Flight Training - July 2019 - 49

CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

HEAD IN THE GAME
SKILLS FOR SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL FLYING
BY MATTHEW J. BAUMAN

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Mission
Analysis
Situational
Awareness

Leadership
Crew
Resource
Management
Assertiveness

Communication

Decision
Making

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Adaptability/
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CREW RESOURCE MANAGEMENT'S KEY PURPOSE IS MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN ERRORS.

CRM has also been called cockpit resource management, and this set of training
procedures is finding applications in other industries such as firefighting, health care,
and maintenance fields. Although the focus is leveraging available resources through
multi-person aircrews, pilots who operate in a single-pilot environment are not alone:
They have a multitude of resources at their disposal.
The FAA provides guidelines and recommended topics for discussion for CRM
training in Advisory Circular 120-51E. Naval Air Systems Command identifies seven
critical skills:
Mission analysis. Planning is an important step for achieving any objective. Mission
analysis evaluates overall requirements for a safe flight and what resources are available. There are three stages of mission analysis: preflight planning, inflight monitoring/
updating current situation, and post-mission review.
Preflight resources include flight service, online weather tools, and airport directories such as AOPA's online tool (www.aopa.org/destinations). In flight, updated weather
along the route can be obtained from flight service and through datalink weather, if
available. A regular scan of the engine gauges can detect trends early, before a problem
fully develops. Early detection enables a pilot to make a decision from multiple and
more favorable choices instead of a few limited options.
Following the flight, a quick post-flight debrief, whether by a simple personal
review or a quick discussion with your fellow pilot or passengers, allows decompression time and a review of events. Were there any issues during the planning process or
did the planning address the goals of the flight? If applicable, did the brief or preflight
discussion address the expectations and maneuvers during the flight? Most important, did the flight occur as briefed? What happened unexpectedly? This is where any
safety of flight concerns would be addressed.
Situational awareness. Situational awareness starts during preflight planning.
Expectations are developed though determination of route, forecast weather, and
established goals. During the flight when a problem arises, pilots with good situational
awareness can better identify the source and nature of the problem or deviation. From
that point they can use the information available to better understand their situation
and, finally, develop a course of action leading to a decision.
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Flight Training - July 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - July 2019