Quote Tee Em "There is a need to approach the cultural problem associated with go-around philosophy in strong terms. The perceived shame of a go-around in Asian pilot's minds is nothing to laugh about over coffee in the crew room. It is a lethal problem that needs to be addressed all through the flying training of cadets who are trained in Australia."
Agreed. However, having worked, teaching Asians how to fly, a big part of our time with the cadets was to encourage them to 'come out of their shell' and speak up to the pilot next to them. A good practical example is, when practice IFR flying in the T/A we instructed the cadets to decend to 500ft. Most did, without question. When we asked them, "why didn't you click, that perhaps thats a little low..." they answered that they knew it didn't sound right, but didn't want to question it. This was the case that we brought up with many other cadets, saying to them that you must open your mind and think about every order, every instruction. Not only relating to ATC but to the other pilot (us included) in the cockpit too.
According to ninemsn.com, the FO spoke up to the captain and instructed him to go around. He didn't listen. As we learn in human factors, say it once more. No response, or no action... take over. It's in the interest of lives and safety.
My point is, getting our guys out of their shell, it worked and they left the college a lot more confident than when they arrived here. However, the culture is that instilled in their lives and within the airline, that the day they get into their 777's or whatever, the captain will shoot them down if they speak up, and all that work, wasted.
It's cultural, its instilled, it's virtually impossible to change.
Simple.. choose with whom you fly with...
