Re: Attention focus
Jetjoc2 (Jetjoc2_at_aol.com)
Thu, 16 Apr 1998 19:10:23 EDT
Dick,
An excellent topic that you have chosen.
In this day of increasing development of the more automated cockpit,the task
of teaching attention is one that is in need of good instruction. It surely is
an area in which alot of human factor development could be invested with a
great deal of return for the good of all.
I think that if we go back to the basic elements of CRM, we can find a
baseline to operate from in our cockpit management system. The use of team
building, effective briefing of the captain to his crew, and communication of
the decisions to be made.
Focus of task seems to be more effective if both crewmembers are functioning
off of the same page, the captain being effective in communicating his or her
expectations, and the communication of his decisions, after a discussion with
his or her crew, as to how the decision vs the expected outcome will play. The
captain should have established a cockpit environment that allows the
uninterupted input of the entire crews assesment of the situation. When all of
these elements are presented, then a baseline can be established as to the
focus of the individual is directed to the task at hand and as to the
successful outcome.
Outside stress triggers, such as physiological,emotional, and physical factors
come into play as well. Are there unseen concerns at home, is there a
personality conflict in the cockpit, are there work related concerns.
In teaching the concept of focus, perhaps we should strive to teach our
students and crewmembers techniques that will alert them to the loss of
situational awareness and in bringing the crewmember back on task.
In an air carrier or corporate flightdeck,perhaps refining the art of
delegation of duties would be in order, to assure that both crewmembers are
working toward the same result of the problem solving effort.
In the United Airlines Portland Accident and the EA401 accident, it would
appear that the crewmembers were "focused" on the gear problem to the point of
not realizing there were other things starting to fall apart. We need to
remember, there is a fine line between focus and fixation and our crews and
students need to be aware of the danger signals that can lure them into the
everglades.
Assigning normal tasks in the simulator and introducing the gremlins that
would require the crew or the student to identify the problem, devise a
workable solution, and learn to delegate assignments for a successful
connclusion, might be an avenue to explore. In addition to that, give them the
skills needed to realize when the situation is going to pieces and advocate
accordingly..
Granted, these are not new concepts, however, perhaps we need to blow the dust
off of the old basics of CRM, throw in a touch of human factors in looking at
the person and why is he or she performing in the manner they are, and fine
tune interpersonal skills.
Thank you..
All the Best,
W. R. Greenwald/ EJA