Ab Initio Training Conference
WATS is entirely dedicated to airline simulation and training, allowing you to discover the latest innovative training solutions for airline maintenance technicians. Supported by the training industry and subject matter experts, the WATS 2025 Ab Intio Training Conference will provide practical solutions for those day to day challenges and offer key insights into the future of the industry.
Maintenance Conference Moderator: Paul Preidecker
Day 1 – Tuesday 8th April 2025
0900-1030 Session 1 – Opening Remarks & Keynote Presentations (all streams)
1) Jennifer Homendy, Chair, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
2) TBD
3) Jean-Michel Bigarré, President & Founder, AMFTA
AMFTA Panel Discussion
1030-1115 Coffee Break
1115-1245 Session 2 – EXPO TIME
1245-1415 Lunch
1415-1545 Session 3 – Panel Discussion
Achieving Regulatory Reform, Removing Cost Barriers & Leveraging the Focus of Advocacy Groups
1545-1630 Coffee Break
1630-1800 Session 4 – The Need for Regulatory Reforms: Change to Support a Modern Training Industry
1) Everette Rochon, Federal Aviation Administration
Part 141 Updates: Policy, Regulatory, and Operational Improvements
2) Melanie Weddle, Aviation Safety Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration
Briefing from FAA Office of Organizational Designation: Is This the Answer?
3) Jeff Wolf, NFTA
FAA Oversight and Tech/AI-Based Solutions: Doing More With Less
Day 2 – Wednesday 9th April 2025
0900-1030 Session 5 – Panel Discussion
Airline Partnership Programs: The Role of Marketing, Data Sharing and Training Standards
1030-1115 Coffee Break
1115-1245 Session 6 – Applying Best Practices: From the Airlines to Ab Initio Training
1) TBD
2) TBD, IPAAC
Pilot Mental Health: Now We’re Talking!
3) Christian Popp, Chief Strategy Officer, MINT Software Systems
Mindful Data Collection: Balancing Design and Human Interaction in AQP, EBT & CBTA
1245-1415 Lunch
1415-1545 Session 7 – Using Airline Hiring Data: Building a Better Pilot
1) TBD, Delta Air Lines
Data From Airlines: The Cost of a Bad Hire
2) Erik Strickland, RAA
The Feedback Loop: From the Airlines to the Ab Initio Partner
3) Marnie Munns, Boeing
CBTA: The Road to Implementation of CBTA in Early Careers
1545-1630 Coffee Break
1630-1800 Session 8 – Panel Discussion
Navigating the Path to Success: From Takeoff to Landing
Day 3 – Thursday 10th April 2025
0900-1030 Session 9 – Modern Flight Training Approach: Understanding Design, Ergonomics, and Human Factors to Improve Outcomes
1) Dan Elwell
Leveraging Emerging Technologies and Overcoming Regulatory Roadblocks: Is There an Answer?
2) ALSIM & Elixir Aircraft
Panel Discussion
1030-1115 Coffee Break
1115-1245 Session 10
1) Ryan Bohlander, Foreflight
ForeFlight & CloudAhoy: AQP Data for Flight Training Providers
2) TBD
Safety Management System: A Flight School Approach
3) Dr. Louis Osorio, Woxsen University
Leveraging AI & Cognitive Insights to Enhance Ab Initio Pilot Training
1245 Closing Remarks
