Redefining Airmanship

by Tony Kern

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Here, for the first time, is a systematic model of professional airmanship, for all pockets of the aviation community Redefining Airmanship offers the first concrete model of the abstract ideal of "airmanship," and gives the reader step-by-step guidance for self-appraisal and improvement in the areas of flight proficiency, teamwork, and good judgment in crisis situations. The author, Major Tony Kern, draws on his extensive flight and crew-training experience in the U.S. Air Force, but his model is invaluable for all pilots, whether military, recreational, or commercial. "Kern's work is a breakthrough, and a benchmark."
-- John J. Nance , author of Blind Trust

Genres: Aviation

463 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Dr. Tony Kern is the Founding Partner and CEO of Convergent Performance, LLC, a small business, veteran-owned, think-tank located in Colorado Springs. Convergent Performance was formed in 2003, and is specifically dedicated to reducing human error and improving performance in high risk environments such as aviation, military operations, surgical teams, law enforcement, and firefighting. Tony is one of the world’s leading authorities on human performance in time constrained, error intolerant environments and has lectured on the subject around the globe for nearly two decades.

Dr. Kern has authored seven books on human performance, including the award-winning “Plane of Excellence” trilogy (Redefining Airmanship, Flight Discipline, and Darker Shades of Blue; McGraw Hill 1995, 1997, 1999). Over the past five years, Dr. Kern has broadened his approach beyond aviation. In his latest “Empowered Accountability” series (Blue Threat: Why to Err is Inhuman and Going Pro: The Deliberate Practice of Professionalism; Pygmy Books 2009, 2011) he creates a 21st century guide to extreme professionalism for individuals and organizations “while remaining true to themselves and growing where they are, with the resources at hand.” A prolific writer, Tony is also a featured columnist and Contributing Editor for Skies and Vertical 911 magazines. In addition, Dr. Kern has been interviewed regarding his Human Factors and Pilot Training methodologies by the Fox Business Network, Bloomberg TV, and the Los Angeles Times.

Despite his numerous advanced degrees, Dr. Kern does not consider himself an “academic.” He has deep operational roots in the U.S. Air Force as a Command Pilot and Flight Examiner in the B-1B bomber, as well as diverse senior staff and leadership experience, including service as the Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Human Factors Steering Group. Upon retirement from the Air Force in 2000, Dr. Kern served as the National Aviation Director for the U.S. Forest Service, where he directed the largest non-military government aviation program in the world in support of federal wildland fire suppression. Tony is a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and the U.S. Federal Government Senior Executive Service Development Program.

Dr. Kern has received multiple awards for his research, program management, speaking, writing and leadership. He holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Military History, as well as a Doctorate in Higher Education specializing in human factors training design. Tony enjoys hunting, fishing, sports of all kinds, and writing.

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.