Crew Resource Management Training: Is this training needed in basic pilot training?

This paper focuses on Crew Resource Management (hereafter CRM) training. CRM evolved in an attempt to address safety issues arising from increasing accidents occurring through human-technology interactions. CRM training is about creating awareness of appropriate behaviour and teaching attitudes to ensure the safety of a flight. Traditionally this training has been developed for the attention of experienced pilots, those who usually have over one thousand flight hours, and who work in a crew environment. Currently, teaching the attitudes, skills, and behaviors affecting safety to general aviation pilots is not perceived as a necessity. Owing to the fact that many people who learn to fly continue flying only as a general aviation pilots, CRM training is not perceived as a necessary component within basic flight training. Is there a need to redefine the use of CRM training? In an attempt to answer this question the focus of this paper became to establish the perceptions of instructors regarding CRM as a concept which should be taught to all pilots regardless of their intentions or aspirations. To answer this question the research surveyed flight instructors to determine their perceptions regarding the applicability of CRM to basic training. The research questioned whether the experience, education, age or gender of instructors may have shaped their perceptions towards CRM. A literature review outlines the development of CRM, its role in aviation, and the objectives of the Federal Aviation Administration in respect to CRM. The theoretical framework identifies the basic educational philosophy of flight training to determine if there is an appropriate stage to incorporate CRM. A discussion of the experiential learning cycle and organisation behaviour change theories identifies concepts necessary to build knowledge, challenge attitudes and develop skills