At 09:16 PM 11/21/96 -0300, you raised an interesting question: How do you
deal with senior pilots who do not paticipate in safety seminars and
training. To give real meaning to your question, you also gave an example
of a B-707 CFIT accident involving a chief/instructor pilot.
Speaking in general terms (since I don't know your situation or the example
you cite), please let me make two points that I think partially address your
question.
It's a good idea to look first at the organization. Accident prevention
must be a stated goal, and the organization, large or small, must actively
support safety programs and initiatives if this safety commitment is to be
seen as genuine. No amount of program design, development or implementation
can be fully effective without management support.
Structurally, the position of Aviation Safety Officer (or Director of
Safety) is visible evidence of this commitment. Ideally the person that
performs this function reports independently to high level management.
Attendance becomes SOP, but it is more important that people at all levels
want to participate because of the organization's spirit of commitment.
Next, I'd look at the individual. It is easy to fault the senior pilot who
uses his position of authority or influence to evade what he perceives to be
less important duties. But this attitude may exist as a result of
inadequate leadership and management training over time. Organizations tend
to elevate the person who charges ahead, develops skills, and generally
achieves results due to independent effort and initiative. Within a system
such as this, the pilot has become accustomed to setting his own priorities,
and has been rewarded for it. If we expect and demand different behavior we
need to work at achieving it.
Safety requires individual commitment and initiative. A few won't ever get
it or do it. Others will in any organization. But this personal effort is
most likely in a supporting environment that espouses clear values and goals.
There are many other issues, but that's how I would begin to look at the
queation you raised.
Respectfully, Bob Jenney
______________________________________
Aviation Safety Connection
http://www.aviation.org
Robert M. Jenney, Director
28 Columbia Road, Marblehead, MA 01945
rmj_at_aviation.org, 617-639-1313