It’s another season for recurrent training, where pilots retrain to refresh their memory and make sure their knowledge is up to date. The Latvian airline, airBaltic, has highlighted its comprehensive crew training program for this year.
What is airBaltic’s recurrent training program?
Each year, the airline’s over one thousand pilots and cabin crew complete recurrent training at the airBaltic Training centre in Riga, Latvia, to ensure the highest safety standards are met and kept up to date.
Typically, recurrent training program in the aviation sector are up to 3-4 days of training. The airBaltic crew members took the four-day training to refresh their knowledge of safety equipment, emergency procedures, first aid, firefighting, dangerous goods, crew resource management, and cabin service.
The training is structured to help maintain strong, long-term proficiency across all critical areas.
Diāna Marta Ruka, Senior Cabin Crew and Ground Instructor Manager at airBaltic:
“Our recurrent training program is more than a regulatory requirement – it reflects airBaltic’s culture of safety and continuous professional development. The recurrent training focuses on revising normal daily operations and places emphasis on emergency procedures to ensure that crews are ready for any situation that may arise. By combining hands-on exercises with scenario-based learning, we ensure that our crew not only maintains technical proficiency but also strengthens teamwork, decision-making, and readiness for any situation. This investment in our people ultimately enhances the overall safety and confidence of every passenger we carry.”
What does the airBaltic recurrent training involve?
During their recurrent training at the airBaltic Training centre, crew members begin by completing a pre-assessment test to evaluate their existing knowledge, followed by theoretical and interactive self-study of the airline’s educational materials.
The program then moves into practical training, hands-on sessions where crew members refresh their understanding of the aircraft’s safety equipment, practise various self-defence and passenger protection techniques, rehearse emergency procedures, and practice firefighting techniques and other safety-critical procedures.
All of these procedures are realistic, scenario-based exercises that allow crew members to experience how non-standard situations might unfold in real life and strengthen the crew members readiness to respond effectively.
The training also includes a comprehensive course in crew resource management focusing on different types of human error, reinforcing teamwork and communication in dynamic operational environments.
Cabin crew update and deepen their knowledge and receive first aid training to ensure they can respond quickly if passengers become unwell on board, further strengthening their practical skills and readiness.
Why recurrent training?
Pilots, and crew members, must be proficient in handling certain emergencies, for example engine failure on take-off, TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) events, rejected take-offs etc.
They undergo yearly and sometimes twice yearly simulator checks and training days, yearly ground school training, and may have to write recurrent exams in numerous subjects to maintain their qualifications.
Missing out on recurrent training can have serious consequences. Flying an aircraft is complex and a constantly evolving task that requires a high level of skill, knowledge, and proficiency. Without regular training, pilots run the risk of losing proficiency in their flying skills and becoming less prepared to handle unexpected situations.
What do you think of airBaltic’s recurrent training program? Let us know in the comments
