Re: ASRS
CLARK MORRIS (cmorris_at_dualinc.com)
Wed, 13 Aug 1997 17:02:43 -0400
Major Tony T. Kern, 472-4727 wrote:
>
> Colleagues
>
> I'd like to weigh in a bit on the Military ASRS discussion if I might.
> I have been interviewing dozens of aviators on the subject since Vince and
> I talked about it a few weeks ago and have found a somewhat solid front
> across three areas which provides new challenges, but precious few
> answers.
>
> 1. Flyers are concerned with the cultural component interfering with any
> reporting system. One comment rang true. "If any of this were in the
> public domain, we would be putting commander's careers at risk --
> therefore they won't let it happen." Ergo: Can this system be
> "semi-classified" or "privilidged" like current safety data. My guess is
> it would not survive the first subpoena if it were. I say public or not
> at all.
>
> 2. Current flyers think a military ASRS system is needed and a great
> idea. Another quote. "If the system existed, I would use it and
> hopefully role model my willingness to do so to younger pilots." If this
> attitude is pervasive, it may be easier than we think to make this work.
> Early marketing from "line swine" (I know, I know, the Chief of Staff
> prohibited that term at the same time we were ordered to stop saying
> "copilot" -- old SAC habits die hard) might be the best approach. We need
> to identify key individuals to get the ball rolling, more on this in #3.
>
> 3. The flyers I interviewed agreed and applauded the with the need for
> constant feedback from a "fair broker." Even if the sales job is done
> well, the program will live or die on its merits. Easy to read and
> understand quarterly publications might do the trick, but a slicker
> approach like the current "Callback" or "Directline" thematic approaches
> seem more likely to succeed.
>
> So who is the "fair broker?" Toughest of all questions and the single key
> to military acceptance. She/he/they will walk a tightrope between
> "telling it as it is" and "airing dirty laundry" -- one step over the line
> and an embarrassed flag officer can trash the whole effort. My
> recommendation would be a small group of active duty, Reserve, and Guard
> flyers, from a variety of flight crew positions and aircraft, who already
> have an established reputation for fairness and integrity in their
> repective career fields. They MIGHT have the blend of talents and
> sophistication to get the ball rolling without a set of crosshairs on
> their foreheads from military public affairs or a paranoid command
> structure.
>
> Just my two cents
>
> Tony
What's wrong with letting NASA do it? The incentive for AF crews to
participate is a get out of jail free card with whoever is the Military
equivalent of the FAA? Somehow I get a naive feeling here -- educate me!
Clark Morris, Dual Inc.