To Become a Better Pilot, Master the Top Gun Debrief

New technology helps, but pilots and instructors should take the postflight feedback process seriously.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 09:11 AM ET

Verified

Lt. Col. Geffrey Gebhardt, assigned to the 149th Fighter Wing, Air National Guard, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackand, briefs student pilots 1st Lt. Patrick Mudd and Maj. Dave Carlo at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. [Courtesy: Joint Base San Antonio]

Key Takeaways:

Post-flight debriefs are critical for continuous pilot development and safety, with modern technology like American Airlines' CEFA AMS enhancing objectivity and self-improvement by providing virtual access to flight data.
Effective debriefs, historically proven successful by programs like Top Gun, are data-driven, collaborative, and empower pilots to lead their own self-critique for rapid skill enhancement.
Implementing successful debriefs requires building trust, giving feedback with positive intent, and following structured methods like the FAA's 4-R process (replay, reconstruct, reflect, redirect) to achieve precise performance analysis and ongoing development.

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In December 2021, American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL) adopted a new electronic flight bag tool, CEFA AMS, that would allow more than 15,000 pilots to review flight data virtually on their tablets after landing. It’s another example of how technology can augment flying and empower pilots with more objective tools.

“This progressive new debriefing capability will help promote a culture of continuous self-improvement and reinforce American’s safety-first mentality into every flight,” said Captain Neil Raaz, operations safety director at American Airlines, at the time in a statement.