Re: ASRS
Donald A. Talleur (dtalleur_at_uiuc.edu)
Mon, 28 Jul 1997 13:48:38 -0500
Vince,
Very interesting issues surrounding effectively running an ASRS
type system for the military. Let me respond with a couple of general
statements. First, the ASRS system received a disproportionate sampling of
reports from commercial and general aviation. You mention commercial
aspects only. General aviation aircraft movements and subsequent
violations, incidents, and accidents far exceeds that of commercial
aviation. ASRS does not fairly represent the general aviation population of
"incidents". THe issue? Well, I suspect that one can get away with quite
alot in general aviation flying than in commercial flying. All commercial
flying is controlled (on IFR flight plans) so very little goes
unscruntinized or unseen. There is incentive for these folks to report;
their job could be at stake. What goes on in G.A. flying is a different
story for the most part. Speaking from experience: If I momentarily bust
class B airspace am I going to fill out an ASRS report? Legally I should to
keep from getting violated by the FAA. The simple fact is that ATC does not
go after stuff like this on a normal basis. It would be similar to a Cop
giving you a speeding ticket for going 1 mile over the speed limit. I know
this and so does most other pilot's. This doesn't mean that I want to go
and test the FAA's resolve. However, the FAA's low prosecution rate on most
types of violations (expect for criminal acts) means that most pilots
aren't going to bother with the paperwork unless ATC mentioned the
regulation infraction to them at the time.
Ok so what does all this mean? Well, we need to consider the
shortcomings of the ASRS system when patterning a new system for the
military. The NAVY uses some kind of incentive to submit reports and
subsequentely publishes the magazine "Approach". Other military services do
similar things. The stuff that I read about in Approach would, in most
cases, mean the end of a commercial pilot's career. Yet the pilot(s) (if
they all lived) still seem to be flying in the military after some hair
raising incidents. So, something is definitely different in the service.
The type of operations may be the main difference. Experience level may
also be of concern. It seems that the organizational structure is enough
different in the military that we shouldn't look to a system like ASRS to
be effective.
My solution: I don't have one! But I do feel reasonably sure that
the ASRS system is particulary suited to it current environment and has
little to offer the military.