Training Considerations for Expert Pilot Decision Making

Abstract

Extensive research since 1977 by the Federal Aviation Administration determined that the predominant underlying cause of "pilot error" accidents involved decisional problems or cognitive information processing. To attack these problems, Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) training materials were developed and tested for ten years. Following this development, twelve training manuals were published covering the spectrum from student/private pilots, instrument pilots and commercial airline crews. The publication and use of these manuals has had a dramatic effect on the reduction of human performance error related accidents. These successes are documented for civil and military operations both in the U. S. and worldwide. However, shortcomings have been observed in the use of the ADM training for recurrency and in their relevance for more experienced pilots. This research identifies the differences between expert and novice decision makers from a cognitive information processing perspective and correlates the development of expert pilot cognitive processes with training and experience. This introductory material should provide an understanding of how to formulate expert pilot decision making training innovations and how to continue the record of improved safety through ADM training.