Whither CRM?—30 Years on: A Narrative Review and Position Paper on the Future of Aviation CRM Training

This review study examines how Crew Resource Management (CRM) has evolved since its introduction in the late 1970s and asks what the next generation of CRM training should look like. By questioning whether current…

The Cognitive Limits of CBTA

This article by Cedric Paillard on aviationtraining.ai explores one of the challenges of modern aviation training. While Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) improves how pilot performance is measured,…

The Art of Debrief: Memory, Emotion, and Learning After Action

This article by Capt. Y. A. Franciosa from Aviomar Flight Academy titled The Art of Debrief, highlights one of the most valuable yet sometimes overlooked aspects of pilot training: the effective debrief.

Psychological Safety - What It Is, What It Isn’t, Why Does It Matter and How To Measure It?

This article by Mark Farrer-Brown looks at psychological safety as the foundation of high-performing teams, enabling people to speak up, share ideas, and learn without fear of embarrassment or punishment. It…

Risk vs risk perception

This excellent article from safety and risk management specialist Jamie Mallinder on LinkedIn examines the difference between objective risk and risk perception, why there is often a gap between the two, and what…

Competency assessment and evaluation for pilots and instructors/evaluators.

The IATA Competency Assessment and Evaluation for Pilots, Instructors and Evaluators guidance material provides a comprehensive, practical framework for how competency-based training (including EBT) should be…

Artificial Intelligence and the future of aviation training

In this article from http://www.competentaviators.com, Alex Pollitt examines a 2023 study into the role and impact of AI in future aviation training.

Intent-based leadership

The leadership philosophy developed by David L. Marquet centres on replacing the traditional leader–follower model with a leader–leader model, in which authority and responsibility are distributed throughout the organisation.

On Leadership: Why shared decision-making rarely equals shared responsibility.

Most decisions feel shared while they are being discussed. Their consequences rarely do. In this post by ex-Belgian Air Force pilot Jo Balcaen the weight of command, responsibility, and accountability is considered…

Complicated vs Complex

Just because something is complicated doesn’t mean it’s complex. This is an important distinction in human factors. This one minute insight was posted by the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors.

Machine learning methods for cognitive load analysis and classification in aviation

This 2026 systematic review by Molloy et al. highlights the growing role of machine-learning approaches in objectively assessing cognitive workload in aviation through physiological and behavioural data such as…

The Big Five Model of Teamwork (B5T)

The seminal paper by Eduardo Salas and colleagues introduced the Big Five Model of Teamwork (B5T) as an integrative framework for understanding the behavioural processes that underpin effective team performance in…

CRM Training: Don’t Overlook Briefings & Crew Coordination.

Mario Pierobon draws lessons from a fatal Hawker 800 crash to highlight why thorough briefings and crew coordination should be a central part of any flight operations’ CRM Training.

Aviation accident investigation analysis methodologies used by 12 government Safety Investigation Authorities

In this 2026 study, Bills, Costello, and Cattani present a rare inside look at how 12 leading government Safety Investigation Authorities (SIAs) actually analyse major aviation accidents.

The study maps the…

Clearing the Confusion About AQP, CBTA, & EBT

This article by instructional development specialist Dr Doug Farrow, explains how Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) has become a broad training framework used across many industries, not just a…

Pilot performance anxiety and stress regulation.

Lori Thomas raises the question of the impact of pilot personality traits on individual stress recognition and self regulation. An area of current research interest in aviation human factors is the inclusion…

Inside Aviation | Is Cabin Crew CRM Training Fit for Purpose?”

In this interview, Helen Heenan discusses whether current Cabin Crew CRM training truly prepares crew for real operational challenges, touching on topics such as training effectiveness, regulatory gaps, and ad…

Flight Crew Competency Based training framework for offshore helicopter operations

The Flight Crew Competency-Based Training (CBT) Framework for Offshore Helicopter Operations outlines a standardized system for developing helicopter pilots based on demonstrated competence rather than minimum…

Research Reveals Startling Gap in S&S Training For Cabin Crew

This piece from Halldale.com explains new research from TNO, Delft, and Cranfield Universities examining both prevalence and impact of Startle &Surprise among cabin crew, and finding that perceived control during…

The Calm Cockpit podcast - mental performance

Mental performance training is quite common in the sports world, but not (yet) in aviation. Some are ahead of the game, as this episode from The Calm Cockpit shows. Tammy Barlette explains insights into performance…

The hidden impact of pilot mental health on flight safety

SOURCE: Pilots who ask why Pilotswhoaskwhy.com examine the question of pilot mental health, including: TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE – CLICK HERE

How to manage fatigue and survive night shifts.

SOURCE: Pilots who ask why In this introduction to the key elements of fatigue management for pilots Pilots who ask why cover: To access the full article – CLICK HERE

What are the most important personality traits and skills for pilots?

SOURCE: Pilots who ask why This article from Pilotwhoaskwhy.com introduces background to the Big Five personality traits The Big 5 Personality Traits derived from psychology research and links them to pilot…

Evidence Based Training in Aviation: Focussing on What Matters

SOURCE: Pilots who ask why This summary from Pilotswhoaskwhy is a good primer for those not familiar with or wanting to refresh on the core concepts of Evidence Based Training (EBT). Jop Dingemans looks at…

A Pilot’s Confession. The Silent Weight of the Pilot Profession - a scenario.

This post on LinkedIn from aviation psychologist and helicopter pilot Carine Lage describes a mental health scenario based on a true account shared with her by a fellow pilot. It raises a debate about stress,…

Sweller's Cognitive Load Theory

The short paper linked here provides an overview of Sweller’s Cognitive Load Theory, which is widely used in instructional design. It is particularly useful for designing instruction that optimizes cognitive load f…

Facilitation workshop ideas and templates

For those CRM Trainers who are designing interactive or scenario-based facilitation sessions, check out this source of inspiration and assistance for planning and conducting team training.

Getting the right amount of stimulation from your simulation.

Does performance in the simulator translate to performance in the aircraft? The article by Alex Pollitt explores how flight simulators are used for pilot training and questions whether increasing fidelity (how c…

The checklist in the rotary wing cockpit: Understanding what, why, and how.

This article examines the role of checklists in helicopter operations and why helicopter flying presents unique challenges for checklist use. It argues that effective checklist use depends on context, training, and…

Small Talk, Big distraction: Taking a look at the sterile cockpit concept through the lens of helicopter operations

The article by Alex Pollitt explores the sterile cockpit rule. Originally a fixed-wing regulation that prohibits non-essential activity and conversation during critical phases of flight, the author examines how it…

The need for speed: How slowness has a value of its own.

This article by Alex Pollitt challenges the common assumption that faster responses always indicate greater skill or competence. It argues that slowness can reduce errors, enhance situational awareness, and improve…

A very normal accident

This article by Alex Pollitt recounts a serious inflight emergency after multiple, interacting failures, including smoke in the cockpit, loss of control inputs, engine overspeed and confusing indications. The…

Does complacency really cause errors?

In this article, Alex Pollitt argues that labelling complacency as a cause of errors in aviation (and human performance generally) is overly simplistic and unhelpful. Instead, the article suggests complacency is a…

Distributed Situation Awareness

Distributed situation awareness: what is it? This article explains how the traditional understanding of situation awareness, originally defined as a cognitive process inside an individual’s mind, has evolved into a…

How do you know when cognitive workload is affecting your performance?

In this article from competent aviators.com Alex Pollitt examines the limits of cognitive performance and how we can mitigate cognitive overload.

Any conscious mental processing we do that focuses our attention…

CRM Training for Experienced Crews

We discuss how CRM training for experienced crews must move beyond reinforcing familiar concepts and instead focus on recalibrating judgement and behaviour in realistic operational contexts. Grounded in adult…

The evolution of human factors in aviation safety.

This brand new (2026) review by Okine and colleagues presents one of the most comprehensive examinations to date of how human factors (HF) research has evolved within aviation safety. What does it tell us about the…

Effects of Acute Stress on Aircrew Performance: a NASA review

An easily readable source of quality information on the effects of stress and its impact on attention, decision making and teamwork, NASA’s technical memorandum Effects of Acute Stress on Aircrew Performance e…

Aeronautical Decision Making & Situational Awareness Training Scenarios for Air Ambulance Helicopter Pilots

Old, but not outdated, these two documents from 1988 give an example of how trainers can develop scenario based, table-top exercises, to facilitate learning in non-technical skills.

The instructor's role in CBTA

In this post from LinkedIn, Aviation Psychologist and Human Factors Specialist Aleksandra Kapela discusses the importance of the instructor in CBTA implementation.

Followership

Followership is a topic that I always found it hard to find training content for. I never really liked the term either, as it gives a feeling of subservience…

This podcast by Ben Hutchinson sheds some light on…