Ryanair selects WBT's TopClass

Dateline: 24 February 2004

WBT Systems, a global leader in Enterprise e-Learning solutions, today announced that Ryanair, Europe's leading low fares airline has selected WBT's TopClass e-learning suite to manage and track all Flight Training for its 2000 Ryanair & Buzz pilots and crew. By using TopClass to track and record training online, Ryanair anticipates major improvements in workflow through enhanced reporting, tracking and centralised management. It also makes Ryanair one of the first airlines in Europe to have an entirely paperless training environment.

The aviation industry is one of the most highly regulated industries in the world. Pilots and crew must observe extensive training and certification requirements by aviation authorities such as the IAA and the CAA. In addition, the issuance and maintenance of pilot licences in most European countries are governed by the Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR). Meeting JARs are mission critical for Ryanair; if a pilot cannot prove that he/she is JAR compliant in a range of areas, then the pilot will not be allowed fly. Depending on the circumstances, some pilots have to recertify as often as every 6 months. However, ensuring pilots meet all the necessary regulatory training requirements is a major operational challenge for Ryanair given aircrew work schedules and a widely dispersed work force.

TopClass will manage the records for all training events including ground school training, pilot conversion courses, type rating courses, simulator, line checks, command checks and instructor training programmes. Ryanair's decision to move its entire system on-line necessitated the creation of over 100 electronic training documents in TopClass. By using TopClass, Ryanair instructors will be able to access the training system from all its European bases. They can then rate and check all training on-line with instant access to individual training history and status. In addition, TopClass has been adapted to integrate with Ryanair's rostering system, Netline from Lufthansa.

Ryanair looked at a number of options before opting for TopClass."Apart from the superior technical functionality of TopClass, we chose WBT Systems because of their ability to understand our requirements and to deliver a comprehensive solution on a fixed price basis within very tight deadlines" said Warwick Brady, Deputy Director of Flight Operations for Ryanair.

Ryanair also plans to use TopClass Learning Management System (LMS) to manage and record all its CBT training and e-learning programmes for off-site training, and also to track individuals and groups, update student records automatically, create a course catalogue and record and analyse evaluations.

"The delivery of this mission critical solution to Ryanair endorses TopClass as the leading solution for regulatory training delivery, tracking and reporting” said Declan Kelly, CEO of WBT Systems. “Our rapid delivery to agressive deadlines within budget also underlines the strength of our QuickValue rapid implementation methodology. We are also delighted to be associated with such a dynamic and high profile customer".

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