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CRM Training

Crew Resource Management (CRM) is the effective use of all available resources — human, hardware, and information — to achieve safe and efficient flight operations. CRM training has been mandatory for airline flight crew since the early 1990s and is codified in ICAO Annex 6 and Doc 9868. Modern CRM has evolved into its 6th generation, incorporating Threat and Error Management (TEM) and Evidence-Based Training (EBT). This guide covers CRM principles, the evolution of CRM training, assessment frameworks, and how to prepare for CRM evaluations.

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Who Needs This

All airline flight crew members (captains, first officers, second officers)
Cabin crew members
Flight instructors and check pilots/examiners
Military pilots transitioning to civilian airline operations
Helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) crews
Corporate flight department crew
Flight dispatchers (CRM awareness)

EASA States

CRM per ORO.FC.115. Mandatory initial and annual recurrent. Assessed during OPC/LPC. EBT framework being adopted.

FAA (United States)

CRM per 14 CFR 121.404 and AC 120-51E. Required for Part 121 and Part 135 operators. AQP programs integrate CRM.

ICAO (Global)

Annex 6 establishes the global CRM standard. ICAO Doc 9995 — Manual of Evidence-Based Training provides guidance.

CASA (Australia)

CRM training required per CASR. Human factors assessment during proficiency checks.

Transport Canada

CRM per CARs Standard 725. Required for all Canadian air operators.

What's Covered

Core CRM Competencies (ICAO/IATA Framework)

1Communication — clear, assertive, and effective information exchange
2Situational Awareness — monitoring, perceiving, and anticipating state of aircraft and environment
3Problem Solving and Decision Making — identifying options, evaluating risks, selecting actions
4Workload Management — prioritizing tasks, managing automation, managing time
5Leadership and Teamwork — coordinating crew actions, delegating, supporting, followership
6Threat and Error Management (TEM) — anticipating threats, detecting errors, managing undesired states
7Resilience and Adaptability — managing surprise, adapting to non-normal situations

Evolution of CRM Generations

11st Gen (1980s) — Cockpit Resource Management: focus on captain authority issues after crew-caused accidents
22nd Gen (1986+) — Crew Resource Management: expanded to full crew, specific skills training
33rd Gen (1990s) — Broadened to include organizational factors, airline culture
44th Gen (1996+) — Integration with LOFT, procedural compliance, situation-specific training
55th Gen (2000s) — Threat and Error Management (TEM) model introduced by UT Austin
66th Gen (2010s+) — Evidence-Based Training (EBT), competency-based assessment, data-driven

Threat and Error Management (TEM) Model

1Threats — external factors that increase operational complexity (weather, traffic, ATC, aircraft malfunction)
2Errors — crew actions or inactions that deviate from organizational expectations or intentions
3Undesired Aircraft States (UAS) — conditions resulting from errors that reduce safety margins
4Countermeasures — crew actions that mitigate threats, trap errors, or recover from UAS
5TEM framework applied in LOFT scenarios and line checks
6LOSA (Line Operations Safety Audit) uses TEM to collect operational data

Standards & Requirements

  • ICAO Annex 6, Part I — CRM training mandatory for commercial air transport crew
  • ICAO Doc 9868 (PANS-TRG) — CRM training standards and syllabi
  • Initial CRM training for all new flight crew joining an operator
  • Recurrent CRM training annually, integrated with simulator checks
  • CRM assessment during proficiency checks and line checks
  • Cabin crew CRM training required (joint CRM sessions encouraged)
  • Operators must have an approved CRM training program

Key ICAO Standards & Documents

  • ICAO Annex 6 Part I — Operation of Aircraft (CRM Training)
  • ICAO Doc 9868 — PANS-TRG (Training Standards)
  • ICAO Doc 9995 — Manual of Evidence-Based Training
  • EASA ORO.FC.115 — Crew Resource Management Training
  • FAA AC 120-51E — Crew Resource Management Training
  • FAA AC 120-109A — Stall Prevention and Recovery Training

How to Prepare

1

Study CRM theory from recognized resources: 'Crew Resource Management' by Kanki, Helmreich & Anca

2

Understand the TEM model thoroughly — threats, errors, undesired aircraft states, countermeasures

3

Practice active communication techniques: brief, assert, challenge, repeat-back

4

Review accident case studies where CRM failures were contributing factors (Tenerife, Colgan 3407, Air France 447)

5

During simulator sessions, actively practice CRM behaviors — callouts, cross-checks, decision-making dialogue

6

Ask for debrief feedback specifically on your CRM performance after every simulator session

7

Study your airline's CRM-specific SOPs and threat libraries

8

For EBT: familiarize yourself with the ICAO competency framework and how each competency is assessed

Key Differences by Region

FAA

CRM training per AC 120-51E. AQP (Advanced Qualification Program) integrates CRM with technical training. LOSA programs encouraged but not mandated.

EASA

ORO.FC.115 mandates initial and annual CRM. CRM assessed in OPC. EBT framework (Doc 9995) being progressively implemented.

ICAO

Sets the global standard via Annex 6 and PANS-TRG. Promotes TEM model and EBT. LOSA methodology developed with ICAO support.

CASA

CRM integrated into operator training programs. Human factors assessment during proficiency checks. SMS integration with CRM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between CRM and TEM?

CRM is the broader discipline of using all available resources effectively. TEM (Threat and Error Management) is a specific framework within modern CRM that provides a structured way to anticipate threats, catch errors, and manage undesired aircraft states.

Can I fail a check ride for poor CRM?

Yes. CRM is assessed during proficiency checks and line checks. Poor situational awareness, failure to communicate effectively, or inability to manage workload can result in a failed check, even if flying skills are adequate.

Is CRM training the same for captains and first officers?

The core CRM content is the same, but emphasis differs. Captains focus on leadership, decision-making, and creating an open authority gradient. First officers focus on assertiveness, monitoring, and effective followership.

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