Originally Posted by
Centaurus
This is the very mumbo-jumbo that causes eye lids to grow heavy in CRM lectures. It is meaningless monotonous and colourless.
"Training individuals to think, think about their own thinking, and maintain a questioning attitude (open mind)."
Centaurus, my point was that CRM training should be biased towards these topics, not that they should be taught in a mumbo-jumbo, meaningless, monotonous and colourless manner; nor necessarily restricted to the classroom.
Training for these topics (education), will depend on the skill of the instructor in conveying the appropriate message; or even more open minded, aspects of these topics should be embodied in everyday operations through self commitment – continuously improving personal performance.
Helping pilots ‘to think’ may only require a reminder of the essentials as indicated in
‘Basic Thinking Tools’ .
Some aspects of thinking – situation awareness, planning ahead, and visualisation, could be further developed with the determined use of structured flight briefings. We have to avoid the habit of using a ‘standard brief’ (or briefing by rote) by concentrating on, or identifying the differences in each situation – no takeoff or landing is the same. Check what is important and understand why, then brief what precautions are to be taken – experience can be gained even if the actions are not required.
Improve junior pilots experience by letting them brief more often. Memory is enhanced by the process of assembling information; ‘junior briefs’ also aid overall safety as the more experience pilot is the monitor who should be more able to identify error.
Crews should debrief for similar reasons, but time pressures often make this difficult, thus individuals must be encouraged to self-debrief. Self reflection is a powerful learning tool and if error is recognised it adds experience and may (re)shape attitudes. Most people have difficulty in discussing error, we tend to shroud ourselves in ‘a cloak of invisibility’ - 'it wasn’t me … I did not do that’. The learning value comes from recognising (understanding) the origins of error which more often are in the situation and not with the individual. Where organisation (system) weaknesses – error provoking situations are identified, they must be reported (in confidence if necessary).
I agree with your comment in the adjacent thread ‘CRM practical exercises’
please not more of this nonsense - the soft social skills, team building, leadership, etc.
These topics have been overplayed (because they are easier to teach than thinking?)
A recent FSF safety symposium identified the following human factors threats to safety (my interpretation): complacency – violation, risk assessment, and interaction with technology (automation). Thus our safety training should focus on these.
Avoiding complacency and violation involves self discipline, knowledge of risk, but also having an organisational attitude of not tolerating rule breaking (not necessarily the same as SOPs). This is an area for Captains to lead by example as well as help train other crewmembers on every flight.
Risk assessment depends on understanding (perception), and knowledge (experience). Then there are more deep seated issues of habit and belief (bad habit, false belief) much of which originates from training or experience on previous types, and are very difficult to change.
As for technology, some of the most important items are those which affect the subconscious (skill level) - something that enables insight - the sudden ‘oh that’s obvious’. Why do crews demand the latest technology – warning systems, etc, then when warnings are given i.e. EGPWS, ACAS, fail to act or react inappropriately.
Incorrectly taught these topics could be mumbo jumbo, but with education, self application, and organisational resolve they could be lifesavers.
Perhaps a little more thought by the CRM training fraternity might see that biasing CRM training more toward ‘thinking about our thinking’ is an ‘obvious’ requirement.