Virtual Training versus Classroom Training for Cabin Crew: Benefits and Challenges
Kallonen, Florencia (2021)
Kallonen, Florencia
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202105108102
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202105108102
Tiivistelmä
This thesis was born as product development as a way of research in response to the needs of airline FINNAIR Oyj when presented with the raging COVID-19 pandemic and the need to keep on training (Recurrent training) of their flying personnel while following requirements by the aviation authorities and keeping with the safety measures.
This research aims to evaluate Finnair’s improvised online training methods as a way to improve them and help the airline better prepare for similar situations in the future.
This work starts by giving background into the airline in question, the aviation business and its training, and a current state of aviation moving on to the methodology. Data collection and analysis come next, followed by results, discussion, conclusion, and learning outcomes.
The study was conducted as qualitative research collecting data utilizing semi-structured interviews with three groups: 7 Cabin Crew members, 12 of Finnair’s Cabin Crew instructors, and 5 different airlines to conduct a benchmark on their methods utilized during the pandemic. Literature was limited by gathered data was sufficient, proving how current and important the topic was.
The research found virtual training to be less effective and less liked than classroom training, with a lack of interaction, technical problems, and difficulties for controlling cabin crew participation with the principal benefit being the flexibility it offers. It was also found that while classroom training is more interactive and communication works better, virtual training can be adjusted to improve its efficacy.
The findings addressed that the legal requirements imposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency and TRAFICOM do not allow for complete virtual training, partial virtual training is possible, and effective if done right.
A set of suggestions is presented as well as opportunities for further research in the future.
The thesis was conducted and written from December 2020 to April 2021.
This research aims to evaluate Finnair’s improvised online training methods as a way to improve them and help the airline better prepare for similar situations in the future.
This work starts by giving background into the airline in question, the aviation business and its training, and a current state of aviation moving on to the methodology. Data collection and analysis come next, followed by results, discussion, conclusion, and learning outcomes.
The study was conducted as qualitative research collecting data utilizing semi-structured interviews with three groups: 7 Cabin Crew members, 12 of Finnair’s Cabin Crew instructors, and 5 different airlines to conduct a benchmark on their methods utilized during the pandemic. Literature was limited by gathered data was sufficient, proving how current and important the topic was.
The research found virtual training to be less effective and less liked than classroom training, with a lack of interaction, technical problems, and difficulties for controlling cabin crew participation with the principal benefit being the flexibility it offers. It was also found that while classroom training is more interactive and communication works better, virtual training can be adjusted to improve its efficacy.
The findings addressed that the legal requirements imposed by the European Aviation Safety Agency and TRAFICOM do not allow for complete virtual training, partial virtual training is possible, and effective if done right.
A set of suggestions is presented as well as opportunities for further research in the future.
The thesis was conducted and written from December 2020 to April 2021.