Some of our Clients   Roll the mouse over the logos for a description of some of our clients and sample projects (further information and selected publications are available in the Library)     Aerosystems International Association of Train Operating Companies British Nuclear Fuels British Psychological Society     Cobham Fluid Systems Defence Equipment and Support Department for Transport Great North Eastern Railway     Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service Mubadala Development Company Network Enabled Capability Programme NITEWorks     Rail Safety and Standards Board Serco Shipley Southern Railway

Aerosystems International has established a prominent reputation in the global aerospace and defence communities for creating innovative products and services. The company’s expertise is focused in the areas of Network Enabled Capability, Command and Control, Sustainment and Mission Support. The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is an unincorporated association owned by its members. It was set up by the train operators formed during privatisation of the railways under the Railways Act 1993.

Its principal activities are:

- Facilitation, to help members work together to meet their obligations and to promote the use of passenger services.

- Assisting members to co-operate on developing products and managing projects that benefit passengers, to promote the advantages of the rail network, and to share best practice.

- Communicating with government, public bodies, European institutions and other authorities, the media also to and from third parties, including other transport operators.

- Providing information through printed and electronic materials, conferences, meetings and seminars on passenger rail industry issues and to collect, analyse and circulate relevant data.

ATOC joint-funded research conducted by Air Affairs to investigate train driver competence and assessment requirements. British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) is the holding company for Sellafield Ltd (which includes Capenhurst and Calder Hall sites), British Nuclear Group Project Services and Nexia Solutions. It provides the overriding strategic guidance and corporate governance for the BNFL Group.

BNFL’s activities cover nuclear site decommissioning and clean-up as well as technology services and solutions across the nuclear fuel cycle.

BNFL employs around 11,000 people.

Air Affairs investigated the requirements for Plant Safety Case training across BNFL, and working with a sub-contracted multimedia company, developed interactive training and assessment materials for delivery to several thousand BNFL staff and contractors. The British Psychological Society is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. It is not a trade union but is a registered charity in the United Kingdom. The Society was formed in 1901 and has more than 45,000 members. Through its Royal Charter, the Society is charged with overseeing psychology and psychologists. It has responsibility for the development, promotion and application of pure and applied psychology for the public good. Air Affairs conducted a modified TNA to support Cobham Fluid Systems Ltd in the development of a Computer Based Training (CBT) package required to support Bilge Water Separator System (BWSS) training, on behalf of the MoD\’s Marine Environment Survivability and Habitability (MESH) Integrated Project Team.

The TNA included an analysis of the individual operational training requirement (including performance, conditions and standards) for Royal Navy (RN) personnel, who are responsible for the operation and maintenance of BWSS fitted to the Type 23 Frigate and for those RN personnel who may require an awareness of the BWSS. The project also included the conduct of a Difficulty, Importance and Frequency (DIF) analysis, Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) analysis and a Fidelity analysis. The study confirmed the suitability of CBT to support the identified training gap, which was entirely knowledge-based. Following the completion of the TNA, the study team supported the development of the CBT courseware, by designing appropriate multiple choice questions to assess the learning achievement of the trainees. Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) was officially formed on 1st April 2007 from the merger of the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) and the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO). DE&S headquarters are based in Bristol and currently employs approximately 29,000 staff at bases across the UK.

DE&S equips and supports the UK\'s armed forces for current and future operations. It acquires and supports through-life, including disposal, equipment and services ranging from ships, aircraft, vehicles and weapons, to electronic systems and information systems.

Air Affairs provides support to many DE&S projects and Integrated Project Teams (including JBTSE, FsAST, UKMFTS, JSENS), both directly and through consortia or sub-contract relationships. The Department for Transport\'s aim is a transport system which balances the needs of the economy, the environment and society.

Good Practice in Pre-Driver Education

According to Government statistics, the peak age for driver fatalities is between 20 and 24. The vulnerability of young drivers is often attributed to their driving inexperience, combined with inappropriate behaviours and attitudes, which result in unsafe driving practices. DfT commissioned Air Affairs to conduct research to investigate good practice in pre-driver education.

Phase 1 of the study has involved:

- A critical literature review to inform the development of a good practice guide to the selection of pre-driver training and education.

- A detailed survey of national and international provision of pre-driver education.

- The development of performance indicators to guide the selection of pre-driver training and education interventions.

- Specification of reliable and valid methods for assessing the effectiveness of pre-driver education programmes. Great North Eastern Railway (GNER), a British train operating company, owned by Sea Containers Ltd, was until December 2007 the UK rail franchise holder for the East Coast Main Line. Most of their services ran between London King\'s Cross and either Scotland\’s Edinburgh Waverley or Leeds.

The franchise was surrendered in 2006, and has since been awarded to National Express, who took over operations from GNER in December 2007.

Air Affairs has conducted studies for GNER to describe the tasks performed by their train drivers and depot shunting teams, the standards to be attained, and the supporting knowledge, skills and attitudes requiring training. This information was used to revise GNER training for these safety critical roles. The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory service covering the county of Merseyside in north-west England. It is responsible for all emergency fire brigade calls in Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Liverpool and Wirral.

The authority covers an area of 653 square kilometres and population of 1.4 million. It employs approximately 1800 staff at a number of administrative centres and at 26 community fire stations, which house 42 fire engines. Mubadala Development Company is a strategic investment and development company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Mubadala\'s mission is to create and maximize long-term returns as an engaged investor in high performing businesses and promising new ventures that will benefit partners, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its people.

The company is a principal investor in, and manager of, large-scale industry-leading ventures with significant interests in energy, heavy industry, telecommunications, infrastructure and aerospace.

Air Affairs has been working with Mubadala since 2005 to firstly define the requirements, training and media needed for a new Abu Dhabi-based aviation training centre (Shaheen), then to specify the technical competences and organisational maturity required by bidders for the service. We are now helping Mubadala to conduct a tender evaluation process to select a preferred bidder for the service. Network Enabled Capability (NEC) is the UK MoD\’s intent to achieve enhanced military effect through coherent integration of sensors, decision-makers, effectors and support capabilities. Related projects include:

Information Exploitation (IX) Competencies Study Air Affairs was commissioned by the UK MoD Directorate of Command Battlespace Management (DCBM), to undertake work within the NEC People and Training Campaign. A core task was the development of a competency framework describing those competencies associated with the effective acquisition and retention of Shared Situation Awareness, joint decision making and collaborative planning.

Project Listener Air Affairs provided support to the Joint Sensor & Engagement Networks (JSENS) Integrated Project Team through the conduct of an intensive TNA scoping exercise for Project Listener, a network-based ISTAR programme. This involved a tri-service, systematic investigation into functional, logistical, resourcing and security issues. A human factors risk assessment was also conducted to inform downstream activities.

NEC for Close Combat As part of the Team REACH consortium, Air Affairs is a HFI point of contact for the MoD’s NEC for Close Combat (NEC4CC) Research Programme. NITEworks was formally established in July 2003 to support MOD\'s delivery of Network Enabled Capability (NEC) and to generate sound evidence for change in order to accelerate improved military capability. Using a range of experimentation tools NITEworks examines NEC integration issues, identifies candidate solutions, undertakes experimentation to validate the solutions, and then delivers evidenced options that will improve operational capability across the Defence Lines of Development.

Air Affairs has provided specialist human factors observer and analysis support to NITEworks experiments that have been specifically designed to assess issues relating to the deployment of future land component formations within the future NEC arena. Factors examined by our staff have included information management processes and techniques, shared situation awareness and decision making processes. The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) was established in April 2003, implementing one of the core sets of recommendations from the second part of Lord Cullen\’s public inquiry into the Ladbroke Grove accident.

The Company\’s primary objective is to lead and facilitate the railway industry\’s work to achieve continuous improvement in the health and safety performance of the railways in Great Britain, and thus to facilitate the reduction of risk to passengers, employees and the affected public.

Air Affairs has conducted several projects for RSSB, including updating the Railway Group Standard for Train Drivers (GO/RT3251), an investigation into driver route knowledge and situation awareness requirements, research into competence deterioration and refresher training needs, and analysis of train driver competence and training needs. Serco is an international service company which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos. Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner with a solid track-record of providing assured service excellence. Its people offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aerospace, defence, education, health, home affairs, local government, science, technology, transport and the commercial sectors. Shipley Limited has provided specialist business development training and consulting services to the Defence, IT, Telecoms, Construction and Rail sectors since 1997. The wider Shipley Group has offices in the UK, Germany, USA, India and Australia. Southern provides rail services in South London and between central London and the South Coast, through East and West Sussex and Surrey, and parts of Kent and Hampshire. Last year it carried 120 million passengers. Southern\'s 3,500 staff manage 160 stations and operate and maintain a fleet of 300 trains.

Air Affairs was commissioned by Southern to conduct a task analysis, workload and risk analyses for members of their depot staff. Results of this work have been used to revise Southern\'s training and working practices, and have resulted in a measurable improvement in performance and safety.