Professionalism, a DOT, FAA watchword in aviation and throughout transportation

Professionalism in aviation is a big topic of discussion this week--the NTSB is holding a three-day forum on the topic to look at developing and ensuring pilot and air traffic controller excellence.

FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt and I couldn’t agree more. We know it's a simple equation; professionalism on the flight deck and in the control tower leads to greater safety.

Randy has been talking about professionalism since day one at the FAA.  As a pilot, he has seen firsthand the importance of taking personal responsibility to make sure safety is the top priority in the cockpit.  That means taking pride in doing the job right and raising your hand when the rules aren’t being followed.

But we all remember the news, last October, that a Northwest flight crew overshot their destination--by 150 miles. The control tower transcripts show the captain and first officer returning to their responsibilities after nearly an hour of radio silence.

Northwest Airlines planes, left. Flight path of Northwest Flight 188 is shown, right. Courtesy of AP

The FAA made it clear that the flight crew's lack of professionalism was unacceptable. "You engaged in conduct that put your passengers and your crew in serious jeopardy," FAA regional counsel Eddie Thomas said in a letter to the pilot. And this April, the FAA called on air carrier operators to create and enforce policies that limit distractions in the cockpit and keep pilots focused on transporting passengers safely.

Daniel Morgan, Colgan VP for flight safety and compliance, testified at crash hearing. Photo: Michael Temchine for NY Times

After the tragic crash of Colgan Air 3407 near Buffalo in February, 2009, Randy and I initiated a Call to Action to look at safety issues including pilot training and professionalism. We challenged the unions and the airlines to insert professionalism in their training and development programs. Many have answered this call and have worked on their own to publicize professionalism and work it into their codes of conduct.

Randy often says that we can’t regulate professionalism, and that's true. But, everyday we can talk about and encourage professionalism and high standards from every transportation worker responsible for keeping travelers safe. And that's what this DOT has been doing.

Whether you’re a pilot, a mechanic, an air traffic controller, a bus driver or a train operator, it doesn’t matter. Following the rules, staying focused, and taking pride in your work will help avoid mistakes and keep our entire transportation system as safe as possible.

It’s something we all have to do.

Comments

[jamith]

FAA regulatory requirements by providing quarterly hands-on training to all pilots.

In the same way very employee receives initial hire safety related training and job specific training related to there internal policies and procedures and the aircraft they operate not only to one specific industry but it is necessary for all like you said above a mechanic, an air traffic controller, a bus driver or a train operator etc

[Nathancarriker.blogspot.com]

The following is purely the author's opinion. I do not speak for any company, organization, or other entity:
Professionalism is a garden sowed in our training and then either tended, or neglected, for the remainder of our career. If Professionalism isn't thriving by the time we finish training for the trip on which we'll earn the money to buy that pilot hat, it's not going to make it. Even if lovingly planted by quality training, Professionalism can be choked out by weeds of undervaluation, mistreatment, and disrespect, all of which have been dealt out in copious, increasing amounts for decades now. The weeds are taking over the garden, yet no one who works outside a cockpit seems to have a clue as to what happened, so now the bureaucrats are going to "take a meeting" about it this week, for three days. If they'd listen to some Professional pilots, it wouldn't take three hours.

[Michael E. Bailey]

It is very important to keep airline crews focused on flying the plane and safety. Something also should be done to include private or general aviation pilots as well. The NTSB is investigating several incidents where there was a near collision between a commercial jet and a general aviation plane or helicopter. Runway safety is a critical concern. Preventing pilots from doing things in the cockpit that takes attention away from flying and safety is a great thing for the safety of passengers, crew, and people on the ground. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Lynn McCloud]

Thanks for posting the cover of FAA Safety Briefing. This is the FAA safety magazine targeted to improve general aviation safety by making the community aware of FAA resources, helping readers understand saety and regulatory issues, and encouraging continued training. Here's the link: www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing
Lynn McCloud
Managing Editor
FAA Safety Briefing

[William Carmichael]

Let’s not limit professionalism to the Flight Deck and Control Tower, professionalism needs to be stressed throughout our FAA.