Human Factors: FAA's Guidance and Oversight of Pilot Crew Resource Management Training Can Be Improved
Abstract
Airline travel is one of the safest modes of public transportation in the United States. The current level of airline safety has been achieved, in part, because the airline industry and government regulatory agencies have implemented rigorous pilot training and evaluation programs. The major airlines have training programs for pilots that focus on, among other things, maintaining flying skills, qualifying to fly new types of aircraft, and acquiring skills in dealing with emergencies. FAA'S original regulations for the airlines' general training programs-referred to in this report as part 121-spell out the number of hours of training required in particular areas, such as the time spent practicing emergency procedures. Effective for 1996, FAA instituted a requirement for CRM training under part 121 that states the following: 'After March 19, 1998, no certificate holder AIRLINE may use a person as a flight crewmember, and after March 19, 1999, no certificate holder may use a person as a flight attendant or aircraft dispatcher unless that person has completed approved crew resource management or dispatcher resource management initial training, as applicable, with that certificate holder or with another certificate holder.' FAA believes that this training should improve flight crews' performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA332641
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office