Satcom Direct enhances local training offering for Latin America

Satcom Direct training

São Paulo, 13 August 2018 – Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation connectivity, software and hardware provider is showcasing its expanding suite of professional training courses to the Latin American business aviation community at LABACE 2018.

Following the successful completion in July of the first round of classes designed for local Brazilian pilots SD is now bolstering its offering with the addition of new subjects to the portfolio. The first four-hour workshops, attended by pilots from four local business aviation operators, focused on improving crew understanding of ACARS – Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System – through the SD Flight Deck Freedom datalink communications service. The inaugural course detailed how to use FDF and ACARS, including FANS 1A, to optimise situational awareness to heighten security and safety.

All materials are delivered in Portuguese to encourage pilot engagement with, and better understanding of, the content. Future pilot courses are likely to cover the use of electronic flight logs, flight planning tools, and flight data analysis.  As the curriculum develops SD is working with the Brazilian National Agency of Civil Aviation to have the educational programme formally recognised. It is anticipated this will be achieved by the end of 2018.

SD already supports professional development internationally by offering accredited connectivity qualifications.  Created for IT, management and aviation networking professionals, aeroIT provides essential information about airborne connectivity systems.

Developed in association with CompTIA (the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications), more than 500 students have achieved the professional accreditation since launch in May 2015. The aeroCNCT course focuses on improved onboard connectivity knowledge for cabin crew and flight departments that work with, or are responsible for, connectivity during flight.

In response to the rise of aviation cyber-attacks SD devised the industry’s first certified cyber security training course. Developed in partnership with Logical Operations, the SD CyberSAFEÔ programme details network vulnerabilities, the causes, and how to mitigate the associated risks. Available in the classroom or via computer-based training, the course is complemented by a network of international cyber security seminars.

“Understanding the full power of our flight deck offerings can really enhance the pilot experience so we’ve designed our local courses to provide useful, practical and relevant information. The courses, which are free of charge to our customers, also improve a pilot’s career profile and raise industry standards,” explains Managing Director, SD Brazil, Ewerton Libanio. “Our approach is to educate and empower our colleagues by delivering a range of technology knowledge. The international accredited courses are available for all the industry, you don’t have to be an SD customer, so if you’re in the industry, and want to be educated about connectivity, SD is here to help.”