Course Design Document
National Park Service
M3 – Aviation Safety for Managers
National Park Service
Branch of Aviation
Kathy Komatz
September 2010
Problem Analysis
Introduction
In 2006 the standard interagency M3 – Aviation Safety for Managers was created to raise the
awareness of federal agency supervisors and managers of their responsibilities to agency
employees utilizing aviation resources and to familiarize them with aviation policy, risk
management and safety. The National Park Service (NPS) aviation program is considerably
more complex than those of the other federal agencies and it has been recognized that the
scope of the M3 training needs to be expanded to address these unique aviation situations.
The original M3 training module has only been utilized by approximately 10% of NPS line
managers (superintendents, chief rangers, etc.). An informal initial survey has revealed that
many managers did not know that they had aviation responsibilities mostly due to not directly
interacting with their park aviation programs. Managers admitted to deferring to the employees
with operational aviation experience. Most feel that they do not have the time to sit in a 4 hour
class or do not have the aviation trainers available to do the class in person, and that aviation is
a low priority given their current work load.
Through informal inquiry, many managers would take the training if it was offered in smaller
chunks of time such as by chapter, it was online, and that the training was quality and relevant
to them.
Problem Statement
Approximately 90% of the NPS line officers lack basic awareness of their parks’ aviation
activities. Without proper training these managers cannot know if they are operating within the
boundaries of policy or if their park aviation program is operating safely. Line managers sign off
on all park aviation safety and operating plans often without reading them. Without an
awareness of aviation management, the people involved in the program are at great risk of
problems arising from lack of informed supervision. Though M3 training is mandated,
compliance has been minimal. (See appendix 1: OPM 4 for policy on required training).
ACTUALS PROBLEM (GAP) OPTIMALS
All NPS line officers aware of
their responsibilities regarding
Approximately 10% of NPS NPS managers lack sufficient aviation.
line managers have needed aviation safety awareness.
basic aviation safety
awareness. Training is received is a
Though required, the training Minimal compliance with manner that is effective and
is not being received. mandated training user-friendly
Instructional Goal Statement
After successfully completing NPS M3 training, the learners will understand their responsibilities
managing aviation activities in their park. They will know if safety plans have been written and
approved, be aware of the policy and where to access policy resources, be aware of the basic
safety questions that must be asked, be familiar with where to find answers to their questions
and have an increased awareness of the aviation activities that occur in their park.
NPS managers will be guided through a learning process that should allow them to apply and
evaluate (from Gagne’s Category of Learning) the management components of their parks’
aviation program.
Instructional Environment
It is thought that the web is an appropriate delivery system for NPS M3. Because the content of
the class is an interaction with policy and not people, web delivery would seem to offer what is
needed:
Quick access to the training needed
Travel to a training site is not necessary thus saving time and money
Allows the learners to learn in segments eliminating the need to commit a large chuck of
time to the training
Instructional Context
This training is expected to be accessed by park line managers from their office computers. All
NPS employees are given the same computer with the same capabilities, security settings, and
software. Additionally, many park offices have only dial-up access to the internet. The training
will be designed to accommodate these limitations.
Technical Support
The NPS M3 web-based training will reside on the Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) website.
All interagency aviation training is located on this website. All technical support will be provided
by the IAT staff already in place.
Personnel assigned to the NPS M3 WBI project
Instructional Design – Kathy Komatz, NPS Branch of Aviation
SME – Shad Sitz, NPS Branch of Aviation Manager
The Learners
NPS supervisors, line officers and managers are the audience for NPS M3. This group of
professionals tends to be highly educated and skilled with common office technology. To get to
the rank of NPS line officer, they will have spent a considerable amount of time in the National
Park Service and will be very familiar with standard government training styles such as web
based classes.
The informal survey revealed that most of this group is self-motivated and open to learning if the
material is relevant to their job. Most are very motivated to understand what they are
responsible for. All felt like there was never enough time to get everything done forcing them to
be very practical in their time management.
A majority of park line officers rise through the ranks of Law Enforcement. Aviation in the
National Park Service tends to be centered in the wildland fire and resource divisions. Though
fire is a part of the Protection Division as is Law Enforcement, there is very little interaction
between the two leading to career Law Enforcement officers with little to no aviation experience.
Appendix 1 – OPM 4
B. Mandatory Training for Personnel with Aviation Management Responsibilities.
Those individuals having management or supervisory oversight responsibilities for programs
using aviation resources for mission accomplishment, aviation personnel, flight activities, etc., fit
within this broad category. Individuals that have aviation duties/responsibilities that are identified
in more than one position in the matrix (i.e. Supervisor and Aviation Manager) must take the
required training for all positions that apply.
(1) Supervisory Personnel. Those who supervise employees who use aircraft to accomplish
bureau programs.
- Objective. Knowledge required includes aviation safety, policy, risk management, and
supervisory responsibilities. Must initially attend the B-3 Basic Aviation Safety and the DOI
Aviation Management, Aviation Management for Supervisors (M-3) training courses.
Additionally, Supervisors must attend the M-3 training or the following Interagency Aviation
Training program modules every 3 years:
- A-107 Aviation Policy & Regulations I
- A-201 Overview of Safety & Accident Prevention Program
- A-205 Risk Awareness
- A-302 Personal Responsibility & Liability
- A-303 Human Factors in Aviation
- A-305 Risk Management
- A-307 Aviation Policy & Regulations II
(2) Line Managers. Those who are responsible and accountable for using aviation resources to
accomplish bureau programs.
- Objective. Knowledge required includes familiarization with the DOI aviation management
program, policies and related requirements and responsibilities. Must attend the DOI Aviation
Management, Aviation Management Training for Supervisors (M-3) training course or attend the
DOI Aviation Management Line Managers Briefing (M-2) course every 3 years.