Air Navigation Solutions partner with Cranfield to launch ATM occurrence investigator course

Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL) has partnered with Cranfield University to launch an ATM (Air Traffic Management) Occurrence Investigator Course.

The five-day course provides trainee investigators with practical, hands-on experience of carrying out a high-fidelity ATM occurrence investigation and writing a comprehensive investigation report.

The course was developed by Pam Laycock, ANSL’s Lead Investigator and Chris Kimber, unit lead investigator for Gatwick, in collaboration with Dr Leigh Dunn, Lecturer in Aircraft Accident Investigation at Cranfield University. The partnership was formed after Kimber was unable to find a suitable existing course for ANSL staff to attend.

Chris Kimber says: “We realised that developing a course which combines theory with a simulated investigation would help us to both train our own staff and equip the industry with more highly competent investigators, enabling constructive learnings to be taken from incidents across the country. That is what ANSL, in partnership with Cranfield University, has created.”

Dr Leigh Dunn adds: “When designing our investigation training courses, we are looking to teach the fundamental techniques of investigation fine-tuned to the specific industry that the delegates work in. This is what makes the partnership between Cranfield University and Air Navigation Solutions, with its in-depth understanding of the ATM industry, a perfect match. Together, we have produced a hands-on training course that will provide ATM investigators with the skills that are required to conduct thorough and credible investigations.”

The course was successfully piloted in February 2021, in spite of Covid-19 restrictions which required it to be delivered virtually. It was attended by twelve delegates from ANSL and Jersey Airport.

John Daly, an Air Traffic Controller at Jersey Airport who attended the course, says: “The course tutors and specialist contributors provided a comprehensive introduction to the range of skills required to carry out investigations including analysis tools, interviewing techniques and report compiling. The course comprised a great mix of practical and theoretical training and is highly recommended.”

The next Occurrence investigation in ATM course will run from 29^th November – 3^rd December 2021. The course is currently planned as a ‘hybrid’ delivery to enable delegates to attend either in person at Cranfield University or online. Delegates can request further information by contacting Pam Laycock (pam.laycock@ans-atc.com) and apply for the course here.