DASR NTS - Non-Technical Skills 

NTS.10 – Defence NTS construct (AUS)

Purpose. (Context) The safe and effective delivery of Defence Aviation capabilities is enhanced by human performance skills that promote reliable and effective task performance in teams and in complex work systems (ie NTS). (Hazard) Aviation Safety can be compromised by the inability to recognise and manage threats, errors and human performance limitations. (Defence) This regulation requires MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs to address NTS-related safety risks in the operating environment to ensure Aviation Safety.

GM NTS.10(a) – Defence NTS construct (AUS)

MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs are identified in the Organisation’s Compliance Statement, and are accountable for maintaining NTS standards.

The terms NTS and Human Factors (HF) are often utilised interchangeably, which can cause confusion. HF refers to the broader field of study that draws together knowledge from psychology, ergonomics, medical and engineering disciplines to minimise human error and its consequences by optimising the relationships within systems between people, activities and equipment. NTS is a branch of HF that focuses on the mental, social, and personal-management abilities that complement the technical skills of workers and contribute to safe and effective performance in complex work systems.

NTS training is one example of applied HF training. NTS training provides personnel with the awareness, knowledge and skills required to manage threats and errors in their work environment more effectively.

GM NTS.10(b)2 – Benchmarking (AUS)

MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs should benchmark aviation NTS risk management against information and solutions used by exemplar operators with comparable CRE, to develop their own local, contextualised solutions. While MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs can use information from any DASA-recognised MAAs and CAAs to assist with the development of a DASR-compliant NTS risk management solution, DASA developed the Aviation Non-Technical Skills: Fundamentals for Aviation Professionals and Aviation Non-Technical Skills: Essentials for Trainers guidebooks for MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs, summarising relevant global benchmarking information. These guidebooks align with ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) and reflect Defence’s unique NTS context. Both are available from the DASA website.

GM NTS.10(b)3(i) – FMS integration (AUS)

Integration of NTS into the FMS (or equivalent) improves the transfer of knowledge and skills to operational performance, and ensures the training is contextualised based on task, applicable processes and Aviation System in use.

GM NTS.10(b)3(ii) – SMS integration (AUS)

MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs should consider the following when integrating NTS into the SMS:

ensuring hazard identification defines potential NTS safety issues for assessment and mitigation

ensuring NTS lessons learned from investigations, both internally and from other organisations, are disseminated widely (eg through safety notices, briefings or training) and incorporated into the FMS (or equivalent) where appropriate.

GM NTS.10(b)3(iii) – QMS integration (AUS)

MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs have regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and conformance. A functioning QMS enables MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs to be reasonably informed about the level of compliance and conformance of their organisation, to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities under the DASR. The MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs QMS should include quality planning, quality assurance, quality control and quality improvement for all NTS training.

GM NTS.10(b)4 – NTS training (AUS)

NTS training content should assess an individual’s performance against established standards of validity, sufficiency and currency, as well as address NTS skill gaps within the organisation. An assessment against ‘all dimensions of competency’ means that the assessment is not narrowly based on a task, but embraces all aspects of task performance and represents an integrated and holistic approach to the assessment. NTS training should include an assessment process that takes into account: task skills, management and contingency skills, role skills and transfer skills. The DFSB Aviation Non-Technical Skills: Essentials for Trainers guidebook is structured to assist MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs to develop NTS training programs.

GM NTS.10(b)4(i) – Initial knowledge-based NTS training (AUS)

The DFSB Aviation Non-Technical Skills (NTS) Foundation Course provides Defence Aviation personnel with the theoretical background of aviation NTS and supports the development of practical knowledge relevant to skilled performance. The course provides personnel with a common frame of reference and language, and is designed to be incorporated into the curriculums of initial aviation operations employment training and other aviation-related training courses. Aviation Non-Technical Skills (NTS) Foundation Course covers the following topics:

history and development of NTS training

Human Performance and its limitations

error and violation

culture

decision-making

situation awareness

communication

managing stress

managing fatigue

leading and working in teams

threat and error management

automation.

GM NTS.10(b)4(ii) – Initial knowledge-based NTS training exemption (AUS)

The training exception allowed for in DASR NTS.10(b)4(ii) should only be applied in extenuating circumstances (ie after the MAO, ANSP or ABMO has conducted risk management IAW DASR SMS, and the operational need to apply an exception is warranted when weighed against the residual risk). Extenuating circumstances:

could include personnel who are graduates of an exemplar CAA or MAA equivalent NTS or HF training course

exclude the routine or casual application of exceptions.

GM NTS.10(b)4(iii)(a) – Conversion or endorsement NTS bridging training (AUS)

MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs providing conversion or endorsement training should provide NTS bridging training that contextualises NTS theories and concepts taught during initial knowledge-based NTS training, to the task, applicable processes and Aviation System in use. Such training should incorporate case studies and examples from the associated organisation and exemplar operators with comparable CRE, to contextualise the theory taught during initial knowledge-based NTS training and support the transition from knowledge to skills-based performance.

GM NTS.10(b)4(iii)(b) – Periodic NTS bridging training (AUS)

SMS processes can be used to identify and address topical and emerging HF and NTS related issues specific to the organisation that may be targeted through NTS bridging training.

Periodic NTS bridging training should be conducted informally in the non-operational environment away from the pressures of the usual working environment, so that the opportunity is provided for personnel to interact and communicate in an environment conducive to learning. Periodic NTS bridging training should be facilitated through small dedicated group sessions (eg no more than 15 personnel). Alternatively, periodic NTS bridging training may be integrated into other training programs, such as NTS continuation training, Aviation Safety days or those outlined within the operator’s SMS. NTSF or NTST should use a risk-based approach, relevant case studies and Aviation Safety Events to tailor the training and to encourage the exchange of ideas and concepts regarding topical and emerging NTS issues.

GM NTS.10(b)4(iv) – Skills-based NTS training (AUS)

NTS skills-based performance focuses on competencies such as maintaining situational awareness, decision-making, communication and the management of available resources and involves active practice, assessment and feedback on NTS performance. The DFSB produced Aviation Non-Technical Skills: Essentials for Trainers guidebook provides guidance material to support the development of skills-based training.

NTS effects on Aviation Safety are contextual, based on task, people, applicable processes and Aviation System in use. NTS training may be inadequate if unique workplace context factors are not addressed. For example, one Aircraft Type could be operated by multiple MAOs but still necessitate differing NTS management solutions due to different CRE. Therefore, common NTS management solutions may not minimise all risks SFARP.

GM NTS.10(b)4(v) – Knowledge-based continuation NTS training (AUS)

Continuation NTS training. A single exposure to an NTS training course will not have a lasting effect and does not exploit the additional experience personnel have gained since. It is widely acknowledged that the science associated with NTS and HF continues to advance and therefore without ongoing continuation training and reinforcement, knowledge decays. The periodic assessment of NTS theories and concepts is used to ensure that an individual’s level of NTS knowledge remains contemporary.

Knowledge-based continuation NTS training should refresh, advance and assess knowledge on topics that include:

decision-making

situation awareness

communication

managing stress

managing fatigue

leading and working in teams

threat and error management

automation.

NTS Currency. A two-year NTS Currency period for knowledge-based continuation training allows the MAO, ANSP or ABMO to set appropriate compliance periods and aligns with international best practice. MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs may impose more stringent Currency requirements. Currency requirements may differ across different roles and positions, and the MAO, ANSP or ABMO should consider the function and roles of each position when determining an appropriate Currency interval.

GM NTS.10(b)4(vi) – Knowledge-based continuation training extension (AUS)

The extension allowed for in DASR NTS.10(b)4(vi) should only be applied either:

in cases where the MAO, ANSP or ABMO adopts a cyclical training schedule where a subset of the course content is conducted at more frequent intervals with the intent that all content is covered over the extended period

in extenuating circumstances (ie after the MAO, ANSP or ABMO has conducted risk management IAW DASR SMS, and the operational need to apply an exception is warranted when weighed against the residual risk). Extenuating circumstances:

could include personnel who are graduates of an exemplar CAA or MAA equivalent NTS or HF training course

exclude the routine or casual application of exceptions.

GM NTS.10(c)1 – NTS Facilitators and Trainers (AUS)

Effective NTS training relies on the quality and integrity of NTSF and NTST to create and implement strategies to support learning. By ensuring the competency of NTSF and NTST, Defence can reduce variance in performance, including the application of NTS between individuals.

DFSB supports tri-Service standardisation of NTST training programs and delivery techniques. However, DFSB does not assess the suitability of candidates or the ongoing standardisation of NTSF or NTST. This is the responsibility of the MAO, ANSP or ABMO.

The DFSB Aviation Non-Technical Skills (NTS) Trainer Course provides applicable personnel with the knowledge and skills to support the integration of NTS into the FMS (or equivalent).

Facilitators. NTSF enable learning by guiding participants to new insights through discussions, interactions, structured exercises and experiences. NTSF are not required to undergo specialised HF and NTS training nor are NTSF required to hold an instructor qualification. NTSF may be any member of the organisation. However, they should have the right attitude, behaviours, knowledge and skill including:

having an interest in HF and NTS

possessing suitable communication and presentation skills

having an understanding of the operational context

being someone respected by the cohort being trained.

The Defence-recognised instructor qualification for NTSF who deliver initial knowledge-based NTS training, or conversion or endorsement NTS bridging training does not need to be an aviation instructor qualification. Personnel who have completed a Defence-recognised instructor’s course or a specialist instructor course (eg Driver Instructor) may hold suitable instructor skills.

Trainers. NTST should have the same attitude, behaviours, knowledge and skill as required of an NTSF. Additionally, NTST specialised HF and NTS training should ensure they have sufficient depth of knowledge in HF and NTS to:

impart new NTS knowledge

respond with authority to related questions that may arise during HF and NTS training

deliver all NTS training and evaluate NTS performance

develop and integrate NTS training programs into the organisation’s FMS (or equivalent).

It is not the intent of this regulation for MAOs, ANSPs or ABMOs to deliver a specific NTS Trainer course where such specialised HF and NTS training has already been achieved through extant aviation instructor, flight test or supervisor courses.

Third-party facilitators and trainers. MAOs, ANSPs and ABMOs may use a third-party provider to deliver NTS training. In this case, the MAO, ANSP or ABMO should ensure that the third-party provider’s:

initial knowledge-based NTS training is as required in AMC NTS.10(b)4(i)

knowledge-based continuation NTS training content covers the topics detailed in GM NTS.10(b)4(v)

NTSF and NTST understand the operational context, and NTST meet the training requirements of AMC NTS.10(c)1.