Good aircraft operational decision making evolves from good cockpit situation awareness, command,, and leadership. Communications and cockpit resource management (CRM) are two primary skills used to make good decisions.
The pilot-in-command (PIC) authority is designated by the aircraft operating organization and must not be shared (FAR 135.109). However, good command leadership should be shared to encourage crew participation to focus on “what’s right” and not “who’s right”.
Communication is vital to good CRM. “It takes two to talk”. Listening and advocacy are required to communicate clear, concise, understood, and solution based communication.
All of these elements affect and have effect on our decision making in the cockpit. Command pilots must master the ability to command situationally aware and use good CRM at all times. Good CRM requires the use of good communication and leadership skills.
Good command, leadership, and CRM allows good decision making. Identifying a problem, communicating it, sharing crew knowledge, and making a commitment to act on a decision defines the decision making process.
Avoid cockpit situations like CONFUSION>LOST>PERPLEXED>DISORIENTED OR BELWILDERED!
Make decisions as a result of a process: SITUATION>COMMUNICATION>EVALUATE OPTIONS>DECIDE>ACT>CRM.
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