King Schools recently released a Crew Resource Management (CRM) Course online. And if you think CRM seems like a big word that only applies to pilots flying complex jets, think again. This course may help you not only during your hundred-dollar-hamburger flights, but also at home.
During the development of the CRM course, John and Martha King used much of their own extensive experience flying airplanes that require a crew of two, with the added stress of being a married couple. They also studied the interaction of other crews, with and without CRM training.
At a press conference at Sun ‘n Fun, John King explained that “the second pilot flying needs to know how to make a contribution that results in an increase in safety, not a fight in the cockpit.” He explained that the word “Captain” helps create a respectful, positive environment in the cockpit. “When you say to someone: “Captain,” you’re saying “I understand that you’re in charge of this, I understand that you are pilot in command, but here’s some information that I would like to give you.”
The main focus of the CRM course is to create effective communication between the pilot and what the Kings call the “second pilot flying” that helps decrease risk rather than increase stress. The course contains “concrete practical tools that people can use,” said Martha King. You’ll find answers to questions such as “How do you communicate?” “What do you say?” and “When do you say it?”
In addition to learning effective communication, the course explains how CRM can help you with decision making, situational awareness, managing your workload, and how to deal with fatigue and stress.
While this course should prove to be useful to all pilots who fly as a team, it will become particularly helpful to pilots flying under 135 rules. FAR 135.330 mandates that all pilots and flight attendants must complete CRM training before March 22, 2013. And King Schools says the new course satisfies the requirements under the new regulations.
King Schools’ Crew Resource Management Course is compatible with Windows and Mac computers and the iPad. It is available online for $199.
