HFS 2027 Programme

We have carefully selected the topic areas for the HFS 2027 programme, covering the most pressing and innovative issues in the field. The detailed lineup, including the distinguished experts and their presentations, will be updated regularly.

Monday, 21 June 2027

Workshops

We are pleased to offer 4 workshops ahead of the main event. These aim to bring together experts and operators to exchange practical experiences and insights. The goal is to collaborate on best practices and provide valuable recommendations for the future. Key outcomes will be shared during the broader event.

Monday Morning Workshops

10:00–13:00 Hypoxia Workshop This workshop brings together hypoxia training experts and operators of hypobaric and normobaric training systems to exchange practical experience and discuss current challenges. Participants will explore best practices, share lessons learned, and contribute recommendations to support the future development of hypoxia training.
10:00–13:00 Spatial Disorientation and Night Vision Workshop This workshop brings together experts, instructors, and operators to exchange experiences and best practices in spatial disorientation and night vision training. Discussions will focus on visual and vestibular illusions, human performance, accident prevention, and the challenges of operating in degraded visual environments, with the aim of enhancing training effectiveness and flight safety.

Monday Afternoon Workshops

14:00–17:00 High-G Workshop This Workshop brings together experts and human centrifuge operators to exchange practical experiences, best practices, and lessons learned in High-G Training. Participants will discuss evolving requirements and contribute recommendations to help shape the future of pilot preparation for high-performance aircraft.
14:00–17:00 Pilot Selection Workshop This workshop brings together aviation psychologists, instructors, and selection specialists to discuss best practices and emerging approaches in pilot selection. The focus is on competency-based assessment, objective evaluation methods, and identifying candidates with the highest potential for successful pilot training.

Registration

On-site registration is available on Monday 13:00–17:00 at the reception desk in the foyer of the event hotel.

Icebreaker Event

The icebreaker event starts on Monday at 19:00 in the event hotel’s PitterKeller restaurant.

Tuesday, 22 June 2027

The presentation sessions are kicking off on Tuesday. After an engaging day of sessions, the evening will be free for everyone—making it the perfect opportunity to explore the beautiful city of Salzburg at your leisure.

08:30–09:30 Introduction and Welcome
09:30–10:00 Coffee Break
10:00–11:00 Human-Machine Teaming: Preparing Operators for Manned, Unmanned and Autonomous Aviation From highly automated airline cockpits to military operations involving autonomous wingmen and unmanned systems, aviation is entering an era where success increasingly depends on effective human-machine collaboration. This session explores the competencies, training methods, and human factors considerations needed to prepare operators for evolving operational roles and future aviation systems.
11:00–11:30 Coffee Break
11:30–12:30 Beyond the Hype: Real-World Experience with VR/XR Training VR/XR technologies are increasingly finding their way into aviation training, but where do they create real value? This session explores practical experience covering training effectiveness, implementation challenges, human factors considerations, regulatory developments, and lessons learned. Real-world case studies will highlight where immersive technologies enhance training outcomes, where limitations remain, and how VR/XR can be successfully integrated into modern training concepts.
12:30–13:00 Podium Discussion
13:00–14:00 Lunch Break
14:00–15:00 Human Performance in the Age of AI: Training for Future Aviation Operations AI is reshaping the aviation training landscape through personalized learning, automated feedback, intelligent scenario generation, and data-driven competency assessment. At the same time, operators must learn how to trust, supervise, and collaborate with increasingly capable AI-enabled systems. This session examines practical applications, lessons learned, and the human performance considerations that will define the next generation of aviation training and operations.
15:00–15:30 Coffee Break
15:30–16:30 Monitoring Performance, Enhancing Readiness Human performance remains a critical factor in aviation safety and operational effectiveness. This session explores how organizations can better understand, measure, and enhance operational readiness through advances in physiological monitoring, cognitive performance assessment, and human performance training. Bringing together civil and military perspectives, speakers will discuss practical applications, emerging technologies, and lessons learned in preparing personnel for increasingly demanding and automated operational environments.
16:30–17:00 Podium Discussion

Wednesday, 23 June 2027

Wednesday Morning

On Wednesday morning, the audience will be split into two streams: the Aeromedical Stream and the Commercial Aviation Stream. Attendees are free to choose the stream that aligns with their interests and are welcome to switch between streams at any point during the morning sessions. This flexibility ensures you can engage with the topics most relevant to you and gain insights from both areas of discussion.

Aeromedical Stream

08:30–09:30 Preparing Pilots for Next-Generation Air Operations Fifth- and sixth-generation air combat systems are introducing new levels of automation, connectivity, and human-machine teaming. As operational concepts evolve, training must adapt to prepare pilots for increasingly complex environments. This session explores how military operators and industry are addressing emerging training requirements and the human skills that will remain critical for future air operations.
09:30–10:00 Coffee Break
10:00–11:00 Lessons Learned from Modern Air Warfare Recent conflicts are reshaping military aviation, air defence, and the role of manned and unmanned systems. This session explores lessons learned from Ukraine and other operational environments, examining implications for training, human performance, and future force development.
11:00–11:30 Coffee Break
11:30–12:30 Training the Modern Helicopter Mission Crew Military helicopter operations depend on the coordinated performance of pilots and mission crews. This session explores how training must evolve to prepare mission crews for increasingly complex environments, including special operations, search and rescue, and multi-domain missions. Topics include crew resource management, mission rehearsal, simulation-based training, human factors, and emerging technologies supporting operational readiness.
12:30–13:00 Podium Discussion
13:00–14:00 Lunch Break

Civil Aviation Stream

08:30–09:30 Building Bridges between Training Requirements and Simulation Capability EASA’s new FSTD framework introduces a direct link between training objectives and simulator capabilities through the FSTD Capability Signature (FCS). This session will help stakeholders understand the upcoming changes, explore implementation challenges, and discuss how capability-based qualification can improve training effectiveness across fixed-wing and rotary-wing aviation.
09:30–10:00 Coffee Break
10:00–11:00 Future Aviation Professionals: Skills, Selection and Development As automation, new technologies, and changing operational requirements reshape aviation, organizations must rethink how they identify, develop, and retain talent. This session explores the future competencies required for pilots, the evolving role of selection and assessment, and how training organizations can prepare a resilient and adaptable workforce. Industry leaders and human factors experts will discuss emerging skill profiles, workforce challenges, and strategies for developing aviation professionals ready for the future.
11:00–11:30 Coffee Break
11:30–12:30 Training for the Unexpected: Preparing Pilots for High-Consequence Events Rare but high-consequence events place exceptional demands on pilots. This session examines how training can develop decision-making, resilience, situational awareness, and performance under pressure, drawing on lessons learned from civil and military aviation, accident investigation, emergency response, and complex operational environments.
12:30–13:00 Podium Discussion
13:00–14:00 Lunch Break

Wednesday Afternoon

On Wednesday afternoon, all participants will come back together for joint sessions.

To conclude the event, we invite everyone to the Take-Off Dinner at an exclusive location with stunning views of Salzburg. With excellent Austrian cuisine and warm hospitality, this dinner provides the perfect opportunity to relax, and build lasting connections with fellow attendees. We look forward to sharing this special moment with you!

14:00–15:00 Presentation of Workshop Results
15:00–15:30 Coffee Break
15:30–16:30 Presentation of Workshop Results
16:30–17:00 Farewell
19:00–00:00 Take-Off Dinner

Thursday, 24 June 2027

On Thursday, we offer an optional technical tour for all attendees, where we will travel together to visit a leading aviation facility.

09:00–13:00 Technical Tour Destination to be announced.

Note

Please note that the programme is subject to change. Speakers and presentation details will be announced in the coming months.