Pilot Peer Initial Training Course
Our 3-day (24-hour) Pilot Peer Initial Training program is a specialised course designed for airline pilots with at least one year of flying experience.
Next available course
Course overview
Our 3-day (24-hour) Pilot Peer Initial Training program is a specialised course designed for airline pilots with at least one year of flying experience. It equips you with the skills and knowledge necessary to support your colleagues in overcoming personal and professional challenges.
The course enhances your listening skills, empathetic communication, and psychological knowledge. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to efficiently assist pilots in regaining optimal work performance and quality of life. The training emphasizes the importance of developing strong listening skills and a deep understanding of empathetic communication.
New peers must attend the initial training course to operate within the NaviMinds PPS program.
Our initial course fully complies with EASA and EEPSI guidelines for pilot peer training.
What you'll learn:
Gain a thorough understanding of the peer support role
Get a comprehensive toolkit for empathetic communication
Gain a deeper understanding of psychological well-being
The confidence to make a meaningful difference within your professional community
How to help pilots boost performance and enhance their quality of life
Course program
Day 1
- Historical outline of psychology and different therapeutic styles
- The role of the peer pilot
- Establishing a secure environment
- The roles of body language and tone (markers)
- How to differentiate between severe and minor health problems
- Handling of personal information (GDPR)
- Knowledge about ICAOs, IATAs and IFALPAs “fitness to fly”
Day 2
- What is empathetic communication
- Empathetic listening – How do we listen and WHAT do we listen for
- Empathetic guessing
- Possible pitfalls and how to detect and avoid these
- Identifying own areas for development
- Temporary relief policy of the AOC
- Knowledge about the pilot peer support programme
Day 3
- The role of emotions – how they can cause problems and how they carry essential messages
- Mindfulness and the power of meditation
- Psychological first aid
- An overview of the most common psychological issues among pilots
- How to deal with people who are in crisis
- Role plays to practice/train call techniques and counselling skills
- Guidelines for confidentiality and when breaches can occur (including signing the Peer Confidentiality Agreement)
- How the collaboration with the programme MHP and programme lead works in practice
- External pathways to professional help outside the NaviMinds PPSP auspices.
FAQ
Who conduct the Pilot Peer Initial Training?
All of our Pilot Peer Support Training courses are led by one of NaviMinds’ seasoned Human Factors specialists at our centrally located training facility in Copenhagen. This immersive environment encourages participants to share experiences and best practices, fostering collaboration across diverse backgrounds.
How often does NaviMinds run the initial training course?
NaviMinds will make the initial training of peer pilots available 2-3 times per year. The duration of the initial course is three days.
Can the course be conducted online?
Yes, the course can be conducted online as a live webinar, offered on-demand, in addition to our in-person classroom option.
We recommend the physical classroom training, as it provides more opportunities for delegates to share experiences and challenges. The in-person format also includes multiple role plays, essential for honing delegates’ skills in empathetic listening and psychological first aid.
Does my airline need to be a member of your program for me to attend the course?
No, your airline doesn’t need to be a member of our PPSP. We welcome peers from various companies, offering the added benefit of sharing ideas, knowledge, and experiences across different organisational structures and cultures.
Is it mandatory to complete an initial course to become a peer?
Yes, according to EASA regulations, anyone stepping into a peer role must complete training beforehand. This is to ensure that peers have the required skills to offer effective support, are fully aware of confidentiality rules, know when it’s appropriate to breach confidentiality and understand the correct procedures for handling cases.
Do I have to be a pilot to become a peer?
No, other personnel groups are also welcome to take on the peer role. It’s up to each operator to decide whether to include roles such as cabin crew and maintenance staff in their peer support program.
Regardless of your operator’s decision, anyone with an interest from any personnel group is welcome to join our course.
Meet your instructors
Anne Sølvsteen Knudsen
Founder of NaviMinds & Human Factors Specialist
Anne began her aviation career as a Cabin Attendant in 1987. She transitioned into a Flight Instructor role in 1994 and went on to serve as a First Officer at Maersk Air and Sterling Airlines. Later, Anne became a Simulator Flight Instructor and Captain on the 737 fleet at Primera Air A/S, where she also held roles as Deputy Safety Officer and Chief of Human Factors Training.
In addition to her extensive aviation experience, Anne holds a BA from Copenhagen Business School and certifications as a Life- and Business Coach. She is a specialist in Human Performance & Limitations, with further studies in cognitive and social psychology from Copenhagen University and medical hypnotherapy from London.