Enhancing U.S. Army Aircrew Coordination Training

摘要

The US Army defines aircrew coordination as a set of principles, attitudes, procedures, and techniques that transforms individuals into an effective crew. The stated objective of Aircrew Coordination Training (ACT) is to provide aircrews the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to increase their mission effectiveness, while decreasing the errors that lead to accidents. ACT and Crew/Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) programs were instituted in the 1980's, first in commercial aviation and later in military aviation, to address adverse mishap rate trends that showed the inability of many aviators to work well together in periods of high stress or workload (Helmreich, Merritt, & Wilhelm, 1999). Minor aircraft malfunctions were resulting in fatal accidents with alarming frequency. While aviators generally displayed excellent knowledge and understanding of aircraft systems, operating procedures, rules and regulations and other technical information, they often displayed a glaring inability to communicate effectively, distribute workload, maintain or regain situational awareness and make sound decisions. Military aviation took note of the success of CRM in the civilian sector and instituted similar training programs (Orlady & Foushee, 1987).