How can you use crew resource management to prevent bird strikes?

1 What is CRM?

CRM is a concept that originated in the 1970s, after several accidents were attributed to human error and poor teamwork among pilots. CRM aims to improve the performance and safety of flight operations by fostering a culture of mutual trust, respect, and feedback among crew members. CRM covers various aspects of crew interaction, such as leadership, situation awareness, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and stress management. CRM also involves training, assessment, and feedback mechanisms to ensure that crew members have the necessary skills and attitudes to work effectively as a team.

2 Why is CRM important for bird strike prevention?

Bird strikes are unpredictable and complex events that require quick and accurate responses from crew members. In such cases, Crew Resource Management (CRM) can help crew members cope with the stress and uncertainty by enhancing their situation awareness, communication, and decision-making. For instance, CRM can enable crew members to identify and report bird activity near the airport or along the flight path, share relevant information about the bird threat and the aircraft condition, coordinate actions to avoid or minimize the impact of bird strikes, seek and provide assistance and support to other crew members during and after the event, as well as learn from the experience and improve their performance for future situations.

3 How can you implement CRM in your airport?

CRM is not a one-time training or a fixed set of rules; it is an ongoing process that requires commitment, involvement, and feedback from all levels of the organization. As an airport manager, you can implement CRM in your airport by establishing a clear vision and policy that aligns with your goals and values. Provide regular and consistent CRM training and education for all crew members, creating a positive climate for communication and feedback. Reward crew members for reporting and sharing their experiences from bird strike incidents, while monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of CRM on your airport's performance and safety.

5 What are some CRM challenges and limitations for bird strike prevention?

CRM is not a foolproof solution to bird strikes, and there are several challenges and limitations you need to be aware of. For instance, CRM requires a high level of trust and cooperation among crew members, which can be difficult to achieve in a diverse and dynamic environment. Furthermore, it can be influenced by various human factors, such as personality, culture, fatigue, stress, and emotions. Additionally, external factors, such as organizational culture, management support, resources, and regulations can enable or constrain the implementation and practice of CRM. Finally, complacency, overconfidence, or resistance can occur if crew members do not recognize the benefits or relevance of CRM for their work.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?