Redefining Airmanship

by Anthony T. Kern

Here, for the first time, is a systematic model of professional airmanship, for all pockets of the aviation community. With this book as a guide, you too will develop the "right stuff" for today's complex world of flight. Step by step, system by system, the book shows you how to use history's greatest flyers as role models - and follow in their footsteps; define standards and measurements for success; understand specific aspects of airmanship, using case studies and lessons learned; handle peer pressure, lack of time, and stress; reduce errors and aid decision-making; manage risks; evaluate your own performance; illuminate a path for self-improvement; and advance your career. Redefining Airmanship gives you a holistic model of good airmanship and shows you how to use that model to measure and improve your performance. Using the book's Individual Improvement Plan, you can increase your confidence...develop flight discipline...understand your aircraft...know your crew's strengths and weaknesses...be an effective team manager...and achieve your personal best as an airman.

Genres: Aviation

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Asher · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all fly for different reasons, different aircraft types, in different locations and I'm privileged to have flown as a general aviation pilot and a military pilot. But regardless of what background we bring to aviation, we all have the moral responsibility to each other to practice sound airmanship as we share the same sky. This book is an essential read for pilots, perhaps the first of its kind to write about the nebulous subject of airmanship, and Dr Kern has taxonomically atomised it.

If you do not have time for this hefty read, here's my biggest takeaways from the book:

Airmanship is the consistent use of good judgement and well-developed skills to accomplish flight objectives. The pillars of airmanship:

1) Discipline
With sound flight discipline (such as concurrence to the procedures and standard radiotelephony), the pilot develops skills and proficiencies. Do not succumb to the impression of the "Daredevil" aviator. Your ego writes checks that your skills can't cash.

2) Skills
Strive to be good enough to be safe, effective enough to accomplish missions, efficient enough to save time and money, precise enough to seek perfection for personal improvement. None of the other airmanship pillars can overcome the lack of skill. It is your individual responsibility and moral obligation to sort your flying capabilities, without it comes unforgiving consequences.

3) Proficiency
All flying organisations have requirements to help pilots maintain currency. While these requirements are designed to keep pilots from becoming nonproficient, they are not safety guarantees. It is our responsibility to track our proficiency and regularly "chair fly" to ensure that we get what we need before we take-off into the sky.

4) Knowledge (of self, the aircraft, your team, the environment, risk involved, procedures)
Three things considered most useless to a pilot: runway left behind, altitude left above and inert knowledge. What you don't know can kill you.

5) Situational Awareness (SA)
No one maintains perfect SA all the time, but a consistently high state of SA is another mark of a superior airman. SA is directly correlated to an aviator's attention or lack thereof. A pilot who is less prepared and struggling just to fly the approach is far less likely to handle distractions and simultaneously complete the safe approach. Prepare enough (knowledge) to increase your spare capacity to handle unexpected circumstances. But since any of us can become overloaded, we must also be able to recognise the symptoms of lost SA and have the critical actions for recovery "hard-wired" to prevent disaster.

6) Judgement
Judgement is the capstone of airmanship, and it is the ultimate measuring stick of a superior airman. "Superior Airmen use their superior judgement to stay out of situations where they must use their superior skills." The sound execution of effective judgement and decision making are inexorably tied to the individual, and each decision we make is affected by our personal preparation, experience and personality. It is not magic, and it can be taught and learned through disciplined attention and constant self-critique just like any other in-flight skill, it is as good as we want to make it.

We've all witnessed how inattention has lead to devastating consequences, and this book contains interesting case studies, almost as though you're watching a few episodes of Air Crash Investigation: Military Edition. Above all, flying demands preparation and hard work. The first step to superior airmanship starts on the ground, to be critical, thorough and prepared for your flight. I'll leave you with a quote that has guided me a long way.

"The man who is prepared has his battle half fought." - Cervantes, Don Quixote

[Nicholas Kokolakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A valuable look into the utility and the applicability of airmanship and crew resource management. Written in a textbook style and slightly outdated, but overall well written, researched and worth the study.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book early in my flying career. I think it should be mandatory for young pilots. Great primer for airmanship, situational awareness, judgment, and other human factors sprinkled in.

[Selena Garcez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this 28 years ago! Help me become a better airline pilot. Must read for any pilot.

[Owen Pasquali · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you are a pilot this is a must read

[Michael De Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kern does a wonderful job examining good aviation practices. I can't recommend his books enough to pilots.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.

Another Tony Kern book about flight discipline and professionalism. Excellent.

[Nez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

[Shnobz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good perspective for a tricky subject.