Crew Resource Management (2056 words) Essay Example For Students

Crew Resource Management (2056 words) Essay Crew Resource ManagementCrew Resource Management : The majority of aircraft accidents are caused by human error and an accident or incident is linked together by a chain of errors. Most of these accidents could have been avoided by the crew if they would have been communicating to each other better. Some common errors that occur among the crew are poor task delegation, assertiveness, and distractions. Crew training in communication and teamwork will increase the crews performance level. Programs like Crew Resource Management (CRM) have been developed to try to help the crews work together and reduce the human factor in accidents. CRM includes training in leadership/followership, assertiveness, management, communication, teamwork, decision making and task delegation. Through programs like CRM crews learn to work together as a team and when they are working together it is less likely therell be an accident. INTORDUCTION : BackgroundThe cause for most aircraft accidents (65%) are by crew error (FAA News, 1996). When the Crews performance level is low due to poor teamwork and communication this is when accidents happen. How can crew error be reduced? Even though human error cant be reduced completely through constant training and effort by the crew performance will increase and accidents will be reduced.Purpose/AudienceThis report is intended for a general audience and will show how important it is for the flight and cabin crew to work together and communicate as a team. This report will also examine the CRM program.SourcesSources have been obtained for this report from the Internet and from the Waldo Library, Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo, Michigan.ScopeTeamwork and communication are a critical factor in the crews operation of aircraft. Accidents can be prevented when these two factors are considered. COLLECTED DATA : Importance of Communication among the CrewPeople communicate to each other every day. From a kids talking to their parents abouttheir report card, to doctors working in an operating room. In order for us to understand one another we must be clear in what we say. For instance, if a doctor tells a nurse to pull a certain plug on a machine, hed better be clear on what he says or the nurse might end up harming a patient. Likewise, the cabin and flight crew must work together. In a typical cockpit the flight crew is very busy and they need to be well organized to handle the many tasks they perform. They need to communicate properly and clearly for safe operations, if they dont their actions could result in a tragedy.Main Cause of Aircraft AccidentsMechanical problems and technical malfunctions do contribute to aircraft accidents, but human error is the main cause, accounting for 65% of the accidents (FAA News, 1996). This figure is quite high, and if it were possible to reduce human error the accident rate would drop significantly. Accidents that occur because of human error are not a direct result of just one error but of a chain of errors. The human error chain results when one bad decision leads to another which leads to the accident. The question is, how can we reduce human error in the cockpit? Studies have shown that most incidents could have been prevented if communication and leadership skills were improved. Duties of Crew MembersIn order to have a clear understanding of whos involved in the crew, these positions with their duties will be discussed. There are usually 2-3 flight crew members and 1-3 flight attendants aboard an airliner. In the flight deck are the Captain, Co-pilot and flight engineer. When there are only two flight crew members theres no flight engineer. (This is to reduce costs). The Captain is the Pilot in Command (PIC). He/she has the final authority of all decisions and all responsibility rest on his/her shoulders. The Co-pilot assists the Captain in his/her duties, like calculating fuel consumptions, weight and balance, navigation etc. He/she is Second in Command (SIC). The Flight Engineer helps reduce the work load of the Captain and Co-pilot. Some of his/her duties may include fuel consumption rate, weight and balance and communicating with the cabin crew. The cabin crew consists of the Flight Attendants. Dubliners (1330 words) Essay After all they too are a part of the team.Trusting the Crews JudgmentTrusting each others judgment is a necessity. Without it, how can the crew work together? The Captain must be able to trust that his/her crew is performing their duties properly and vise/versa. Besides having authority the Captain is also the leader. He/she is the one when emergency situations arise pulls the crew together to work as a team even when they dont know each other. A true leader is willing to listen to others, be respectful and be able to take command. Crew Resource Management (CRM)A program called Crew Resource Management (CRM) has been developed to help implement this leadership, communication and decision making skills in crew members. Since the main cause of accidents is due to human error it is hoped that through CRM training crew members will communicate and work together more effectively. CRM is not required by the FAA, but it is recommended. Many airlines are having their crews go through this training and they look highly on pilots who not only posse the technical skills but also the people skills.Outline of CRM TrainingIn years past emphasis was put on the technical, stick and rudder aspects of flying. In recent years it has become evident that these skills by themselves are not enough, but that training in people skills is needed. That is what CRM is about. It provides crews training in1. Communication2. Decision making3. Assertiveness4. Leadership/Followership5. Teamwork6. Task Delegation7. ManagingCrew members going through CRM training will attend classroom instruction, watch videos and participate in role playing on these subjects (FAA- AC, 1995).LOFT TrainingBecause crews rarely work together more than once and dont have time to build a commodity, using the Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) simulator crews practice managing a cockpit with members theyve never met (Chute Wiener I,1996). This simulator is like virtual reality. Pilots sit in a cockpit where the windows are where the video screen is, all the buttons and knobs work. (Pilot has come out of these LOFT simulators sweating, because what theyve just experienced seemed so real). In LOFT crews can fly routes and have emergency situations come up, like an engine failure, deteriorating weather, and navigation problems. The benefit about LOFT is that its a simulator, theres no danger involved and yet the crew still learns (Helm Reich, 1996). Crews going through LOFT training are evaluated on how well they handled the different situations, communication with each other and task delegation. These training sessions are videotaped so the crew can debrief afterwards how well they did and what they need to change.Organize Resources and PrioritiesCrew members are not only leaders but also managers. They must be able to use their time and resources wisely. Theres only so many tasks that one person can handle and be efficient at the same time. Thats why Captains need to know when to delegate duties and when to notice that another has too many. Also, they need to prioritize, know what duties are the most important and when they need to be done. This is all part of being a leader and manager.CONCLUSIONHuman error is the main cause of aircraft accidents, and its a chain of errors that sets the accident into motion. Poor flight and cabin crew communication does exist. A program called Crew Resource Management has been developed to improve teamwork, proper task delegation, communication and trust among the crew. Interpretation of the Findings the need for crew communication is evident. When crews dont work together their performance level is low and this is when they are vulnerable to accidents. Programs like CRM are very helpful in instilling these principles and breaking the bad habits. Poor attitudes and habits cant be changed overnight. Thats why there is a need for recurrent CRM training. Communication and teamwork is the key to safe and effective operations. Theres no I in CREW but there is WE