Crew Resource Management and Human Factors
CRM principles
CRM covers communication, leadership, teamwork, situational awareness, and decision-making. Candidates must understand the difference between a leader and a manager, the value of assertiveness, and the role of briefings and debriefings.
Human factors
Know the threats to performance: fatigue, stress, complacency, and the effects of hypoxia and alcohol. Understand the error chain and how to break it through cross-checking and challenge.
Traps in questions
- Assuming a junior crew member should not challenge a senior; assertiveness is expected.
- Forgetting that situational awareness can degrade silently.
- Confusing CRM with customer service.
- Not recognising fatigue as a safety hazard, not a personal weakness.
Rule of thumb
If something feels wrong, speak up and cross-check. A challenge that prevents an error is always welcome.
Worked example
A question asks what a junior crew member should do when a senior appears to have missed a check. The answer is to raise the concern clearly and respectfully so it can be verified.