FUNDAMENTALS OF THE CAP FLYING SAFETY PROGRAM

Introduction

Safety is a priority in everything we do in the Civil Air Patrol.
Whether ground or flying safety, each individual has a responsibility to
ensure they minimize risk to people and assets under their control.
Safety cannot simply be a buzzword and something we only pay lip service
to. It must be ingrained in our culture, our procedures and our everyday
life. This lesson, while concentrating on flight safety, addresses
safety issues that are applicable to both ground and flying safety. Crew
Resource Management, while designed primarily for the flight deck, has
at its core, basic principles that can be practiced in any environment.
Operational Risk Management is essentially a ground based planning
process that minimizes airborne risk, but again, is applicable to
everything we do -- on the ground or in the air. In other words, safety
needs the same commitment whether you're on the ground or slipping the
surly bonds.

# Crew Resource Management -- A Safety Tool

Crew Resource Management (CRM) became one of the two hot safety and
flight training topics of the 90's. As aircraft maintenance has reached
new levels of reliability, aircrew errors have become the predominant
factor in aircraft accidents. The US Air Force estimates that upwards of
80% of all mishaps are the result of human factors/errors. As aviation
has progressed, hardware has become more reliable and the environment
more demanding. These higher demands require better decision making by
pilots, and better management of the available resources. Therefore, the
greatest investment aviators can make to minimize the possibility of an
accident is to maximize the use of all available assets during flying
operations.

But, first, lets review a few basics. What exactly do we mean by CRM? We
mean the efficient and proper utilization of every available resource
within and without the cockpit. Simply put, the effective management of
a pilot's available resources. Why do we stress CRM as a safety tool?
There are five main reasons: 1) Complacency -- flying is dangerous. When
you stop respecting the environment you're in and the inherent risk, you
stop paying attention and start making mistakes. 2) Communication --
flying operations demand not just clear, but effective communication.
You may know what your intentions are, but if you don't communicate them
effectively, your crew or outside agencies, may not. This could lead to
an unsafe situation because people will not be working as a team to
accomplish the mission. 3) Equipment malfunctions -- people tend to
think, "that will never happen to me". But any emergency can, and will,
and when you east expect it. Be prepared and have a plan when it does.
4) "That's not in the manual". Many emergency situations simply are not
in the flight manual. When that happens, a good pilot will seek input
from every available source including other crewmembers, pilots in their
and other aircraft, air traffic control agencies and even phone patches
to the aircraft manufacturer. 5) Adverse weather -- as good as we get at
weather prediction, there is never a 100% certainty that what you see is
what you get. This is the perfect reason to get weather updates enroute
and solicit pilot reports when available. These solutions may sound
simply like good piloting, which is exactly what CRM is.

There are many ways to practice CRM and put your training to use.
"Hangar Flying" sessions are a great way to practice "what if" scenarios
and can be a great way to test your flight decision making and flying
operations knowledge with other pilots. The integration of CRM
principles into flight planning and post mission debriefs is critical to
CRM success. Distribution and discussion of CRM newsletters and "read
files" can be a great stimulant to new CRM techniques and ideas. And,
finally, honestly relating personal experiences to other aviators can be
the greatest learning tool and reinforce the lessons of experience. The
bottom line is CRM must be more than just training, it must be an
inherent part of aircrew discipline.

Now that we've covered what CRM is and its impact on flight safety, lets
look at some technique that can enhance CRM in your cockpit. First,
maintain a consistent set of rules. Understanding FAA regulations,
flight manual procedures and personal minimums is the foundation for
safe aviation. Second, develop and practice good habit patterns. Good
habits will keep you safe and prevent mistakes such as skipping
checklist items when the stresses of an emergency situation start piling
up. Third, use a total cockpit approach. Organize your cockpit before
flight, including folding required maps, setting the radios, opening and
having available all checklists and keeping all emergency tools, like
flashlights, within easy reach. This will prevent confusion and minimize
"fumbling around in the dark" when, and if, they are required. Fourth,
establish a system for managing your fuel. Every airplane has at least
one thing in common: no fuel, no fly. There are numerous cases of pilots
concentrating on minor cockpit malfunctions, forgetting the fuel gauge,
and crashing on empty tanks. Fifth, you can't manage the weather, but
you can manage your flight through it. Get every bit of information you
can from television, weather reports, pilot reports and flight service.
Then use it to make a smart decision, even if it means canceling the
flight. Finally, be prepared for whatever happens. During every phase of
flight, expect the worst possible thing to happen and have a plan in
case it does. These are some suggestions and techniques to enhance CRM
in your cockpit. But nothing substitutes knowing your own personal
strengths and weaknesses, and exercising good leadership to overcome the
deficiencies.

There is one other memory aid that can help you during an emergency
situation. It is the word DECIDE, and each letter stands for a different
act. The D is "detect the need to make a decision". The E, "evaluate
your options, considering the goals of your flight. The C stands for
"choosing the options that best meet your goals'. The I is critical,
"implement that choice". The second D is also for detect, "detect the
changes that result from your decision". Finally, the last E, "evaluate
the result and your need to make further decisions". This moniker is
fairly simple, but in the "heat of battle" simple is what you need and
what may save your life.

Effective CRM can literally make the difference between life and death.
Informed decision making is relatively easy. The more information you
have to work with in the cockpit, the more intelligent (and safe) will
be the choice you make. We've all heard the adage "prior planning
prevents poor performance". This is especially true in aviation.
However, sometimes the unexpected happens and the ability to coordinate
all available resources into an effective solution, the use of CRM, can
be the key to success.

# Operational Risk Management

Operational Risk Management (ORM), is not a new concept put forth by
desk bound theorists as a way to reduce accident statistics. It is
simply a method to formulize the risk assessment that we do everyday. In
other words, it's common sense set into a structured process that
clearly establishes the relationship between the inherent risk and the
associated benefits. The number of high risk situations is infinite, but
some examples are taking off with a known problem, flying in a high
density area, low level flight operations, unfamiliar airfields,
deviations from standard operating procedures, unexpected or hazardous
weather and, the biggest risk factor of all, complacency.

Major Sandy Kriegel of the US Air Force HQ AMC Flight Safety describes
it best when he writes, "Risk Management is a common sense way of
accomplishing the mission with the least possible risk. It's a method of
getting the job done by identifying the areas that present the highest
risk, then taking action to eliminate, reduce, or control that risk.
Risk Management can be extremely flexible and can range from a process
taking only a few moments to a more expanded one lasting several hours
or days. Whenever possible, Risk Management should be fully integrated
into mission planning and execution. It is a tool used to help make
sound, informed decisions and gives you the opportunity to step back and
evaluate risks before you place people and resources in an unsafe
situation".

Operational Risk Management can be depicted as a formalized 6-step
process. First, identify all the hazards and potential sources of danger
you could encounter. Second, assess the risk associated with the hazard
and the effect on the mission. Experience and judgement will play an
important role in determining what the hazards are. For example, night
flying would pose little risk for an aviator who has logged over 1,000
hours at night. However, for an aviator who just received
night/instrument certification, the hazard of flying at night is greatly
increased. Third, analyze risk control measures. Risk can be accepted,
reduced, avoided, distributed, and/or transferred, and each option
should be considered for each hazard. Fourth, make control decisions.
This is the most crucial part of ORM. You must weigh the risk against
the benefit and decide if the mission is warranted. Just who makes this
decision? The decision should be made at the level corresponding to the
degree of risk. In other words, if you're the one flying, you make the
final determination if it is worth the risk. Fifth, implement risk
controls. It does no good to identify the hazards and methods to
minimize risk if you don't implement these measures. Finally, supervise
and review your missions and decisions and those of your subordinates.
This ensures that the appropriate hazards and risks were identified and
any changes implemented. This is also where "lessons learned" are
incorporated into future mission planning.

In the end, ORM cannot be mandated; it must become part of the CAP
culture. To be a permanent part of our culture, it must be embraced in
everything we do. Risk is always present, but it is our responsibility
to reduce the risk as much as possible so as to avoid taking unnecessary
risk. Take active steps to reduce the risk to the least possible and
accept risk where the benefits outweigh the cost. Each of us practices
risk assessment in our daily lives on a "feel" or subconscious level.
With ORM, we are simply formalizing the process to reduce the
possibility that we are accepting a risk that is more than we think it
is, and prevent risks that we are unaware of from becoming serious
consequences. Once this process becomes part of our daily mission
planning, we will maximize our capability and ensure mission success. In
the end, we must ask ourselves: "what is the difference between a known,
evaluated and accepted risk and a gamble?" The answer is information and
the process that takes that information and transforms it into the right
decision -- ORM. Don't become an accident looking for one!

# The Essential Elements of the CAP Flight Safety Program

Safety is a priority in the Civil Air Patrol. Flight safety, while no
more important than ground safety, is perhaps, less forgiving. It is
therefore prudent to establish a dynamic safety program that enforces
safety guidelines and yet encourages people to disclose lessons learned
from personal experience. It must be flexible enough to enable full-time
and part-time aviators to gain the same insights and practice the same
procedures. To that end, there are some basic elements that are critical
to a successful safety program. It is important to remember that safety
responsibilities cannot be delegated, and remain the providence of the
commander. The commander will appoint a safety officer to assist and
advise the commander in the management of the overall accident
prevention program. These responsibilities include:

1\. Planning safety training programs to include guest speakers to
aquaint all personnel with their responsibility for applying safe
practices

2\. Directing accident investigations and preparing safety reports

3\. Performing safety surveys both annually and at other times when
hazards or hazardous operations so warrant.

4\. Conducting staff visits to subordinate units to assist them in
identifying and solving safety problems.

5\. Reviewing and analyzing findings of accident reports to determine
trends and methods for preventing future accidents.

6\. Arranging for publicity of safety programs through such media as
bulletin boards, newspapers, etc.

7\. Establish a safety hazard-reporting program.

8\. Insure unit compliance with CAPR 62-1 and CAPR 62-2

These are the basic essential elements of a CAP flight safety program.
However, no safety program is complete without the utmost dedication of
each member of the CAP team. Safety needs to be a major concern; both
for ourselves and the people we help.

**National, Region and Wing Accident Reporting Procedures and
Requirements**

The overall purpose of mishap reporting and investigation is mishap
prevention. Prompt notification and reporting of all CAP mishaps to the
appropriate officials is mandatory. When serious injury or death is
involved, there will be no formal or informal investigation conducted by
CAP unless directed by NHQ CAP.

Before we begin, we need to clarify some definitions. First, a mishap is
an unplanned or unsought event, or series of events that result in
death, injury, or damage to equipment or property. Bodily injuries are
personal injury mishaps resulting from aircraft or vehicle accidents or
incidents. Bodily injuries sustained in an aircraft should be reported
as part of that mishap. Nontraumatic illnesses that occur as a result of
CAP activities will be reported as bodily injuries. Property damage to
aircraft is classified as "flight" or "ground". For flight
classification, mishaps involve the operation of corporate or
member-furnished aircraft during CAP activities, which takes place
between the time any person boards the aircraft with the intention of
flight, until such time as all persons have disembarked. These mishaps
are classified as accidents or incidents, depending on the severity.
Accidents are defined as an occurrence associated with the operation of
an aircraft which takes place between the time any person boards the
aircraft with the intention of flight and all such persons have
disembarked, and in which any person suffers death or serious injury, or
in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. A fatal injury means
any injury which results in death within 30 days of the accident. An
incident means an occurrence other than an accident associated with the
operation of an aircraft, which could affect the safety of operations.

Mishap reporting procedures are very specific and are spelled out in
CAPR 62-2. We will cover the highlights below, but it is important to
remember that every mishap should be reported because it is the only way
to prevent them from happening again. First, the unit or activity
commander will immediately notify the wing commander and wing safety
officer when any mishap occurs during a CAP activity. Wing commanders or
their designees will immediately notify NHQ CAP of all accidents
involving substantial damage, serious injury, or death. In addition, the
wing will also immediately notify their liaison office, and the region
commander or his/her designee, of all aircraft accidents or incidents,
and all other mishaps involving death and/or serious injury. Lastly,
unit or activity commanders are responsible for completing and
submitting CAPF 78, Mishap Report Form, within 48 hours of the mishap.

Suffice to say, mishap reporting is serious business. Safety is a
commander's program and the commander is responsible for the safe
conduct of all unit operations. Correct documentation and reporting of
mishaps is critical in preventing their reoccurrence and becomes the
foundation for our "lessons learned" program. It is up to each of us to
operate safely at all times, whether on the ground or in the air, and
make accidents a thing of the past.

# Conclusion

Safety is everyone's responsibility. Crew Resource Management and
Operational Risk Management can significantly reduce the number of
flying related accidents. Effective use of all available resources and
thorough pre-flight planning can minimize the chance that the unexpected
will happen. But, the best pilots are always prepared with backup plans
and alternative solutions. Practicing good CRM and ORM techniques and
procedures can ensure your flights are mishap free.