Prioritization and Task Management in Aviation

Undesired aircraft states are situations that compromise the safety of flight operations. To manage these effectively, pilots must prioritize tasks efficiently. This section explains the importance of task prioritization within the Threat and Error Management (TEM) framework in aviation, with an emphasis on maintaining safety and operational effectiveness in undesired states.

Understanding Threat and Error Management (TEM)

Definition and Purpose

• Definition: Threat and Error Management (TEM) is a safety framework designed to proactively manage safety by identifying potential threats and errors, and preventing them from causing adverse situations.
• Objective: Enhance operational safety by systematically avoiding, trapping, or mitigating threats and errors to maintain safety margins.

Importance of Task Prioritization in TEM

Managing Undesired Aircraft States

Task prioritization is critical in managing threats and errors to prevent them from escalating into undesired aircraft states. These states pose significant safety risks if not addressed promptly.

• Critical Role:
  • Prioritization helps manage the severity and impact of threats to ensure critical issues are resolved first.
  • This practice prevents task fixation, helps maintain situational awareness, and manages workload effectively.
• Effective Decision-Making:
  • Prioritization enables pilots to correct undesired states before addressing less critical issues, maintaining safety margins.

Human Factors and Decision-Making

The Role of Human Factors

• Cognitive and Emotional Influences: Understanding how stress, fatigue, and cognitive biases affect pilot performance is vital.
• Training: Emphasizing human factors in pilot training improves decision-making under pressure.

Case Studies on Task Prioritization Errors

Notable Incidents and Lessons Learned

• B757-223, Near Cali, Colombia, 1995: A terrain collision resulting from task prioritization errors highlights the importance of managing tasks and verifying inputs to the Flight Management System (FMS) UKFSC Case Studies.
• B767-300ER, Manchester, England, 2008: Tailstrike due to incorrect take-off weight data entry, stressing the need for cross-checking and managing calculations under pressure.

These incidents underscore the importance of systematic task management training and robust procedural checks.

Best Practices for Task Prioritization

Key Strategies

1. Situational Awareness:
   • Continuous Monitoring: Remain vigilant to anticipate and address potential threats.
2. Decision-Making:
   • Swift Assessment: Quickly evaluate situations to prioritize critical tasks and ensure safety.
3. Workload Management:
   • Principle Application: Use principles like “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate” to avoid overload.
4. Stress Management:
   • Identify stress indicators and employ strategies to mitigate their impact on decision-making.
5. Systematic Approaches:
   • Apply the TEM model for structured management of threats, errors, and undesired states.

Training and Development

Training Strategies

• Scenario-Based Training: Use simulations to practice decision-making in realistic situations CASA Training.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Regular feedback on prioritization practices enhances skill development.

Conclusion

Task prioritization is a pivotal element of Threat and Error Management in aviation. By focusing on effective strategies such as maintaining situational awareness, swift decision-making, and proper workload management, pilots can effectively manage undesired aircraft states. Implementing systematic procedures and dedicated training programs can enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency.

Sources

1. Resource booklet 8 Threat and error management - Civil Aviation Safety Authority
2. Flight Crew Computer Errors Case Studies - UKFSC
3. Threat and Error Management (TEM) - SKYbrary