Just wanted to get the word out that my corporate website, Chariot Enterprises, now has a section dedicated to the FAA’s Advanced Qualification Program (AQP) for training aircrew and associated support personnel.  There is currently a paper summarizing AQP and another discussing the various aspects of costing out an AQP development effort.  I trust that those interested in this program will find the site useful and of assistance in their AQP development efforts. 

Quote of the Day:
When all else fails, read the instructions.
--Cahn's Axiom
also known as RTFM (Read The F'in Manual)

 From the FAA's AQP Advisory Circular (AC120-54), here's a quick review of AQP concepts and terminology

AQP is a systematic methodology for developing the content of training programs for air carrier crewmembers and dispatchers.

AQP replaces programmed hours with proficiency-based training and evaluation derived from a detailed job task analysis that includes crew/team resource management (CRM/TRM).

AQP incorporates data-driven quality control processes for validating and maintaining the effectiveness of curriculum content. AQP provides an alternate method of qualifying and certifying, if required, pilots, flight engineers, aircraft dispatchers, instructors, evaluators, and other operations personnel subject to the training and evaluation requirements of 14 CFR parts 121 and 135. 

AQP encourages innovation in the methods and technology that are used during instruction and evaluation, and efficient management of training systems.

The goal of AQP is to achieve the highest possible standard of individual and crew performance. A leading objective of AQP is to provide effective training that will enhance professional qualifications to a level above the present standards that are provided in parts 121 and 135.

AQP consists of three curricula:

• Indoctrination (Indoc) - for new hires and upgrades (First Officers (FO), Captains (CA), and Instructor/Evaluators (I/E))
• Qualification (Qual) - basic airplane qualification within a specific fleet
• Continuing Qualification (CQ) - annual proficiency recertification in both the simulator and airplane

Training "gates" within each curricula include:

• Systems Validation (SV) - a written/oral assessment of knowledge
• Procedures Validation (PV) - an assessment of ability to perform required procedures in a procedures trainer
• First Look (FL) - annual assessment of performance on select, non-prebriefed maneuvers (CQ only) in a simulator
• Maneuvers Validation (MV) - an assessment of ability to perform required maneuvers in a simulator
• Line Operational Evaluation (LOE) - an assessment of ability to perform in a line operational situation in a simulator
• Line Check (LC) - an assessment of ability to perform as a qualified crew member in a line situation

AQP consists of five phases:

• Phase I - Application
• Phase II - Curriculum Development consisting of:
• Phase III - Small Group Tryouts (Implementation) - to validate training courseware and curriculum
• Phase IV - Initial Operations - lasts two years for each curricula within each fleet
• Phase V - Continuing Operations - upon completion of each Phase IV

There are two primary databases that support an AQP:

• Program Audit Database (PADB) - the master AQP documents and databases
• Performance/Proficiency Database (PPDB) - This de-identified information represents the results of an individual’s ability to successfully demonstrate the performance objectives of each curriculum. This information is captured during validation and evaluation gates as a crew member progresses through an AQP curriculum. This data is collected from each crew member’s performance and is stored in aggregate in the PPDB. This data is used to analyze training programs and/or groups of participants, not for tracking individual accomplishment. Successful collection and analysis of this data will identify and correct problems, validate AQP curriculums, and identify developing trends.