Human Factors - Dual Qualified Pilots

Air Transat fleet consists of narrow body B-737s & wide body A310s/A330s. Following a recent change in its business model, the operation of a seasonal fleet required transfer of approximately 98 pilots from the wide onto the... [ view full abstract ]

Air Transat fleet consists of narrow body B-737s & wide body A310s/A330s. Following a recent change in its business model, the operation of a seasonal fleet required transfer of approximately 98 pilots from the wide onto the narrow body fleet.

It was therefore evident that any of these pilots (popularly referred to as ‘YOYO’ pilots) would hold a dual type rating at any given time, switching between the fleet with an interval of 6 months.

In order to seek approval for such a program, Air Transat conducted an initial assessment of the potential risks associated with negative transfer of habits.
However for the purpose of effective oversight & continuous monitoring a line operations & training feedback mechanism was launched which runs throughout the continuum of the Dual Qualified Program (DQP) program. The aim of a survey study is twofold;
Firstly to collect pertinent line operations safety data for analysis to build recommendations of either procedural harmonization or enhancing select training on any emerging vulnerable procedures identified or experienced by crew.
Secondly to use the line feedback as an ongoing method of communicating proactive safety events that will be used for continuous improvement of the DQP.

The differences will be analysed on a continuous basis through the full length of the seasonal operation and the safety recommendations may continually evolve as the operation progresses.