised a series of modules designed to provide a general overview of rules and procedures common to a wide percentage of international operations as well as individual regional modules to address specific areas of the world or other targeted issues.

One of the best features of the Air Training International IPC is that it is intended to be tailored to your department's needs and to be portable--given at your facility if you choose.   Course lengths may be scheduled from one to three days, depending upon whether you require a full up initial or a refresher.   Dave has also established eleven dates for 2001, during which training will be delivered in Dallas.  

In fact, the greatest value in the Air Training International IPC is its relevancy and depth.  The course is ultimately the result of synergy between Dave's core knowledge, experience and talent updated with constant feedback from Air Routing customers.   Being affiliated with a Service Provider allows for constant updating of information based upon the real world experience of Air Routing clients in a way unlike any other course currently offered elsewhere.

If that weren't enough credibility, Dave is the named representative for global corporate aviation's input to the North Atlantic Implementation Management Group (IMG).  The IMG is the ICAO committee tasked with such crucial issues as expansion of RVSM down to FL290 and for determining a timetable for users to equip aircraft for datalink capability and changeover from HF position reporting.  

A typical Air Training International IPC (initial) will cover 17 modules of training in three days (See Box 1).  These core modules satisfy recommended FAA syllabus requirements as listed in the FAA Inspector's Handbook 8700.1, Chapter 222.  Atttendees receive training certification for MNPS, RVSM and RNP operations.  In addition, each attendee will receive copies of all associated regulatory documentation, navigation and plotting charts, TAF/METAR reference guides and master document outline.  

The course comes with a cockpit sized international procedures Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) complete with a CD-Rom containing voluminous material for reference or study.   This is no "shelf queen" but a complete and transportable tool.  The QRH includes:

    * A planning checklist
    * Oceanic ops guidance
    * Navigation log development (necessary following oceanic re-routes)
    * Instructions for completing ICAO flight plans
    * Universal tables for determining midpoint true course and distance between points of latitude so long as you are crossing ten degrees of longitude. 

The CD-Rom contains FAA information for RVSM, RNP and MNPS as well as FAR's and oceanic planning resources.  The materials are concise yet comprehensive and will be an adjunct to any flight department operating in the NAT's or the hinterland.  

Now suppose you feel "sufficiently" experienced, as I did until sitting through the initial course, and you simply desire a refresher.  Air Training International also delivers one-day refresher courses--which cover the constantly changing essentials.  This refresher is a minimum of one day but may be lengthened to accommodate additional modules selected by the client according to his operational needs.

Whether considering initial training, refresher or something customized, there is nothing like Air Training International's course--relevancy and accuracy are foremost.  This course is taught from a pilot's perspective in executing a trip with immediately applicable skills in our very real daily routines.  Despite years of experience, I felt as if I had opened my well used toolbox and found a whole new tray of implements and greater value in those tools that I use every trip.

If your operation uses a full time scheduler / dispatcher, Air Training International can deliver the same superior initial or refresher courses.  These courses were drafted by Dave Stohr, vetted by professional dispatchers and will soon be taught by Joan Richard Smith, formerly of ENRON Corporation.   (Hey, they were making good news in 2000 :-)

The dispatcher course fundamentally differs from the pilot's in that it focuses upon planning as opposed to execution and is designed to raise the level of awareness of schedulers and dispatchers so that they may better interface with their pilots and service providers.  Joan's addition promises to bring ever higher relevancy and formality to dispatcher initial and recurrent training. 

For the remainder of 2000, Schedulers / Dispatchers courses are planned in several regions of the US.  Next year's plans include regular Schedulers / Dispatchers courses conducted in Houston.   If you are planning to attend the NBAA Convention, in New Orleans, Air Routing will be presenting a one day pilot refresher on the Monday prior (9th October)

Whatever the nature of Your operations, I am convinced that we can all benefit from the experience and dissemination of knowledge in a formal setting.  Moreover, the course currently offered by Air Training International represents a unique synergy of professional trainers and operational experience.   

 
Biography

Roger began flying in 1969, while still a student at Palm Beach Gardens High School.  Since 1977 he has lived and worked abroad--flying aircraft as diverse as Gulfstream 1 through 4, the Jetstar, Falcon 20, F27 and Twin Otter.  In 1993, he established International Pilot Services, Inc.  Roger has been active in the NBAA International Operations Committee since returning from Europe in 1996.  He is presently NBAA Region Lead Coordinator, a position that seeks to assist the flow of information between international business aviation operators.