Crew Resource Management

Following the crash of United Airlines Flight 173 at Portland, Oregon on December 28, 1978, aviation training has emphasized the need for strong cockpit management. Over the past thirty-five years, much progress has been made due to the dedicated trainers and facilitators of Crew Resource Management. I wish to commend their efforts and professionalism, and likewise, advocate that crew members and key personnel embrace their expertise and contributions to safety. And, in view of problematic cockpits of today, I believe resources and funding for additional research should be paramount in airline training budgets throughout the world.      

I’m most grateful to AirDisaster.com for making the details of the Portland crash available on its anniversary date.  It’s encouraging to reflect on advancements in airline safety, and also to acknowledge the need for improvements.

My novel, Reaching for Polaris, was inspired by actual events.  It addresses the degradation of airline safety when corruption erodes the efficiency of sound cockpit management.