Revival Issue 2008
| Flight Safety – A State of Mind |
Leading Articles |
It ranks at the top of the priority list in the Airline Business. We are talking about safety here. From certifications to training and customer care (advertisements) to the airline’s reputation, safety has been and always will be paramount. It is never ignored.
So, why the need to write yet another article on flight safety. The idea is to get a different perspective.
We all follow the books and we all abide by circulars. And that’s the way it should be. That makes the airline safe. The question to be asked here is, if we are safe as individual crewmembers.
A simple exercise will probably give a reality check. Let’s assume, if there were no CVRs or DFDRs; how much would our techniques and actions change. It is not to bring any ghosts out, but to enhance our already commendable standards.
When I say, “Flight Safety – A State of Mind”- it means, we are already proficient with the books and SOPs. Lets take a step further and make safety an inherent part of our thought process.
“The contents of this manual are not meant to replace good judgment and logic.” This is an excerpt from various manuals. This statement is worth an analysis. It may be viewed as a disclaimer but our actions are not preceded or covered by any. Having said that, it also signifies the fact that our logic and judgment is relied upon totally and without any doubt.
Historically, when there have been Incidents/Accidents due to pilotage errors, they might have followed procedures but they were not performed with the right attitude.
For eg. If a checklist is not read in the exact way it’s meant to be, the purpose of it is defeated and it could result in catastrophe.
Another neglected aspect of Flight Safety is CRM. It has not been given its due importance. The higher the gradient, the more constricted is the communication flow. And all departments even on the ground are very much a part of each flight.
This is the attitude; this is the state of mind. Preaching does not take one anywhere, actions do. And being proactive and not precautious is what it takes.
Wishing all of you, Happy and Safe Landings.
P.S – The bottle to throttle limits is on polls :)
Leading Articles
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Jet Airways - Ground Staff Tail Strikes How to avoid them? |