General business continuity

What measures has JAA Training Organisations (JAA TO) taken in response to the developments around COVID-19?

After careful deliberation, JAA TO followed the univocally recommended public health measures directed by the Dutch Ministry of Health and paused all educational activities temporarily at physical location as means of practicing social distancing. More globally, JAA TO is closely monitoring the developments around COVID-19 advising all its stakeholders to follow recommendations communicated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). With the safety and health of its stakeholders in mind, JAA TO is advocating to take proper health measures, follow legitimate information outlets and act socially responsible.

Are the JAA TO headquarters open for business and classroom training?

Yes. In line with recommendations by the Dutch government, the JAA TO headquarters at Schiphol-Rijk are open. Since September 2021, classroom training is open for registration again and trainees can participate in courses physically. When registered for a classroom course in the Netherlands, please make yourself familiar with the Dutch travel measures. It is the trainee's responsibility to check whether travel limitations apply that could affect attendance. For more questions contact our Training Department.

Is it possible to travel to the Netherlands to participate in a training course? 

Travel to the Netherlands to participate in a JAA TO classroom course is generally possible although limitations may apply. For latest travel measures check the website of the Dutch government as requirements may change on short notice.

Along with Dutch national travel requirements, the JAA TO is asking each visitor to fill out a Health Declaration Form (HDF) prior to arrival at the facility.

How can I contact JAA TO when I have questions?

All necessary contact information is available via our website. For updated information and questions please consult the Q&A, the special COVID-19 Update page, and our Social Media channels. JAA TO staff is fully operational. JAA TO staff is working diligently to contact you as soon as possible. As rule of thumb: for general updates and course schedules follow JAA TO digital channels; for questions regarding training courses and registrations send an email and JAA TO representatives contact you back (phone/mail).

Course Registrations / Postponement

Where can I find newly scheduled classroom courses?

With reopening, the training course calendar has been adjusted and selected classroom courses are now available and open for registration. Classroom courses can be found through the search function or calendar grid on this website. Due to COVID-19 measures, capacity of classrooms and number of trainees per class are limited, thus not the full portfolio is available as classroom option.

More eligible courses during this period will be delivered virtually. JAA TO is expanding this possibility to a range of courses, providing trainees with a flexible alternative to participate in training. Virtual courses can be found through the search function or calendar grid on this website.

I want to cancel my course registration do I get a refund?

For classroom courses and virtual courses same Terms & Conditions apply. When changing registration from classroom to virtual delivery or registering for a virtual course an additional disclaimer will be provided regarding agreement to join a virtual course through the training platform. The disclaimer will be provided upon registration completion through JAA TO representatives.

I want to transfer my current classroom registration to a later date in the year. What should I do?

If the COVID-19 situation has changed such that the Dutch Government directive allows travel into the Netherlands and your National Authority has not issued any travel restrictions preventing travel to the Netherlands (we would require proof), our Terms and Conditions for cancellation/transfer apply.

I want to change my classroom registration to a virtual course, what should I do?

Please contact training@jaato.com to inform about your intent to change existing registrations. JAA TO representatives will contact you to inform about the status of your registration.

How do I register for a virtual course online?

Registration is possible directly via the website.

Check the latest schedule and register via the specific course description page. Your registration will be processed to the virtual course. If you have questions you can also send an email to training@jaato.com and JAA TO representatives will follow up with a registration status update. Please always check the current schedule as not all courses from our portfolio are available due to COVID-19 restrictions and the subsequently adjusted virtual training offers.

Virtual Courses

What are virtual courses?

A JAA TO virtual training course is an online training session in which the otherwise physically delivered classroom training is presented digitally, real-time, by JAA TO instructor(s). Course content and methodology remain identical.

How is JAA TO administering real-time distance learning?

JAA TO instructor(s) are advised and prepared to deliver the training course virtually. This means that attention is given to audio/video issues and interaction dynamics during the live feed. Course participants enter a virtual classroom in which the instructor is presenting the training modules. In the virtual classroom a combination of instructor live feed, slideshow presentation and interactive chat room and activities are visible. Depending on the module and dynamics in the class, the instructor can switch between all communication and engage with participants.

Will I have contact with the instructor?

Yes, the instructor will make full use of the online platform by interacting with participants, answering questions, asking questions, giving feedback, and presenting as they would normally albeit in a different environment.

How do I access the virtual classroom?

Upon registration, the participant will receive an email invitation with a link to the online environment and detailed information about the platform itself, together with the log-in details.

Do I have to download software?

There will be a link for the participant to follow. A small download may be necessary depending on the identified software for that specific virtual course. You may also be able to access the online course via web browser (no downloads or plugins); however, the web browser version has limited features and functionality is depending on the system requirements.

What equipment or tools do I need to participate in virtual courses?

Required

• A good internet connection
• A laptop, desktop (or mobile device; however, you may not experience the same quality and interaction as using a computer)
• Built-in or external webcam 
• Built-in or external microphone or headset
• The virtual classroom tool/software, if applicable

Nice-to-have

• Ability to print handouts for ease of use. You may also read from the screen and make your own notes.

Do I need to have my webcam on during the course?

Yes, it is mandatory for you to have your webcam on for the duration of the course. The instructor will communicate and interact with everyone by visual and auditory methods. Please note that the sessions will not and are not allowed to be recorded, either by JAA TO or by the course participants. It is also an account of your presence to obtain your certificate.

Will the virtual course be recorded?

Courses are not recorded due to privacy (GDPR) and Intellectual Property Rights. See Privacy Statement.

How can I receive book materials necessary for the training course?

The books (as secured PDFs), handouts and other training materials used for each training course will be sent to participants via email or online file transfer service. Although in electronic format instead of physical books, the content remains fully copyrighted intellectual property of JAA TO.

Is it still possible to take the exams?

Yes, exams are available online for virtual participants.

Will I still get a certificate?

A statement can be generated by JAA TO confirming the participant's full attendance to the training course and/or successful exam completion. These Certificates of Attendance and/or Certificates of Accomplishment will be sent electronically.

Source: WHO

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does COVID-19 spread?

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.   

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.  See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”

Can CoVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?

The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.  WHO is assessing ongoing research on the period of transmission of COVID-19 and will continue to share updated findings.   

Can I catch COVID-19 from the feces of someone with the disease?

The risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. While initial investigations suggest the virus may be present in feces in some cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.

Source: ICAO

What is ICAO’s role in the response to COVID-19?    

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a UN specialized agency, established by States in 1944 to manage the administration and governance of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention). It is responsible, inter alia, for the coordination of global agreements on standards and recommended practices in air travel. As communicable diseases can sometimes spread internationally based on international people movements facilitated by civil aviation, ICAO has worked for many years on the establishment of appropriate measures in the domain of air travel that can contain and/or detect such spread. ICAO holds an extensive body of guidance material and operates a robust regulatory framework that is currently helping Member States to deal with COVID-19.

How can I prevent infection while travelling?

The travelling public at large should practice good standard hygiene practices. Such practices include covering your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing, thoroughly and regularly washing your hands with soap and water or alcoholic hand rub. ICAO standards dictate that aircraft must be equipped with a universal precaution kit for the use of cabin crew members in managing incidents of ill health associated with a case of suspected communicable disease and that crew are suitably trained in the use of these kits. Thus, cabin crew have the tools and training necessary to ensure prevention of infection while travelling.

What should I do if I think I was on a flight with an infected person?

F​light crews are highly trained and knowledgeable about dealing with all cases of suspected infectious diseases on board a flight, including suspected cases of COVID-19. Should a traveler be suspected of harboring an infectious disease, crew will normally ensure that all passengers necessary complete a 'Passenger Locator Form'. Passengers provide their contact details therein which allows for subsequent follow-up if necessary. Standards dictate that kits containing all necessary equipment to protect all travelers are available on every plane.

Is it a good idea to travel by air given the COVID-19 outbreak?        

​Given that aircraft cabins have highly effective HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter systems that remove airborne virus particles aircraft are disinfected between flights if needed in accordance with ICAO standards the geographic spread of the virus is currently limited the current likelihood of contracting the virus while flying on flights is extremely low.

Can I protect myself and other travelers during the outbreak?        

​In order to protect others, anyone who has been exposed to the risk of COVID-19 in any way should consult with medical professionals and authorities in advance of travelling. This is the case in particular if you have recently travelled to badly-affected areas and/or have had contact with someone who has been diagnosed as being infected with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.

Where can I find further information on COVID-19? 

The World Health Organization provides reference material on COVID-19.

What States are affected by COVID-19?        

The WHO maintain up-to-date information on global cases of COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situation Dashboard

Joint ICAO-WHO Statement on COVID-19  

https://www.icao.int/Security/COVID-19/Pages/Statements.aspx