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Airmanship
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| Article Information | ||
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| Category: | General | 
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| Content source: | SKYbrary | 
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| Content control: | EUROCONTROL | 
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Contents |
Definition
"Airmanship is the consistent use of good judgment and well-developed skills to accomplish flight objectives. This consistency is founded on a cornerstone of uncompromising flight discipline and is developed through systematic skill acquisition and proficiency. A high state of situational awareness completes the airmanship picture and is obtained through knowledge of one’s self, aircraft, environment, team and risk." - Kern, T. (1996). Redefining airmanship. McGraw-Hill.
The Foundations of Airmanship
Knowledge
Knowledge of Aircraft
- Deep understanding of aircraft sub-systems, emergency procedures, cockpit automation, aircraft flight characteristics and operating limits.
Knowledge of Environment
- Understanding the physical environment and the effects on aircraft control.
- Understanding the regulatory environment.
- Understanding the organisational environment and the challenges posed to airmanship.
Knowledge of Risk
- Understanding the risks to discipline, skill and proficiency, knowledge, Situational Awareness, judgement, aircraft, self.
Skills
Physical Skills
- Flying skills
- Navigation skills
- Instrument flying
- Emergency handling / recovery
- Survival
Flight Deck Management Skills
- Avoiding the pitfalls of automation (over-reliance, complacency, bias)
- Information management skills
Communication Skills
- Vigilance in monitoring communications
- Using appropriate communication (phraseology, clear, concise)
- Active listening - Inquiry through communications
Cognitive Skills
- Understanding and maintaining situational awareness
- Problem solving / decision-making skills
- Understanding and managing workload
- Self-assessment
Team Skills
- Performance monitoring
- Leadership/initiative
- Interpersonal skills
- Co-ordination & decision-making
- Team communication and SA
Attitudes
Hazardous Attitudes
- Understanding the five main hazardous attitudes, the antidotes and the impact on airmanship:
| Hazardous Attitudes | |
| Hazardous Attitude | Antidote |
| Anti-Authority: "The regulations are for someone else") | "Follow the rules. They are that way for a reason." |
| Impulsivity: "I must act now, there's no time" | "Not so fast. Think first" |
| Invulnerability: "It won't happen to me" | "It could happen to me" |
| Macho: "I'll show you. I can do it" | "Taking chances is foolish" |
| Resignation: "What's the use?" | "Never give up. There is always something I can do" |
Professionalism
- Understanding the values and principles embodied in airmanship.
Self Improvement
- Developing the motivation needed for life-long learning
- Understanding the requirement for self-assessment in flight.
- Developing the will to achieve performance excellence
Discipline in terms of:
- Flight Preparation
- Flight discipline (e.g. vigilance/look-out, maintaining situational awareness, operational and regulatory policy)
- Knowledge and skills maintenance
- Post-flight evaluation
- Self-discipline (managing stress, managing attitudes)
Related OGHFA Articles
- OGHFA Checklist: Elements of Airmanship
- OGHFA Presentation: Airmanship
- OGHFA presentation: Situational Awareness
- Elements of Airmanship - OGHFA Checklist
Further Reading
- "What is Airmanship" - Flight Safety Australia, May-June 2005
- Airmanship Training for Modern Aircrew - NATO/BAE SYSTEMS, 2003.
- Redefining Airmanship. Tony Kern. ISBN 0070342849.
- New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Publications, Vector Safety Magazine: Airmanship — Measuring Up.