Preliminary Findings on Enhancing Ground Training Effectiveness: A Qualitative Analysis of Cockpit Ground Training Instructors’ Behaviours and Characteristics from Trainees’ Perspectives

The aviation sector is an important component of international transport, with safety being an essential aspect. Fatal accidents often stem from mismanagement in difficult situations. Effective flight management and control, primarily handled by pilots, are vital. Pilot training, encompassing ground classes, simulators, and aircraft experience, is essential for assuring safety. Ground training, being a significant aspect, demands a collaborative approach between instructors and trainees. This study aims to explore ground instructors’ behaviours and personal characteristics that contribute positively to training effectiveness. Additionally, it aims to connect ground instructors’ behaviours with IATA instructor competencies by comparing the observable behaviours. This research is based on information obtained from a group of pilots undergoing training at a civil aviation training organization in Türkiye. Based on a stratified sampling procedure, 20 pilots were chosen randomly with 10 undergoing ground courses as the initial phase of their commander upgrade training, while the other 10 were enrolled in initial training. A qualitative approach was employed, utilizing individual semi-structured interviews conducted face-to-face. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data which was collected under two primary categories: "Positive Behaviours of Ground Instructors" and "Positive Characteristics of Ground Instructors," both of which contribute to the efficacy of training. According to preliminary results, the main themes of positive behaviours of instructors contributing to ground training are "Demonstrating Professional Attitudes and Behaviours" and "Lecturing Effectively”. These main themes are compared to IATA Instructor competencies through sub-themes by cross matching observable behaviours. Pre-findings suggests that the main themes of positive characteristics of ground instructors that contribute to training are "Being Similar or Hierarchically Close to the Trainee", "Being a Role Model for Trainees", "Becoming an Experienced Captain" and "Having the Skill to Transfer Information”. These findings suggest that instructors’ behaviours and characteristics might impact trainees’ perception of training efficiency.