Introduction
Briefings are crucial for every multi-crew flight. When done effectively, they significantly boost flight safety by allowing crews to share vital operational data relevant to the upcoming flight. A well-crafted briefing also fosters leadership and teamwork. However, many operators still rely on outdated briefing methods that don’t fit today’s modern flight decks or our evolving understanding of human cognition.
The Problem
The CFIT crash of an Airbus 300-600 freighter in Birmingham, Alabama, in August 2013 highlighted serious issues with traditional briefings. The NTSB concluded that pilot error caused the crash, particularly the crew’s failure to monitor altitude during an unstable approach. Although the cockpit voice recorder confirmed that a standard operating procedure (SOP) briefing was conducted, it revealed a lack of discussion about specific threats related to the non-precision approach to a poorly lit runway. Addressing these threats might have changed the outcome. In response to these findings, Alaska Airlines reviewed their own briefings and discovered similar shortcomings; their SOPs didn’t adequately cover threats either. Analyzing safety data showed a clear link between briefing deficiencies and errors leading to undesired aircraft states (UAS).
Finding A Better Way
Determined to improve, Alaska Airlines’ safety team set out to enhance their briefing methodology by incorporating current cognitive theories on decision-making. After a year of research, they identified four key objectives: 1. Threat Forward: Start briefings with relevant threats for better retention. 2. Interactive: Encourage dialogue between the Pilot Flying (PF) and Pilot Monitoring (PM) to foster teamwork. 3. Scalable: Tailor briefings to each flight’s unique conditions. 4. Cognitive: Conclude with a recap of critical threats and countermeasures.
A Better Briefing Strategy
Based on these goals, Alaska Airlines revamped their cockpit preparation and briefing format. The process begins with both pilots independently setting up the cockpit, ensuring all pre-departure tasks are complete. This includes reviewing weather, NOTAMs, performance calculations, and more. Once setup is finished, they conduct a Threats-Plan-Considerations (TPC) briefing. The PF starts by asking the PM to identify relevant threats, engaging them actively in safety. The discussion around these threats is crucial, especially for complex or high-risk flights.
After discussing threats, the PF outlines their plan for the flight, which should be concise and adaptable based on the situation. Finally, the briefing wraps up with the “considerations” section, summarizing the discussion and detailing specific PM duties if threats arise.
The Briefing Card
To assist crews with TPC briefings, Alaska Airlines created a quick reference card that summarizes the briefing format, provides a debriefing tool, and lists common threats. Other operators adopting this methodology have developed similar cards.
Summary
Effective briefings are vital for safe flights. Engaging both pilots, identifying threats, and determining action plans can greatly enhance flight safety.
Accidents and Incidents
In a notable incident involving a Boeing 787-9 at London Gatwick in 2018, the crew mistakenly began takeoff from a displaced threshold instead of the full runway length required. This incident underscored the need for thorough briefings, as the runway was secondary and unfamiliar to the crew, highlighting the importance of addressing such risks in pre-flight discussions.
