Flying is More than Stick and Rudder Skills - A Pilot's Guide to Crew Resource Management

This book outlines the critical skills that are required for pilots to become an effective crew member. While pilots spend many hours learning the technical and proficiency skills that are necessary to operate an aircraft with skill and precision, safety will be compromised if their Crew Resource Management (CRM) skills are lacking. Years of airline safety and accident data reveal that well-developed CRM skills are essential for flight safety, and this book will introduce the core principles that will equip each pilot to be a productive crew member. Flight safety is greatly enhanced when the pilots operate with a crew mindset. Those who actively and effectively employ these skills while they are junior will be better equipped for the day when they are given the authority to command a crew of their own. This book focuses less on the academic aspects of CRM, and more on the practical application of the skills necessary to enhance flight safety.

The specific skills that are the core ingredients of this book are discussed in a building block format called the CRM Pyramid, and much attention is given to the manner in which they are interdependent. The CRM skills upon which we will focus are:

Preparation and Proficiency

Along with flight know-how and discipline, personal preparation and the right attitude are foundational to being a top-notch crew member.

Leadership and Teamwork

Understand how crew effectiveness and flight safety are influenced by the Captain's leadership and how "attitude of command" establishes his/her leadership style. Learn the traits of those who exercise command authority in a wise and appropriate manner.

Open Communication: A Key Ingredient

Learn the basics of interpersonal communication and the factors that hinder its effectiveness. Avoid the most commoncommunication errors in aviation. Develop specific skills and tools that will equip you to manage conflict on the flight deck.

Crew Situational Awareness

Understand the critical link between effective communication and situational awareness.

Learn where and when you are most vulnerable to a loss of Situational Awareness.

Understand the essential role of Pilot Monitoring in managing threats to safety.

Effective Decision-Making - the Three Keys

Learn how time and criticality determine our approach to operational decision-making.

Understand the key differences between strategic and tactical decision-making.

Identify the areas that skew our operational risk assessment and foster poor operational decisions.