Facilitating LOFT Debriefings 1 Running head: FACILITATING LOFT DEBRIEFINGS Facilitating LOFT Debriefings: Instructor Techniques and Crew Participation

This study analyzes techniques instructor pilots (IPs) use to facilitate crew analysis and evaluation of LOFT performance. We analyzed IP facilitation and crew participation for 36 debriefing sessions conducted at five U.S. airlines. For this analysis we developed a rating instrument called the Debriefing Assessment Battery (DAB) and demonstrated that it can be used reliably. IP facilitation skill varied dramatically, suggesting a need for concrete hands-on training in facilitation techniques. All measures of crew participation correlated significantly with IP effectiveness in facilitation. Crews responded to IP guidance but did not lead their own debriefings. We suggest ways to improve debriefing effectiveness. Facilitating LOFT Debriefings 3 Facilitating LOFT Debriefings: Instructor Techniques and Crew Participation Line-Oriented Flight Training (LOFT) provides aircrews the opportunity to practice Crew Resource Management (CRM) techniques in realistic and challenging simulated flight situations. How much crews learn in LOFT and take back to the line depends in part on the effectiveness of the debriefing that follows the LOFT (Helmreich & Foushee, 1993). The simulation itself is a busy, intense experience; thoughtful discussion of the experience helps crews sort out and interpret what happened and why. The FAA Advisory Circular on Line Oriented Simulation (1990) states that instructor pilots (IPs) should lead debriefings in a way that encourages crew members to analyze their LOFT performance for themselves. Rather than lecture to the crew on what they did right and wrong, the IP should facilitate self-analysis and self-critique by the crew (Butler, 1993; Hawkins, 1987; Klair, 1997; Smith, 1994). The adult-learning literature suggests that this crew-centered approach provides deeper learning and better retention (Duvall & Wicklund, 1972: Gow & Kember, 1993; Jones, 1982; see also Dismukes, Jobe, & McDonnell, 1997, and references therein). Crew-centered debriefings may also help crews develop the habit and skill of analyzing their own CRM performance on the line and conducting their own crew debriefings following line operations (Butler, 1993). Although the concept of facilitated debriefings is widely espoused in the CRM literature, little empirical research has examined what actually happens in debriefings. This study addressed five major questions: 1) To what extent do IPs attempt to facilitate crew participation and self-analysis in LOFT debriefings? 2) What techniques do IPs use to facilitate, and how effective are these techniques? 3) How much variation occurs among IPs and among airlines in the conduct of debriefings? 4) What is the character of crew participation, especially in terms of analyzing and evaluating their own performance? 5) Is facilitation a viable approach to encouraging crew participation and self-analysis? Facilitating LOFT Debriefings 4