The researchers of the current study would like to thank the participants and organization for the feedback and support.

Background The aviation industry is facing a substantial shortage of pilots. Per the International Civil Aviation Organization, it is projected airlines will need 350,000 pilots globally. Aims Due to the demand of pilots, most of the conversations are focused on quantity rather than quality of the workforce. Educators and researchers in several industries have advocated competency‐based education in aviation for decades. Method Members of the research team documented the consensus decision‐making process which determined which competencies would be incorporated into the flight program. Results Six competencies were selected for the hybrid competency‐based education model. Teamwork, decision‐making, communication, resilience, leadership, and technical excellence were extensively defined for the aviation program. Discussion/Conclusion Shifting toward a hybrid competency‐based education model is challenging within a large flight program. However, the members of the research team believe the transformation process will improve program outcomes. Next steps include assessment plan development and data collection.

Safety management in Aviation training is shaped by identification, evaluation, and measurement of the safety risks. The International Air Transportation Authority (IATA) Technology Roadmap (IATA 2022) offers a synopsis and evaluation of ongoing technology opportunities, which change the aviation environment with the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and introduction of enhanced Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO) and Single Pilot Operations (SiPO). Change management (airplane design philosophy /ergonomics) affects aviation training design philosophy. A hybrid competency-based education approach in aviation needs interaction with the aviation industry and changes in flight operations (ICAO, 2022). The performance gap of these changes concerning the aviation industry, flight operations, and training is assessed and measured through Evidence-Based Training (EBT) pilot competencies (ICAO, 2016). Safety management systems (SMSs) in aviation training present a lag in identifying and implementing Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs). Implementation of Evidence-based Safety performance indicators as conceptualized in the aviation training through SPI’s (data-based parameters from students' flights) at a theoretical and practical level, act as safety (SMS), personal development (identify pilot weakness – Human Factors), and assessment (Competency-based education) tool (ICAO, 2018).Keywords: Evidence-Based Training (EBT), Safety Management Systems (SMSs), Safety Performance Indicators (SPIs), Human Factors (HF), ergonomics, aviation training.