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Undesired Aircraft States

Defined as:

Flight crew induced aircraft speed or position deviations, misapplication of flight controls, incorrect system configurations, associated with a reduction in safety margins.

1.Aircraft handling

2.Ground navigation

3.Incorrect configuration

Counter Measures

All flight crew MUST employ counter measures in order to keep threats, errors and undesired aircraft states from reducing safety margins in flight operations.

Hard Resources

Examples of hard resources are:

Airborne Collision Avoidance Systems (ACAS)

Ground Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS)

Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs)

Checklists

Briefings

Training

Human Resources

Avoid Trap Mitigate (ATM)

Avoid: An attempt to foresee potential problems. Best achieved at times of low workload.

Trap: Deal with threats and hazards as they occur.

Mitigate: Deal with the consequences of an error that has occurred.

Mitigation feels like failure but is, in fact, success - it is the safe option.

Duties of Flight Crew

Flight crew duties and responsibilities of a commercial company normally include the following:

All Flight Crew

•To be conversant and uphold both the laws/regulation of the country and the rules of the company. Ignorance not an acceptable excuse for any contravention.

•Shall obey all lawful commands which the Commander of the aircraft may give for the purpose of securing the safety of the aircraft and of persons or property carried therein, or to the safety, efficiency or regularity of air navigation.

The Commander

•Maintain familiarity with relevant air legislation, practices and procedures together with provisions of the company Operations Manual.

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			•	Be responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft and the safety of its occupants and
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				cargo. This responsibility starts when he/she enters the aircraft with the intention of flying
	Basic			or when he/she first signs the flight documents and ends when the post-flight documents
				are completed and signed.
	Concepts
			•	Subject only to the above, act to the benefit of the company’s commercial advantage.
			• Have the authority to give all commands he/she deems necessary for the purpose of securing
				the safety of the aircraft and the persons or property therein.
			•	Have the authority to disembark any person, or any part of the cargo, which in his/her
				opinion, may represent a potential hazard to the safety of the aircraft or its occupants.
			•	Not allow a person to be carried in the aircraft who appears to be under the influence of
				alcohol or drugs to the extent that the safety of the aircraft or its occupants are likely to be
				endangered.
			• Have the right to refuse transportation of inadmissible passengers, deportees or persons in
				custody, if their carriage poses any risk to the safety of the aircraft or its occupants.
			•	Ensure that all passengers are briefed on the location of emergency exits and the use of
				relevant safety and emergency equipment.
			• Ensure that all operational procedures and checklists are complied with, in accordance with
				the company’s Operations Manual.
			•	Ensure that flight duration or duty times do not exceed the company maximum.
			• Decide whether or not to accept the aircraft with unserviceabilities allowed by the company
				Minimum Equipment List (MEL).
			• Ensure that the aircraft and any required equipment is serviceable.
			• Ensure that the aircraft refuelling is supervised with particular attention to:
				• the correct grade and amount of fuel fuel water checks
				• fire safety precautions
				• checking filler caps are correctly replaced after refuelling
			•	Ensure that the aircraft mass and balance is within the calculated limits for the operating
				conditions.
			•	Confirm that the aircraft’s performance will enable it to safely complete the proposed
				flights.
			•	Not permit any crew member to perform any activity during take-off, initial climb, final
				approach and landing except those duties required for the safe operation of the aircraft.
			•	Ensure that whenever the aircraft is taxiing, taking-off or landing, or whenever he/she
				considers it advisable (e.g. during turbulent conditions), all passengers are properly secured
				in their seats, and all cabin baggage is stowed in the approved stowage.

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	•	Ensure that the required documents and manuals are carried and will remain valid
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		throughout the flight or series of flights.
				ConceptsBasic
	•	Maintain a high standard of discipline, conduct and appearance.
	• Ensure that the preflight inspection has been carried out.
	• Shall not permit the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) to be disabled, switched off or erased during
		flight. Nor will he/she permit data to be erased after flight in the event of an accident or an
		incident subject to mandatory reporting.
	•	Shall not permit a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) to be disabled or switched off during
		flight unless he/she believes that the recorded data, which otherwise would be erased
		automatically, should be preserved for incident or accident investigation. Nor may he/she
		permit recorded data to be manually erased during or after flight in the event of an accident
		or incident subject to mandatory reporting.
	•	Take any action he/she considers necessary, in the event of an emergency that requires an
		immediate decision. In such cases he/she may deviate from rules, operational procedures
		and methods in the interests of safety.
	•	Has the authority to apply greater safety margins, including aerodrome operating minima,
		if deemed necessary.

• Ensure that a continuous listening watch is maintained on the appropriate radio frequencies at all times whenever the flight crew is manning the aircraft for the purpose of commencing and/or conducting a flight and when taxiing.

• Ensure the welfare of the passengers and crew.

The First Officer/Co-pilot

•Is responsible to the Commander to assist in the safe and efficient conduct of the flight. He/ she will report to the Commander any incident that has, or may have, endangered safety.

•In the event of incapacitation of the Commander the First Officer/Co-pilot will assume command.

•Maintain familiarity with relevant air legislation, practices and procedures together with provisions of the company Operations Manual.

•Assist the Commander as requested, concerning operational and administrative duties in relation to the flight.

•Support the Commander in the maintenance of a proper standard of crew discipline, conduct and personal appearance.

•To carry out such duties, as are allocated to him/her by the Commander, concerning the flight in accordance to the company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These may include procedures, limitations and performance of the specific aircraft type.

•Confirm the safe navigation of the aircraft, maintaining a continuous and independent check upon both the geographical position of the aircraft and its safe terrain clearance.

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•To volunteer such advice, information and assistance to the Commander, as may contribute favourably towards the safe and efficient conduct of the flight.

•To support the Commander, by active example, in the development and maintenance of a high standard of professional expertise and morale amongst the crew.

Flight Engineer

Where there is no Flight Engineer, these duties would be carried out by the Commander or First Officer.

•Advise the Commander of aircraft serviceability and any acceptable deferred defects.

•Carry out external, internal engineering checks and complete all necessary documentation.

•Complete all checklists in the manner specified in the Operations Manual.

•Maintain fuel and instrument logs and any other records required.

•Monitor R/T communications and assist in obtaining met reports and conduct company communications as required.

•Operate power plants and systems ensuring limitations are not exceeded and advise the Commander of any malfunction.

•Assist in monitoring all flight indications, especially attitude, altitude/height, speed and heading together with all warning lights and flags.

•Assist in monitoring the navigational displays.

•Maintain a lookout whenever possible.

•Carry out any duties consistent with his/her training and qualifications which may be delegated by the Commander.

Other Members of the Crew

•To assist the Commander in the safe and efficient conduct of the flight and to report to the Commander any incident that has endangered or may endanger safety.

•Shall carry out any lawful instructions of the Commander and to assist him/her concerning operational and administrative duties in relation to the flight.

•To support the Commander in the maintenance of a proper standard of crew discipline, conduct and personal appearance.

•Maintain familiarity with relevant air legislation, practices and procedures together with provisions of the company Operations Manual as are necessary to fulfil his/her function.

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