Introduction
Flight deck management pertains to the efficient organization and operation of controls, instruments, and systems of an aircraft. The necessary skills include the ability to prioritize tasks, manage automation, and work efficiently in a crew setting or as a single pilot. To develop proper habit patterns, learners should practice these skills from the first training flight.
Attention and Motivation
How does a pilot maintain aircraft control and situation awareness while managing multiple tasks during a flight? The answer lies in effective flight deck management. It’s not just about the physical arrangement of the space but fostering a mindset that prioritizes safety and efficiency.
Objectives
After this lesson, the learner will be able to:
- Arrange and secure essential materials and equipment for flight.
- Brief passengers on emergency procedures and the use of safety belts.
- Prioritize tasks in such a way as to minimize distractions from flying the aircraft.
Tips for Instructors
- Teach learners to prepare for high workload periods during times of low workload.
- Develop the learner’s checklist discipline by introducing realistic distractions in the middle of a checklist.
- Point out fixation and inattention when it occurs.
- Point out nonessential activities when they occur in critical phases of flight.
- Teach the sterile cockpit concept and model such behavior during flight instruction.
Lesson Briefing
Aircraft Specific Training
- Automation management (if applicable):
- How to turn on the autopilot and the various methods for disconnecting it
- Ways to confirm the currently active and armed modes of the autopilot and flight director
- How to control the airplane’s heading and altitude with the autopilot
- How to program the navigation equipment
- How to conduct a passenger briefing with appropriate aircraft information to include:
- How to use the safety belts and shoulder harnesses
- Door and window operation
- Emergency exit location and operation
- Emergency procedures
- Location and use of the available emergency equipment
Risk Management
- Improper use of systems or equipment, to include automation and portable electronic devices
- Flying with unresolved discrepancies or inoperative equipment
- Passenger distractions
Scenario
While on an approach to land at the local airport, you attempt to lower the landing gear, but nothing happens. You elect to go-around and try to solve the problem at a safe altitude. Similar scenarios have resulted in tragic accidents due to the flight crew’s failure to manage the situation properly.
How will you manage the available automation and resources while resolving the gear malfunction?
Case Studies
A Lockheed Tristar descends into the Florida Everglades due to the flight crew’s preoccupation with a faulty landing gear warning light:
- Aircraft: Eastern Air Lines Flight 401
- Location: Miami, FL
- Date: December 29, 1972
- FAA Video: https://youtu.be/ICqPGkto3Yo
A DC-8 runs out of fuel due to the captain’s preoccupation with a landing gear malfunction and his disregard of other crew members’ statements:
- Aircraft: United Airlines Flight 173
- Location: Portland, OR
- Date: December 28, 1978
- News Report: https://youtu.be/vgSSKKe5lw8
A Boeing 757 turns into a mountain after the PIC enters an incorrect waypoint name into the flight management system:
- Aircraft: American Airlines Flight 965
- Location: Cali, Colombia
- Date: December 20, 1995
- Link: FAA Synopsis
Resources
- Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25):
- Chapter 2, Aeronautical Decision-Making
- AC 91.21-1: Use of Portable Electronic Devices Aboard Aircraft
- NTSB Video: Pilot Procedural Compliance
Schedule
- Lesson Briefing (0:15)
- Demonstrations and Practice (0:20)
- Lesson Debriefing (0:10)
Equipment
- Whiteboard, markers, and erasers
- Airplane checklists
- Headsets and flight gear
Lesson Debriefing
This lesson concludes with a collaborative assessment and review of the main points and risk management items.
Additionally, the instructor ensures:
- All of the learner’s questions are resolved.
- The learner is made aware of his or her performance and progress.
Completion Standards
This lesson is complete when the lesson objectives are met and the learner’s knowledge, risk management, and skills are determined to be adequate for the stage of training. Ultimately, the learner must meet or exceed the Airman Certification Standards.
Lesson Content
Flight Deck Organization
A place for everything and everything in its place.
Benjamin Franklin
Before starting the engine, items should be arranged to be secure and accessible. Essential equipment should be within easy reach.
These seemingly small actions can reduce workload and enhance safety. Since everyone has a different way of organizing themselves, the optimal arrangement comes through experimentation.
Best Practices for Flight Deck Organization
- Do not block the flight controls with mounted accessories, cords, or lap organizers (kneeboards).
- Do not place headsets or other items on the dash to prevent scratching the windscreen.
- Do not mount electronics or other devices to the windshield or windows. The pilot must be able to see in all directions.
- Use a flight bag to secure loose items that won’t be needed in flight.
Task Management
Effective task management ensures that essential operations are accomplished without overloading the pilot.
Like any other skill, pilots must learn to:
- Plan, prioritize, and sequence tasks.
- Perform several tasks at once (multitask).
- Deal with distractions and interruptions.
- Overcome problems with fixation and inattention.
Best Practices for Task Management
- Use automation judiciously.
- Prioritize the tasks of aviating, navigating, and communicating.
- Anticipate the workload associated with the next phase of flight.
- Be wary of inoperative equipment. An inoperative autopilot or navigation instrument can vastly increase workload.
Passenger Safety Briefing
References: 14 CFR 91.21, 14 CFR 91.107, 14 CFR 91.319, 14 CFR 91.327, 14 CFR 91.519
The PIC is required to:
- Brief passengers on how to fasten and unfasten their safety belts.
- Notify passengers to fasten their safety belts before taxi, takeoff, and landing.
- For experimental and light-sport aircraft, notify each passenger of the aircraft’s special nature.
- For large and turbine-powered airplanes, comply with 14 CFR 91.519 (passenger briefing).
Elements of a passenger “SAFETY” briefing:
- Seatbelts: How to fasten and unfasten; Required during taxi, takeoff, and landing
- Air: How to operate the environmental controls; The location of vents and airsickness bags; Smoking is prohibited
- Fire Extinguisher: Its location, how to unlatch it from its mount, and how to use it
- Exits, Emergencies, and Equipment: The location and operation of doors and emergency exits; Emergency procedures; The location and use of emergency and survival equipment
- Traffic and Talking: The importance of visual scanning; Sterile cockpit requirements
- Your Questions?: Allow passengers to ask questions
Other items to consider:
- If under IFR, the allowed use of portable electronic devices
- If flying over water, ditching procedures
- PIC authority
Single-Pilot Resource Management
Single-pilot resource management (SRM) is the art and science of managing all the resources (both onboard the aircraft and from outside sources) available to a single pilot (before and during flight) to ensure the successful outcome of the flight.
SRM includes the concepts of:
- Aeronautical decision-making (ADM)
- Controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) awareness
- Situational awareness
- Flight deck management
SRM training can help a pilot accurately assess and manage risk and make timely decisions.
Use of Resources
Pilots must be aware of the resources found both inside and outside the flight deck to make informed decisions.
Internal resources are found in the airplane. They include the avionics, autopilot, checklists, the AFM/POH, and passengers.
External resources available during flight include ATC and flight service stations (FSS). ATC can help decrease pilot workload by providing traffic advisories, radar vectors, and assistance in emergency situations. An FSS can provide updates on weather and airport conditions.