What is Area 100 KSA & why is it important?

Area 100 KSA (Knowledge, Skills, & Attitudes) is a new training approach in the ATPL theoretical training, that aims to teach pilots vital competencies that were not previously addressed by traditional subjects. KSA does not have an associated official exam but is instead assessed at the ATO level.

The name “Area 100” comes from the number code that EASA gives to the ATPL subjects. Ordinary subjects go from 010 (Air Law) to 092 (IFR Communications), & KSA has been assigned number 100.

Why has Area 100 KSA been developed?

As we mentioned when speaking about the APS MCC course, EASA data shows that approximately 50% of licensed pilots have insufficient competencies for employment, & therefore fail AOC assessments. Single-choice examinations do not verify if the answers come from rote learning or from understanding.

Moreover, flight crew errors, & specifically a lack or poor application non-technical skills, are one of the primary causes of aviation accidents. Its importance as a share of total accidents has been steadily rising for decades, as aircraft have become more reliable & complex.

To tackle this issue, Area 100 KSA addresses the need for holistic, output-based training which develops & assesses the pilot’s competencies. It is a shift in pilot training to a competency-based training environment.

Figure 1: Success as a combination of knowledge, skills & attitudes

Area 100 KSA differs from other learning objectives (LOs) in the verbs used: Show & demonstrate. Its syllabus has three main objectives:

• To firmly embed competency-based training in ground school.
• To provide an effective bridge between theoretical knowledge training & flight training.
• To encourage the development of the ‘thinking pilot’.

These objectives are reached through involvement, using learning by discovery & scenario-based learning, embedded in real-world situations.

The training philosophy behind this could be then summarized as “Involve me & I learn”, shifting from passive learning to active learning.

Figure 2: Passive & active learning

These Learning Objectives are the following:

• Communication
• Leadership & teamwork
• Problem-solving & decision-making
• Situation awareness
• Workload management
• Threat & error management (TEM)
• Application of knowledge
• Upset prevention & recovery training (UPRT) & resilience
• Mental maths (approximations)

How will KSA impact pilot training?

Besides the ATPL official theoretical subjects, & before attending the last official examination, you will need to pass the KSA module & show competency in the above-mentioned Learning Objectives, which your flight school will evaluate through any combination of these exercises:

• Written planning exercises combining multiple subjects
• Practical exercises using training devices (if available)
• Enable scenario-based content & individual, pair, or group situation(s)
• Scenario-based oral board
• Scenario-based communications exercises
• Written assignments or project work
• Preparation & delivery of group or individual presentations & discussions
• Scenario planning exercises combining multiple subjects
• Oral communication exercises
• Discussions

Exercises & assessments are interwoven into the theoretical knowledge training, utilizing a range of learning styles. they address cross-subject topics & are scenario-based. The exercises & assessments aren’t always confined to a classroom anymore.

How will those competencies be assessed?

‘Word pictures’ are a proven assessment tool that standardizes pilot core competencies, & can be used to assess student’s competency in the Area 100 KSA. Word pictures describe the student’s performance.

The most commonly used word pictures are based on performance indicators, which explain what the student should demonstrate in order to attain the specific Learning Objectives that are addressed by the assessment exercise.

A word picture is normally constructed with elements containing:

• HOW WELL the core competency was demonstrated in the exercise.
• HOW MUCH assistance was required from the trainer or assessor (e.g. tell or show, prompt, hint)
• in the exercise (when the exercise is used for development as well as checking or assessing).
• HOW OFTEN (e.g. rarely, occasionally, normally, always) & HOW MANY of the indicators

occurred, to enable the OUTCOME (how successfully the exercise was achieved).

Word pictures typically describe five numerical grade levels, from 1 to 5, which then enable standardisation of the assessment.

Figure 3: Word Pictures typically used in Evidence-Based Training

What will KSA mean for future pilots?

As a pilot, you will receive better training & be more competent, since your knowledge will be based on reasoning & not pure memorisation. You will therefore have better chances of meeting airline requirements & securing a job.

On the other side, airlines will be able to choose from a pool of highly qualified pilots that have been trained using best practices & have demonstrated vital ICAO core competencies, & flight schools will show commitment with the best training standards & its ability to adapt to changing requirements & regulations.

When will Area 100 KSA be implemented?

EASA will require all pilot training organisations to have a KSA approach in their training courses by 31st January 2022. However, in Quality Fly, KSA is already implemented on our new ATPL Integrated Programme, which also includes a gliding module, APS MCC & 8 hours in an A320 Full Flight Simulator Level D (FFS).

By doing this, we become one of the first Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) in Spain & Europe to obtain KSA approval within the ATPL integrated & ATPL theory programs. As of today, there is only a reduced number of schools having received Area 100 KSA approval, including BAA or Bartolini Air. Quality Fly is very proud to be within this pioneering group of schools.