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CASA media release - Friday 31 October 2008
Pilots to be taught critical thinking skills

A key step is being taken to improve the training being given to new pilots in Australia.

For the first time all pilots will be formally taught critical thinking skills from early in their flying training.

From the middle of next year pilots in training will be tested on their knowledge of human factors and threat and error management.

To prepare the flying training industry and trainee pilots for the new requirements, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued special guidance material on the teaching and assessing of human factors and threat and error management.

This guidance material will make sure new pilots receive practical instruction in developing and improving their non-technical skills. These skills include communication, interpersonal dealings, good judgement and decision-making.

Pilots working in airlines and multi-crew aircraft have been given human factors training for many years. However, the new requirements are the first time their practical application has been formalised for pilots in the early stages of training and for pilots who will be flying alone.

CASA has issued a Civil Aviation Advisory Publication to give flying training organisations and approved testing officers guidance in teaching and assessing these skills.

The initiative follows a recommendation from the International Civil Aviation Organization that these skills should be taught and assessed right from the beginning of a pilot’s career.

CASA chief executive officer, Bruce Byron, says the guidance material is an important new tool for flying instructors and approved testing officers.

“Training in human factors and threat and error management will complement the existing high quality technical training given to all pilots,” Mr Byron says.

“Importantly, this training is another way of reinforcing the practical message that pilot behaviour is a key to safety. Poor pilot behaviour has been a factor in a number of recent accidents and pilots must learn to think clearly and critically about what they are doing and why.

“I urge all flying training organisations and pilots in training to use the guidance material.”

Read the new publication, Teaching and Assessing Single Pilot Human Factors and Threat and Error Management, on the CASA website.

Media contact:
Peter Gibson
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR14008