Primary Flight Training Instructor/Student Interaction

ANDREW NEWMAN (mnewman_at_delrio.com)
Tue, 21 Jan 1997 22:00:01 -0400


Thanks to everyone for the great input about video production and cultural
deference, now I feel we have direction. Another topic I would like to
discuss came from an issue raised by some T-37 instructors (USAF primary
flight trainer) when they were notified all instructors must now undergo
CRM skills training (which I am part of the development). Some of the
questions I received include: "How can I possibly include the student as a
crewmember if he/she doesn't know how to fly a jet yet?", "That CRM stuff
is just for pilots who are experienced, how can we possibly use it at this
level?", "We must retain the image that the instructor is absolute
authority and all-knowing, won't CRM practices make the student a nag and
and threaten our authority?"

I made their comments "G" rated by the way. The challenge, as I see it, is
that CRM is being placed in an organizational culture that is as old as
military flight training. And I think CRM's has a place here. However, as
I build the courseware, what is the best way to train the instructors to
deal with a new student? Keep in mind some students' book knowledge rivals
the instructors and many do not, at least in the beginning of the program.
I am hoping that by teaching the instructors via a CRM skills program they
will be well enough equipped to go and teach the skills one on one to the
student as the student grows in situational awareness and skill (the
students do get a very general course in CRM but it is not skills
oriented). What I am afraid of is the massive challenge of the necessary
paradigm shift from the old days (present day?) of "I am the instructor and
I am right", to "yes, we must have a productive learning environment but I
value the part you play in the management of human error." Has anyone
approached CRM at this early level of pilot training? Thanks, Andy Newman