Shape.aero is currently proud to be helping the new Gulf Aviation Academy in Bahrain to set a new TRTO and Cabin Training Organisation. Our brief is compliance management and QPulse databasing, as well as helping to abtain the necessary approvals.

The GAA is a seperate company form our old friends in Gulf Air, and looks forward to much third party training. To this end an impressive array of simulators has been installed. The UK CAAi is assisting the Bahrain CAA with the approvals, and we wish the GAA total success in this venture. 

After an 8 year happy association with the BAA management Training Centre at Pease Pottage, sadly the facility has been sold for redevelopment. That means that our last course there was the November 2008 QMS, after which we had to look for new locations.

We are therefore currently running courses at the LHR Touchbase facility, associated with the Premier Inn on the Bath Road, east of the LHR entrance from the A4 (connection by Hoppa Bus No.6). Training facilities are excellent, and course delegates can take advantage of the low cost Premier Inn if they wish, or their own crew hotel if preferred. It's running well. Later on we may also run courses at the Gatwick Manor.

Capt Hugh Jones, whom many will know from a long and distinguished career as a Manager and Training Captain, now practices in Shape.aero on various projects, specialising in AOC and TO start-ups.

Hugh is also available to offer specialist advice as an expert witness on legal and insurance matters. We look forward to a long and happy association.

Shape.aero has introduced a one day event is designed to to introduce aviation auditors to Human Factors and also to help experienced auditors to refresh their skills. During the day participants cover:

> human information processing, the way our brains work and it's shortcomings;
> error chain analysis;
> effective communication including conflict resolution.

The techniques and skills learnt are 'life skills' applicable to all, but this training has been tailored to the aviation specialist.

This training was devised and is usually presented by Joanne Green, who is a fully qualified HF trainer and also an accomplished auditor.

Michael Grüninger, of Great Circle Services AG, whom many will know from his time with the JAA-TO, is now closely assiciated with Shape.aero, and you will see his Accountable Manager and Postholder training courses advertised in our training suite, organised by Shape.aero & running in the UK or frequently in-company.

This is an exciting development all round, not least for the fact that high value senior management training is now available in the UK. Regrettably a UK CAA FODCOM has rather unfairly pointed would-be participants towards the JAA-TO, and in the mean time Michael had left. However, the current strength of sterling may prove attractive to many.