Launch of AAAA'S Professional Pilot Program

The Professional Pilots Program (PPP) - was launched by the Director of CASA, Mick Toller, at the Association's Annual Convention 2002 in Coolum.

The PPP is linked to pilots' Spraysafe accreditation to provide an ongoing currency requirement to that accreditation.

The ag industry in Australia now has an ongoing professional development or continuing education program that recognises the fact that pilots should not and do not stop learning once they have attained their ag rating.

Importantly, the PPP will also remove a number of impediments to the recognition of a pilot's Spraysafe accreditation for the purpose of issuing a national chemical distribution licence.

The starting point for new entrants to the industry will remain the successful completion of the Spraysafe exam for pilots. Once a pilot has achieved their initial accreditation by passing the Spraysafe exam, they will be issued with an accreditation that will be current for three years. At the end of three years they then have the option of either sitting the exam again, or fulfilling the requirements of the PPP.

At the heart of the PPP will be the requirement to achieve 15 education credits over a three year period of validity, with no more than 10 credits to be achieved in any one year.

AAAA has determined what qualifies as education credits, which includes attendance at conferences and technical training days, attainment of higher qualifications and other initiatives relevant to professional development.

The program has a robust verification system for pilots claiming they have complied with requirements - AAAA maintains sign-in books for those events it directly controls such as conferences and training that can count towards the PPP, and pilots can either provide documentary evidence of achievement of credits (such as certificates etc), or can have their Chief Pilot sign-off that they have in fact achieved what they are claiming. Only Spraysafe accredited Chief Pilots can sign-off for other pilots. Chief Pilots will be able to sign themselves off, but their claims will be audited as part of the Spraysafe audit program.

AAAA offers a range of professional development opportunities for pilots to continue their education and to receive recognition for their professionalism, including training courses on low level wire hazard management, drift management, and human factors.  AAAA conferences and Air Improvement Meetings offer pilot the chance to hear world class speakers and experts in their field, ranging from aviation safety to spray management to improving aerial application businesses.

The PPP is a big step forward for Australia's ag pilots and one that provides them with the recognition of their skills and ongoing learning that they deserve.