situational awareness

Situational AwarenessAakash Bhagat, Kirby Cole, and Susan Read

Definition• “Situational awareness means the pilot is aware of

what is happening around pilot’s aircraft at all times in both the vertical and horizontal plane. This includes the ability to project the near term status and position of the aircraft in relation to the aircraft, terrain, and other potential hazards.”

Overview• Preparation/Planning/Vigilance

Vigilance Stress Fatigue Perception

• Workload Distribution/Distraction Avoidance Automation Philosophy Distraction Avoidance Complacency Avoidance End Deterioration

Preparation/Planning/VigilanceThese behaviors relate to crews anticipating contingencies and the various actions that may be required. Excellent crews are always “ahead of the curve” and generally seem relaxed. They devote appropriate attention to required tasks and respond without undue delay to new developments

Perception• Demonstrating and expressing situational

awareness

• Cockpit and cabin crewmembers are aware of plans

• Including all appropriate crewmembers in the planning process

• Timing programming of the flight management computer

• All crewmembers are aware of initial entries and change entries in the flight management system

Vigilance• Monitoring of all instruments and communications

• Monitoring weather and traffic

• Sharing Relevant information

• Staying “ahead of the curve”

Stress• IMSAFE Checklist

• Avoiding “tunnel vision” caused by stress

• Stress Management

Fatigue• IMSAFE checklist

• Sleep debt

• Chronic fatigue

• Combating fatigue

Workload Distribution & Distraction Avoidance

These behaviors relate to time and workload management. They reflect how well the crew manages to prioritize tasks, share the workload, and avoid being distracted from essential activities.

Distraction Avoidance• Sterile cockpit

• Potential distractions are anticipated

• Taking preventive action

• Prioritizing operational tasks

Complacency Avoidance • Crewmembers speak up

• “What could I be doing right now?”

• Do not settle

Automation Philosophy• Task priorities are clearly communicated

• Reducing or disengaging automated features as appropriate

End Deterioration• Crewmembers speak up when they recognize work

overloads in themselves or in others

• Task distribution

Questions?

Thank you!