(L/D)max Aviation Group

(L/D)max Aviation Safety Group understands the need for continuing education and training of accident investigators throughout their careers. Many organizations offer training that can be accomplished through individual courses. Increasingly, organizations are looking for an indication of the depth and breadth of investigation training in addition to experience. On an international level, there has been a call, and a universal rejection, of a standardized "certification" program for aircraft accident investigators. (L/D)max Aviation agrees with that viewpoint; no one organization has the ability to govern qualification standards for individual ICAO States or the aviation organizations residing within their borders. However, the need for a recognition of continued dedication to expand knowledge and expertise has led many organizations to develop a Certificate program.

The (L/D)max Aviation Certificate in Aircraft Accident Investigation formally acknowledges this depth and breadth of one's training. This Certificate recognizes the core areas of knowledge and training required in accident investigation and the specialty training that will expand an investigators overall ability. Through classroom courses, research, attendance at investigation forums and "hands-on" experience, an individual can complete the (L/D)max Aviation Aircraft Accident Investigation Certificate.

All aircraft accident investigators must begin with training in the basics of the process. The basics are defined by the suggested curriculum outlined by ICAO Circular 298 AN/172, Training Guidelines for Aircraft Accident Investigators and the Guidelines for Investigator Training and Education published by the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI). (L/D)max Aviation offers this training in the Aircraft Accident Investigation course.

In addition to this required classroom training outline above, participants earn the (L/D)max Aviation Certificate in Aircraft Accident Investigation by accomplishing the following:

• Aircraft Accident Preparation (AAP)
• Human Factors Investigation (HFI)
• Family Assistance Planning and Execution (FAPE)
• Aircraft Accident Investigation and Reporting (AAIR)
• Industrial and Occupational Aviation Investigation (IOAI)
• Aviation Ramp and Maintenance Safety (ARMS)
• Aircraft Maintenance Investigation (MXI)
• General Aviation Accident Investigation (GAAI)
• Rotary-Wing (Helicopter) Accident Investigation (RWI)
• Air Traffic Services Investigation (ATSI)
• Avionics Investigation (AVI)
• Gas Turbine Investigations (GTI)
• System Safety Investigation (SSI)
• System Safety Management (SSM)

Note: Courses offered by organizations other than (L/D)max may be considered for both the required AAI course as well as the elective courses. To receive this credit, the applicant must submit a copy of their Certificate of Completion to (L/D)max Aviation administration requesting the application of credit. For the award of the (L/D)max Aviation Certificate, a minimum of attendance at either the initial AAI course or the final training course in the series must be taken with (L/D)max Aviation. Investigation training that may be considered for credit come from aviation safety organizations including the following:

• University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering Aviation Safety and Security program.
• Cranfield University Aviation Professional Development program
• Transportation Safety Institute (FAA)
• NTSB Training Center
• Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI)

(L/D)max Aviation will consider other aviation investigation training programs on a case-by-case basis. To receive this credit, the applicant must submit proof of completion to (L/D)max Aviation administration requesting the application of credit and, upon request, the content, outlines or syllabi for the course they are seeking credit from.

Research into developing or improving aircraft accident investigation through techniques or analysis may be substituted for classroom training. However, the applicability of research topics to the Certificate program depends on the extent of research completed and the benefit to the investigation profession. Simple research into methodology that results in recommended improvements may be substituted for one of the four (4) additional courses outlined above. Significant research which dramatically adds to the ability of investigators to accomplish complicated investigations may be substituted for two courses. To receive this credit, the applicant must submit the research abstract or report, results submitted to the approving agency and documentation that the research will benefit investigators to (L/D)max Aviation administration requesting the application of credit. As (L/D)max Aviation strives to keep the content of its training programs as current as possible, the documentation submitted may result in a request for license by (L/D)max Aviation to use the materials in its training programs.

Aircraft Accident Investigators strive to attend conferences where they may share experiences with other investigators. The dedication to this cultivation of relationships and broadening a world view of investigations is frequently as detailed, though not as comprehensive, as attending classroom courses. Of course, the effort to merely attend is not the same as making a presentation in this kind of forum, so the "credit" allowed for attendance has the following two categories:

• Giving a presentation dealing with an aircraft accident investigation topic will qualify for credit towards the AAI Certificate as 0.5 course. That is, two such papers must be accepted by the forum organizers and the presentation made before the delegates to earn the credit for one of the additional courses outlined above. To receive this credit, the applicant must submit the presentation (paper or presentation media) and a copy of the forum agenda indicating their presentation to (L/D)max Aviation administration requesting the application of credit.
• Attending an Aviation Safety forum as a delegate, similarly, will expand the knowledge base of investigators, but there is much less effort involved. Therefore, attendance only at aviation safety forums will be eligible for 0.2 course (attendance at 5 forums will count as a single elective course.) To receive this credit, the applicant must submit proof of attendance to (L/D)max Aviation administration requesting the application of credit.

Qualifying aircraft aviation safety forums include the following:

• International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) Annual or Regional Seminars
• International Accident Investigation Forum
• International Aircraft Cabin Safety Symposium
• World Airline Training Seminar (WATS)
• Corporate Aviation Safety Seminar (CASS)
• (L/D)max Aviation will consider other aircraft aviation safety seminars, forums and/or symposiums on a case-by-case basis when the agenda is provided for review.

Investigative experience is the basis for all training programs passed on to others. Therefore, those experienced investigators who conduct training programs may use these courses as equivalent to any of the elective courses. Life experience as an investigator alone is hard to judge and, in the absence of professional broadening experience as outlined above is difficult to quantify. However, (L/D)max Aviation will consider extensive experience as an aircraft safety investigator in exchange for training or forums on a case-by-case basis, but usually at no greater than one course for each 15 years of experience.

(L/D)max Aviation recognizes that many of the world's military services have established aviation safety training programs that provide training equivalent to that obtained from commercial organizations. We will consider any military aircraft accident investigation training for credit as outlined above. Other than the following recognized training programs, (L/D)max Aviation will consider others programs on a case-by-case basis. To receive this credit, the applicant must submit proof of completion to (L/D)max Aviation administration requesting the application of credit. Some of the US Military training programs approved, for example, include:

• Flight Safety Officer (FSO) course, United States Air Force (USAF)
• International Flight Safety Officer (IFSO) course, United States Air Force (USAF)
• Aircraft Mishap Investigation Course (AMIC), United States Air Force (USAF)
• Jet Engine Mishap Investigation (JEIM), United States Air Force (USAF)
• Aviation Safety Officer (ASO), United States Navy (USN)

While there is no doubt as to the quality of accredited university aviation programs, how individual academic courses apply the practical training required for the depth and breadth of training sought for in the AAI Certificate is not so easily seen in mere transcripts. (L/D)max will evaluate any request for transfer of credit based on hours of instruction, duration of training and, in some cases, after a review of content outlines or syllabi.

Attendees in (L/D)max Aviation‘s accident investigation courses for all requirements need no other application. For consideration of a combination of courses and other options, an applicant must submit a letter requesting the consideration and award of the (L/D)max Aviation Aircraft Accident Investigation Certificate along with the appropriate documentation outlined above. Upon approval, the Certificate will be forwarded to the applicant outlining the courses taken and additional qualifying criteria. Submit the Request for Award to:

Director of Administration
(L/D)max Aviation Safety Group
P.O. Box 2612
San Pedro, CA 90731

Or by email in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format to: info@ldmaxaviation.com.