THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has adopted a competency-based approach to training and assessing aviation personnel, moving the sector away from hours-based instruction toward a system that measures actual performance.
The regulator formally launched its Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) Framework on Tuesday, ahead of an anticipated global mandate from the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) expected to take effect within the next two years.
Caap Director General Raul L. del Rosario signed a memorandum circular prescribing an interim policy governing its implementation across the civil aviation system.
The framework covers Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders and Approved Training Organizations (ATOs), positioning the local aviation industry to comply early with ICAO’s forthcoming CBTA requirement.
‘We are building a future where Philippine aviation professionals are recognized not only for meeting international standards but also for helping define them. Through CBTA, we are preparing a generation of Filipino aviators who are competent, resilient, globally competitive, and ready for whatever lies ahead,’ said Caap Deputy Director General for Operations Rozzano Briguez.
CBTA departs from the traditional model of completing prescribed training hours.
Instead, aviation personnel will be assessed on whether they can consistently demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to perform safely and effectively in real-world operational environments, in line with internationally recognized standards.
To ease the transition, Caap will roll out a hybrid implementation model that blends the existing Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC) system with Icao’s competency-based assessment framework, allowing stakeholders to gradually shift to the new methodology without disrupting operations or regulatory compliance.