TOC

Standards of Performance and Data Collection

Using the Volant Model

KD Van Drie

Kdvandrie@cs.com

Electra Training Systems

 To begin with…

• 1998 began development of USAirways

AQP program based on the Volant Model
• Goal was to begin the program with an idea
of where we were going!

Systematically identify training needs

 Volant Model©

PF

PNF Flight
Attendants OCC

PF Maintenance
Equipment Handling
A
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PNF C
Human Interaction & Communication
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PNF
Automation
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PF
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PNF Checklists

Policies, Procedures, Flows, Techniques

“Pictures and Words” to facilitate communication

 Task Loading Concept

Simply…

Tasks … task loading

Available Time
 “Potential for Error”

More errors are likely to occur

when heavily task loaded
Simply:
• Green: Errors may occur, but they will be
caught
• Yellow: Errors may occur, but they may
not be caught and may become cumulative
• Red: Errors will occur that are not caught
 Task Loading

Task loading begins with the “job at hand”

For the pilot…
Different Phases of Flight have Different Task Loading
• Pre-departure
• Taxi
• Takeoff
• Climb
• Cruise
• Descent
• Approach
• Landing
 Task Loading

Task Loading is increased by Additive Conditions

– ATC
– ICING WEATHER
– CONVECTIVE WEATHER
– LOW VISIBILITY WEATHER
– AIRCRAFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
– PASSENGER ISSUES
– HOLDING
– AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE LIMITS
– AIRPORT FACTORS
 Crew Factors

Crew Factors can increase potential for error

(Seven dwarf syndrome)

• Sleepy
• Grumpy Fatigue
• Happy Stress
• Bashful Inattention
• Doc... Assertiveness
Complacency
Really…
Number of tasks need to be done
• Job
Number of tasks CAN be done • Additive Conditions
• Crew Factors
• Attitude
• Level of training
• “State of mind”
• Physiology
• Time
How does it work?

• Throughout the flight crews are encouraged to

continually assess additive conditions
 How does it work?

Captain’s Pre-departure considerations…

•Moving to a new house
•Quick Call
•First flight of trip
•East Coast - Short Flights X
•Some weather considerations
•New First Officer
•Pressurization MEL
Self-diagnosis

What is it like to “be in the green”

or “yellow”
or “red” ?
“In the Yellow”: Crew Factors
“In the Red”
Getting it back to the green
Can not eliminate error

NORMAL

CAUTION
DANGER
•Task Loading
•Additive Conditions
•Crew Factors
 Resources to Reduce Risk

The Tools of the Trade

• Policies •Checklist •Automation • Human • Equipment

• Procedures • Do/verify Interaction Handling
• Flows • Read and Do
• Techniques
TASK MANAGEMENT SKILLS (TMS)
 Use the skills…

PF
PF • To reduce task loading
PF • To create redundancy
to stop an error chain
 Volant Model©

PF

PNF Flight
Attendants OCC

PF Maintenance
Equipment Handling
A
T
PNF C
Human Interaction & Communication
PF

PNF
Automation
PF

PF
END
PNF Checklists

Policies, Procedures, Flows, Techniques

 What good is AQP ?

• Not “teach to the test” ?

• Better understanding of training requirements?
• Collect Data?
 Beginning Data Collection

• Gathered the “experts” together

• Discovered commonly used Standards of
Performance were not robust enough
– Looking at a stabilized approach
 Defining new standards

Can the checkairmen

• DEFINE errors
• SEE errors
• DEBRIEF errors
• RECORD errors
• Change pilot behavior
 Problem # 2

Time available for training

How do you transfer all this great information ?

 Techniques

Policies,Procedures, Flows, Techniques

Standards for Techniques

Undocumented Techniques are not evaluated
Except… a technique may NOT
• Interfere with other crew members
• Conflict with a documented Policy, Procedure or Flow.
Automation

Automation

END Checklists

Policies, Procedures, and Flows

• Automation can catch errors; can also create errors

• Automation can increase or decrease task loading
 Levels of Automation
(simplified from ATA and NBAA)

Level 1: Hand flown, raw data

Level 2: Hand flown, flight director
Level 3: Autopilot, Mode Control Panel
Level 4: Autopilot, Flight Management System

The more the predictable the environment… the

higher the level of automation
 Automation

Automation

END Checklists

Policies, Procedures, Flows, Techniques

 Human Interaction and Communication

PNF Flight
Attendan OC
ts C
PF Maintenan A
ce
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PNF C Human Interaction & Communication
PF

PNF
Automation
PF

PF
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PNF Checklists

Policies, Procedures, and Flows

• Interpersonal Communication is one of the best sources

of information
• Must be “pre-programmed” just like the automation.
 Equipment Handling
PF

PNF Flight
Attendan OC

PF ts
Maintenan
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Equipment Handling
A
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PNF C Human Interaction & Communication
PF

PNF
Automation
PF

PF
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PNF Checklists

Policies, Procedures, and Flows

• Equipment handling is the last barrier, and a most

essential skill
– It is the foundation the rest is built on
– Includes the knowledge required to operate equipment
 Pilot’s ABC’s
for error management
PF
PNF Flight
Attenda O
PF nts C
Maintena C A
Aircraft Handling
nce
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PNF C Human Interaction & Communication
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PNF Automation
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PF
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PNF Checklists

Policies, Procedures, and Flows

Assess the potential for Error

Balance the use of Resources to prevent and trap errors
Communicate Risks and Intentions
Volant Model
Pilot’s ABC’s
for error management

Volant Model
Not all errors are equal

• Common Errors
• Consequential Errors
 “Potential for Error”

Green – Yellow – Red

Another look
• Green: Business as usual
• Yellow: Must re prioritize to accomplish
tasks
• Red: Must re prioritize and determine
which tasks are not critical
 Integrated Use of
Volant Model
• Provides a foundation for:
– “Error-Trapping” tool for pilots
– Policy and Procedure design
– Curriculum Development Model
– Debriefing Tool for Check Airmen
– Communication Tool for Pilots
– Crew Observations
– Data Collection & Analyses
 Contact

KD Van Drie

Kdvandrie@cs.com

Electra Training Systems