Development of airmanship

Effective development of airmanship among aviators is important if airmanship is considered an essential quality for safe and efficient flight. Ebbage and Spencer (2003) discuss some ways in which the development of airmanship can be encouraged in military pilots, suggesting that it should be an integrated part of overall flight and ground training rather than a by-product of conventional training. Kern also promotes the integration of airmanship within ongoing aircraft handling skills training, and suggests three phases of airmanship training. These are: for the instructor to explain the importance of airmanship and instil motivation for improvement; model and teach airmanship; and to evaluate airmanship actively and aggressively. Kern emphasises the importance of the instructor as a mentor to introduce a sound aviation culture, model appropriate behaviours and enforce standards and expectations. Ebbage and Spencer parallel these three phases, also proposing three basic elements to airmanship training: explanation of the concept and its importance, by discussion of case studies; instruction covering the required knowledge, skills and attitudes; and use of objective assessment with provision of feedback. Kern encourages the use of his model of airmanship as a template for the structuring of pre-flight briefings and post-flight debrief and reflection, an activity that should continue throughout one's flying career, not just take place during initial training. As part of an ongoing study of airmanship in Australian aviation, aviators were asked to participate in an on-line survey that included questions about the development of airmanship. The aim was to identify the airmanship instruction and development experiences of current Australian pilots