CRM : Distractions in the Cockpit

Distractions in the Cockpit

In my previous post I spoke about discipline in the Cockpit .Today I want to share something very interesting also concerning the distraction in the Cockpit.

Well but what that mean the word distraction to you as a Pilot? I do some research about the term distraction and I found something interesting. So, distraction could be defined as the act of distracting or the condition of being distracted. Something, especially an amusement that distracts. Extreme mental or emotional disturbance; obsession etc. The act or an instance of distracting or the state of being distracted, something that serves as a diversion or entertainment or an interruption; an obstacle to concentration.

But anyway, there are many more definitions in the dictionary.

But what I want to focus today on my Safety Blog, we as pilots sometimes gets distracted in our cockpit duties numerous times. Years ago NASA – Ames Research Center initiated a study on distractions because Air Carrier Pilots identified that as being the most frequent cause for operational errors.

The data were taken from a lot of pilot reports and broken down in to the following two groups, as NASA said, Non Flight Operations and Flight Operations.

Non Flight Operations consist of paper work such as crew logs, engine logs, block/air times, and public address announcements, passenger’s conflicts, and inappropriate cockpit conversation by the crew.

And Flight Operations, includes Crew Coordination, completing checklist, and of course, actual flying task.

Distractions can occur during any phase of the flight, in both types I mentioned, you as a pilot will see how routine tasks and activities can be quickly mismanaged or forgotten all together.

As I wrote on my other articles we are humans and nobody is perfect, the error will be there always, but in the bottom line is that simple distractions, such as our routine in doing our tasks inside the cockpit, as reading the checklist, communication with ground or in the air with the ATC, PA announcements, and also other tasks during flying. Review these subjects we as pilots can take a perfectly good pair of eyes and hands away from flying the airplane to avoid incidents /accidents.

The lessons learn and practical applications to reduced incidents during our tasks inside the cockpit, regarding distractions, the most important are fly the airplane no matter what, always remains in control of the airplane. Be decisive with the delegation of responsibilities, don’t complete nonessential tasks during critical phases of flight , keep everyone in the circle , following ATC communications , maintain Situational Awareness , isolate a distraction, make sure one distraction doesn't spread into other parts of the operations, don’t allow a minor distraction to turn on an incident or accident , be careful, maintain vigilance at all time during any phase of the flight , if you don’t pay attention , distractions can negatively affect Situational Awareness , decision making and judgment .

Anyway on my personal conclusion, I hope everybody who read this interesting concept about what that mean distraction can be more familiar with the term, as distractions can lead to confusion and chaos in the cockpit if you don’t pay attention, and also you need to have a good concentration all the time when flying.

Remember to many hours gathering in your logbook and experience do not guarantee a distraction in flight, distractions can be any time there in to your cockpit, the important thing here is to recognize the error on time and broke the chain .