Animated debriefing enhances pilots’ understanding and supports learning from all operations

Animated debriefings are transforming the way pilots understand and learn from operations.

From doubts and uncertainty toward contributing to multilayered safety

Source: FSF publication: Learning with Flight Replay Animation (see below)

During my professional journey, I have observed that crucial data pertaining to leadership and air safety occasionally goes unreported by crew members, despite its substantial importance.

The main barrier to reporting is not fear, but rather pilots’ discomfort in sharing incomplete, unclear, or potentially incorrect information. Communication challenges emerge when a crew lacks key elements of understanding.

 Here is a personal example:

A few years ago, during an annual line check, my copilot made a rather sporty approach interception. During this high-workload situation, he made the correct call-out: “G/S * – LOC*” indicating the capture of the final guidance. When I checked my FMA, however, I saw a different indication: “G/S* – HDG“. Immediately, I instructed the copilot to continue the intercept using raw data and rearmed the approach. I was highly doubtful of what I had just seen, as the combination of HDG and G/S modes was technically impossible.

During the debriefing, the instructor, sitting in the jump seat, mentioned that he had noticed an unusual FMA annunciation. However, due to our quick reaction, he couldn’t clearly observe or fully comprehend what had happened. From his perspective, everything appeared fine since the incident had no consequences, and we were properly established.

Our team lacked the necessary understanding to assemble a coherent description of the events. Therefore, we did not submit a report, as we were uncertain about what to explain.

Less than two weeks later, we held an instructor meeting at our home base. At this session, we learned about a potential problem with our hardware/software setup during the presentation of the Airbus long-haul aircraft’s technical pilot. A Manufacturer Bulletin brought this matter to our attention, highlighting the risk.

Specifically, an internal error could result in the loss of LOC during the capture phase, triggering a reversion to HDG mode while keeping G/S engaged—a potentially hazardous combination.

Following this technical explanation, twelve colleagues in the meeting reported having observed similar behavior. The chief pilot was somewhat upset because he didn’t understand why he hadn’t been informed about this issue. The pilots explained that there was no opportunity for analysis or troubleshooting during a high-workload phase of flight close to the ground. After landing, they started questioning themselves, thinking they might have misunderstood or misinterpreted the FMA. They decided not to report the matter due to their lack of clarity and certainty.

Surprisingly, a single pilot filed a report. Since the concurrent use of HDG and G/S is theoretically unfeasible, as per technical manuals, operational engineering determined that this discrepancy could only be attributed to the pilot’s erroneous reading of the FMA. Consequently, no follow-up action was taken regarding the reported incident.

Working with the CEFA AMS replay tool after this occurrence made me realize how valuable a replay app would have been in such a situation. In a genuine, type-specific cockpit with all displayed FMA modes and indications, an animation would have allowed the pilots to review the recorded event sequence, even in slow motion if necessary. The incorrect flight guidance behavior would have been immediately confirmed through the animation.

CEFA AMS Flight Replay

Moreover, the animation would have clarified whether an automatic system failure, crew intervention, or unintentional pilot input triggered the switch in the FMA mode. Showcasing the pilot’s actions with the hand tool would have facilitated their comprehension of the situation, potentially leading to more proactive reporting and improved communication within the organization.

I firmly believe that minimizing crew uncertainty will significantly boost their willingness to provide detailed and relevant reports. To maximize the effectiveness of CEFA AMS animations, they are made available as soon as possible after the flight, before the cognitive reconstruction process begins.

Around the world, there are many incredible sensing devices, called “pilots,” that have exceptional skill at detecting subtleties and critical details. They can warn about potential dangers, but sometimes they require additional tools for better comprehension.

In the previous situation, management would likely have been alerted much earlier. Consequently, the operations department, training teams, and the aircraft manufacturer could have promptly taken appropriate mitigation measures.

A replay module is an effective tool for learning from all operations. By improving information sharing at the individual, crew, and organizational levels, it proves valuable in training and routine line operations.

Discover more about Learning with Flight Replay Animation in this publication from the Flight Safety Foundation:

Available on: https://flightsafety.org/toolkits-resources/learning-from-all-operations/

Enhancing and encouraging reporting is a simple way to learn more from all operations.

Have a look at previous publications dedicated to the training under our blog at https://www.cefa-aviation.com/blog/

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