We were taught early in our fl ight training the importance of maintaining an awareness of what is happening now, what is supposed to occur in the future, and where the helicopter is in three-dimensional space. If things are not going as planned, it’s time to immediately question why and begin to take measures to make things right. A single pilot, like multi-crew, should monitor and evaluate both the big picture as well as keep an eye on smaller details. It’s important to remember that knowing and understanding the current state of aff airs simply keeps you up with the aircraft; it doesn’t put you ahead of the aircraft … and ahead is where you mentally want to be. NASA also discovered in its accident investigations something they term the Situational
Awareness Paradox: less
serious malfunctions appear more likely to cause loss of SA than do more serious malfunctions. As a single pilot you should keep in mind the SA paradox when you become focused on a minor detail or a small problem while fl ying that can easily wait until you can devote your full attention to it. Consider any small distraction a red fl ag that can potentially hurt you by taking your attention off the big picture. The anecdote for maintaining SA is easy—unwavering vigilance.
Ensure you
are continually maintaining an updated and accurate mental picture of what is happening around you. Question yourself. If you experience any of NASA’s seven common factors or the nine cues listed above, your situational awareness may not be what it seems.
Hopefully you will never be in a position
to “Land the Damn Helicopter,” as Matt Zuccaro suggests. By putting into practice CRM skills, you can help avoid threats to the safety of your fl ight, thus breaking a possible link in an error chain before threats becomes errors. CRM is a religion in the airlines because
airline management and fl ight crews know it works. It is signifi cant that as of March 22, 2013, the FAA made it mandatory that all Part 135 helicopter operators must have yearly CRM training. Why? Because they know the power CRM has to reduce accidents.
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“A superior pilot uses his superior judgment to avoid situations requiring his superior skill.”
That famous quote is the very
defi nition of good CRM. When our industry fully buys into the concept that it’s the head, not the hands, that typically saves the day, I predict we will see a signifi cant reduction in helicopter accidents.
Safe Flying!
Randy Mains is an author, public speaker, and a CRM/AMRM consultant who works in the helicopter industry after a long career of aviation adventure. He currently serves as chief CRM/AMRM instructor for Oregon Areo.
He may be contacted at:
randym@oregonareo.com
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