Back in 1975 a Bristow S61 lifted off from the Beryl platform (SE of Shetland) with the intention of joining the 110 radial inbound to Sumburgh. Unfortunately, the pilot had a brain-fart and turned on to the 110 radial. Neither pilot recognised their error until the radar revealed an unrecognised coastline. They just made it to Bergen.
This confirms a propensity of human beings - to make mistakes and not realise it until it's too late. This wasn't a unique event, Ireland wasn't a unique event. Such mistakes are likely to continue but that should not prevent us trying to instil appropriate SOP's via quality training - in FSTD's of course. The need for regular effective renewal of skills was a subject I presented at an RAeS conference a while back (
Automation ? Will Evidence Based Training Deliver a More Competent Helicopter Pilot? ? Sim Trainer). The notion that recurrent training is like an annual 'inoculation' and that mere attendance will insulate the crew against errors is an indication that the point has been missed. A six-month recurrent programme is the minimum to be effective and a three-month cycle would be better.
As FSTD's become more common and more available I would hope that we introduce more effective recurrent programmes that focus on RAISING standards not just maintaining them.
G.