I bring you a weekly bite-sized chunk of the science behind helicopter human factors and CRM in practice, simplifying the complex and distilling a helicopter related study into a summary of less than 500 words.
TITLE:
The role of shared mental models in team coordination CRM skills of mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviors.
WHAT?
Study examining how shared mental models (SMMs) among U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crews influence two key non-technical skills; mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviors during instrument night takeoff (ITO) manoeuvres (a high-risk flight phase often requiring precise crew coordination) and how these skills are affected by cockpit automation and pilot experience.
Monitoring was defined as “the ability to develop common understandings of the team environment and apply appropriate task strategies to accurately monitor teammate performance”. This refers to actively watching, cross-checking, and assessing what another crew member is doing to detect potential deviations or errors in real time.
Backup behaviours was defined as “the ability to anticipate other team members’ needs through accurate knowledge about their responsibilities. This includes the ability to shift workload among members to achieve balance during high periods of workload or pressure” .This involves stepping in to assist either by direct intervention or taking over tasks.
WHEN?
2014-15
WHERE?
USCG Aviation Training Center (ATC) Alabama, in the MH-65 Operational Flight Trainer.
WHY?
- In 2010, the Coast Guard experienced five major mishaps, prompting a review of safety and CRM training.
- Accident reviews showed that failures in monitoring and backup behaviours were recurring CRM weaknesses.
- Research in aviation and other high-risk domains suggests that strong SMMs improve team coordination.
HOW?
- MH-65 crews conducted both coupled and manual night ITOs in the simulator during recurrent training. Crews answered survey a survey on their perception of SMM for the critical tasks associated with the manoeuvre.
- CRM subject matter experts observed and rated mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviours. These were analysed alongside crew flight experience.
FINDINGS:
- Crews performing coupled ITOs showed significantly lower levels of mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviours compared to manual ITOs.
- Higher shared mental model scores correlated with better observed monitoring and backup behaviours.
- A combination of high SMM, manual flight, and greater experience produced the strongest coordination behaviours.
SO WHAT?
Automation, while enhancing technical control, reduces active crew engagement in monitoring and backup, potentially increasing vulnerability to undetected errors.
CRM training should explicitly address the risk of reduced vigilance in automated modes and reinforce the importance of monitoring even when systems are reliable.
Findings are likely applicable to other rotary-wing and fixed-wing multi-crew operations.
Integrating scenario-based training that tests SMM development, monitoring, and backup skills under varying automation levels could strengthen operational safety in high-risk environments.
REFERENCE:
Martinez, A. R. (2015). The role of shared mental models in team coordination crew resource management skills of mutual performance monitoring and backup behaviors (Publication No. 72) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Southern Mississippi]. The Aquila Digital Community. http://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/72
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