Master and Commander

An approach to safety of dont have an accident and always effectively weight risks doesnt work because we dont take actions we think will cause accidents. Tom Turner recently presented a Wings seminar, Stop Teaching About Safety, covering this. Safetys an integral outcome, not a separate goal. Instead, he suggested approaching flying as its master and commander: The result will be safety. While being master and commander will work for all pilots, the instrument environment presents unique challenges to achieving that goal.

jmiller

Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Traditional safety approaches are insufficient because human factors, emotions, and external pressures often compromise pilots' risk assessment and decision-making.
A more effective safety strategy involves pilots embracing the role of "master" by achieving deep proficiency in aircraft systems, weather interpretation, and operational procedures.
Pilots must also act as "commander" by exercising authority, developing clear plans, maintaining situational awareness, and assertively communicating needs, especially in complex instrument flight conditions and interactions with air traffic control.

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When my young son perches precariously on the edge of a stool, I admonish him to sit correctly before he falls. “I won’t fall,” he responds. “You won’t until you will,” I say.

Ask any pilot before the take off if the end will be a crash, and obviously the answer will be an emphatic, “No.” Yet, some do crash. People don’t make choices that they know will result in undesired outcomes.