Airbus A320, A330 Departure Briefing | Arrival Briefing, Approach Briefing | Flight crew briefings

Summary

This briefing video highlights the importance of departure and arrival briefings for flight crews, focusing on how Airbus' new policy improves flight safety through enhanced risk management and threat identification. The video emphasizes the necessity of crew collaboration to identify threats, discuss mitigations, and ensure a shared mental model for the flight. Practical examples demonstrate how to conduct briefings effectively, addressing various operational challenges like weather conditions, unfamiliar airports, and complex procedures. The video encourages thinking beyond routine SOPs, focusing on threat management, situational awareness, and proper briefing techniques to ensure safer and more efficient operations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Briefings are essential tools for managing threats and errors that may affect flight safety.
• 😀 The primary purpose of flight crew briefings is to enhance safety and manage risks.
• 😀 A briefing should identify significant differences or deviations from standard operations.
• 😀 Flight crew briefings should complement, not repeat, standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• 😀 The pilot monitoring (PM) should initiate the briefing to ensure both pilots are on the same page.
• 😀 Briefings should always include a discussion of possible threats and the strategies for mitigating them.
• 😀 Identifying non-standard operations or procedures is crucial during the briefing process.
• 😀 The briefing should provide a shared mental model between all flight crew members regarding the operation and threats.
• 😀 A good briefing requires out-of-the-box thinking to identify and prioritize potential threats.
• 😀 The length and detail of a briefing should vary depending on the experience level of the crew and complexity of the flight.
• 😀 Briefings should be tailored to the situation, and a longer briefing may be necessary for complex operations or unfamiliar airports.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of flight crew briefings?

The main purpose of flight crew briefings is to enhance safety and manage risks by identifying potential threats and discussing mitigations with the crew.

What does a good briefing require beyond the routine?

A good briefing requires out-of-the-box thinking to address potential threats and focus on non-routine operations. It should not simply repeat standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Why should the pilot monitoring (PM) start the briefing?

The pilot monitoring should start the briefing to ensure that both pilots have the same expected framework for the flight plan. This ensures alignment on the details and mitigations.

What should be included in the 'plan' section of a briefing?

The 'plan' section should include details like the intended takeoff runway, SID designator, cleared altitude, minimum sector altitude, extra fuel, and any significant operational concerns such as hot spots or non-standard procedures.

What does the 'threat identification' part of the briefing entail?

The 'threat identification' part involves recognizing any potential risks or challenges that may affect the flight, such as weather conditions, airport complexities, or aircraft performance limitations.

How should mitigations be discussed in a briefing?

Mitigations should be discussed as joint strategies between the flight crew. This includes how each threat can be managed and how each pilot will contribute to addressing those threats.

What is the importance of 'miscellaneous' items in a briefing?

The 'miscellaneous' section can include items such as automation levels, cockpit observer roles, and additional information like airport conditions or operational adjustments that may not be covered earlier.

How should the length of a briefing vary?

The length of a briefing should vary based on the complexity of the flight. A more detailed briefing is required for unfamiliar airports or complex operations, while a shorter briefing can be used for routine operations or familiar airports.

What are some considerations for a night flight briefing?

For night flight briefings, considerations should include visibility, fatigue, and the complexity of the flight. The crew should ensure they are mentally prepared for any operational challenges that may arise due to low visibility or weather conditions.

How should a crew approach a flight with a long flight day, as seen in the example of JFK to Boston?

When operating on a long flight day, the crew should be especially aware of fatigue and stay vigilant, especially with high radio traffic and tight operational margins. They should prioritize clear communication and be mentally prepared to handle unexpected situations.