Sustainable Flight Training Schools and their role to meet Net Zero Targets

This presentation is part of a wider research project to identify the elements that must be considered regarding flight training schools’ role in aviation sustainability. Net Zero Pathways and goals, emission schemes, design specifications, and sustainable fuels are some of the most popular changes for airlines and manufacturers. Flight training schools must be at the forefront of promoting aviation sustainability to tomorrow’s professionals. The ICAO Carbon Offsetting Requirement Scheme for International Airlines (CORSIA) relies heavily on the firm and reliable information in the operators’ system. Proper emission calculation requires flight crews to feed valid and accurate flight information data. Hence, flight schools play a decisive role in aviation sustainability, creating and supporting an emerging sustainable culture for young pilots. How can flight training schools transform the existing culture and enhance a new one through their training schemes without compromising safety? What is the student’s perspective about their role in sustainability in aviation? This presentation will demonstrate preliminary data from a research survey regarding sustainability and pilot trainees’ perspectives. With global participation of flight schools and pilot trainees, the research aims to identify through the Plan-Do-Check-Act model the formation of a tailor-made training, syllabus and content for aviation sustainability. The flight schools will use this short training to enhance sustainability culture in future aviation professionals and support the industry’s efforts to meet the Net Zero targets.