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 .
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