Gliding Safety through Crew Resource Management

Gliding is a thrilling sport, we all know it, it’s a sport that allows pilots to navigate the skies using only the natural forces of Mother Nature. However, like any aviation activity, gliding comes with inherent risks. To mitigate these risks and ensure the safety of pilots, passengers & ground crew, the principles of Crew Resource Management (CRM) can be effectively applied.

CRM originated in the aviation industry and is defined as the effective use of all available resources—human, equipment, and information—combined together to achieve safe and efficient flight operations. While traditionally associated with commercial aviation, CRM principles are equally applicable to gliding, albeit on a smaller scale.

Communication

One of the core principles of CRM is communication. In the context of gliding, effective communication between pilots, crew members, and ground support personnel is paramount. Clear and concise communication ensures that everyone involved in the operation is aware of the current situation, potential hazards, and any changes to the flight path or operations. This helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces the likelihood of errors that could compromise safety. Often in my own professional cockpit, I always speak ahead with what I’m thinking, it allows the others to know what I’m thinking, to allow them to either accept it or provide any right of reply of concerns, or better suggestions for a safer & more efficient operation.

Situational Awareness

Another key aspect of CRM is situational awareness. In gliding, pilots must constantly monitor their surroundings, weather conditions, and aircraft performance to make informed decisions. By maintaining a high level of situational awareness, pilots can anticipate potential risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them. This may involve adjusting the flight path in general to avoid something, changing runways early rather than persisting with the light cross-tailwind operations, communicating with other traffic for efficient separation, or simply speaking up to stop someone from damaging their glider during tow out due to inappropriate fitting of ground handling gear, etc.

Teamwork & Collaboration

CRM also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration. In gliding, pilots often fly in tandem with a co-pilot or rely on ground support personnel to provide assistance during takeoff, landing, and cross-country flight. By working together as a cohesive team, individuals can leverage their collective expertise and experience to address challenges more effectively and ensure the safety of everyone on board or involved.

Learning & Improvement Culture

Furthermore, CRM encourages a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Gliding clubs and organisations should provide comprehensive training programs that cover not only flying techniques but also CRM principles and best practices. Pilots and crew members should regularly participate in simulation exercises and debriefing sessions to review their performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective measures as needed. This is often what separates a professional pilot from a private pilot, the professional pilot will talk to one another about experiences, good or bad, to enhance their knowledge, experience & abilities for future use. We can all learn from each other, no matter the experience levels!

By integrating CRM principles into gliding operations, clubs, and organisations can enhance safety standards and reduce the likelihood of accidents or incidents. Effective communication, situational awareness, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous improvement are all essential components of a robust CRM framework that can help ensure enjoyable and accident-free gliding experiences for all of us around the world.

To put it simply, Crew Resource Management can be used very effectively to enhance safety standards and promote a culture of excellence among pilots and crew members. With CRM as a guiding principle, we as gliding enthusiasts can continue to enjoy the thrill of soaring through the skies while minimising risks and maximising safety.

Photo by Sean Franke

 Adam Woolley was born into the gliding world, being the 3rd generation in his family. Going solo at 15, his thirst for efficiency in soaring flight & quest for a world championship title to his name has never wavered. One big passion is sharing his experiences & joy with other glider pilots all around the world. Adam is an airline pilot in Japan on the B767 & spends his off time chasing summer around the globe. He has now won 7 national Championships & represented Australia at 5 WGC's & 1 EGC.