Premium on Safety - Issue 37, 2020 - 1

PREMIUM ON SAFETY
ISSUE 37 SUMMER 2020

IN THIS ISSUE

Focus Point: In-Flight Diversion 01
Safety Spotlight: More Than a Plan 04
Quiz: Training, Deviations, and Alternates on an Oceanic Scale 05
Best Practices: Aviation Catering in a Pandemic 06
ASI Message: Training for When Things Go Wrong 07
Lessons Learned: Heads Up, Eyes Front! 12

FOCUS POINT

In-Flight Diversion:

Working through your action plan

A MESSAGE FROM USAIG

What Good's an
Aviation Mindset
in a Pandemic?
Your analytical thinking
works everywhere

Marginalized. Sidelined. Out of sync with current
priorities. The current worldwide health crisis stirred
those feelings in a lot of aviation people as it drove
slowdowns or complete pauses in flying for many
operators. On top of everything, the notion the skills,
knowledge, and personal habits cultivated for your
profession are suddenly irrelevant in our new context
lands like a gut punch. On a recent shopping trip, I
had an epiphany that flips that script.
I was standing next to the open car door after
coming out of the store. I paused for the sanitizer,
pulled from where I'd pre-staged it in the driver's
door pocket, to dry on my hands before getting in.
For that 30 seconds, I mentally debriefed my justfinished 'shopping sortie' to review results and note
any obvious mistakes, safety lapses, unexpected
events or lessons to improve my performance next
time. I'd forgotten to use the stylus I'd stuck in my
pocket to avoid the "high touch" buttons on the
credit card reader and stayed longer than I needed
to near a group that was carrying on, oblivious to
any threat to or from themselves. It's no mystery

contd. next page

BY CLAIRE EALDING
It's hours before dawn as we coast-in from over the North Atlantic to
London. From the cockpit of the Bombardier Global Express, the increase
in radio chatter signals the end of the tranquility that is typical on these
oceanic crossings. As we near our destination, an automatic datalink
message appears on the FMS with updated weather; unfortunately, it brings
unwelcome news. The weather at both our destination and alternate airports
has rapidly deteriorated below minimums. What was forecast to be legal
weather minimums mere hours ago is now completely off the table.
Much of the southern half of the British Isles is now sealed off by thick fog,
firmly cementing off the London area with it. So, we begin the challenging
process for executing an unplanned divert.
Fortunately for us, we have the luxury of time on our side. But other
in-flight diversions can present themselves with far less warning. A
passenger falling ill or a pressurization failure are some of the scenarios
that can come with little warning. So how do we arm ourselves for each
and every conceivable scenario?
Diversions can be a complex problem with many moving parts, so
there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, having a mental or physical
checklist on hand can help us navigate through a diversion methodically
and efficiently.
When it comes to diversion planning, I employ my own simple A-B-C-D-E
mnemonic to help.

contd. next page

Premium on Safety - Issue 37, 2020

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