Safety Standdown’s “Best of the Best” series highlights Chris Lutat

In our latest installment of Safety Standdown’s “Best of the Best” series, Chris Lutat, co-author of “Automation Airmanship:  Nine Principles for Operating Glass Cockpit Aircraft” (McGraw-Hill Professional) explores, “Rising Above Technology: Performance Standards for 21st Century Airmanship.” Chris first gave this insightful presentation at Safety Standdown 2019 in Fort Worth, Texas. 

In this engaging webcast, Chris discusses developments in aviation safety in relation to safe operations of aircraft with advanced cockpit technology. His talk also focuses on the specific behaviours that high-performing crews adopt to ensure they are doing more than simply maintaining the “minimum standards” of airmanship. Individual crew members identify where their skills lie compared to the highest performers – and know exactly what they can do to close the gap. 

Some key takeaways from the presentation: 

• Raising standards – yours and your company’s – is synonymous with constant improvement. 

• It’s not a temporary engagement – it’s a daily commitment.  

• You can target your efforts directly at the technology environment you work in. 

• You can begin today with the “to do” list provided in this presentation. 

As Chris notes, contemporary flight crews don’t always get to choose the aircraft they fly, or the airspace that they operate in – but they find themselves instead matching their abilities against rapid advances in technology and changing airspace. 

This presentation lays out those challenges and offers a personal program of sound habits and protocols designed to keep the “wetware” in charge of the flight deck – and by doing so – maintain the safest conditions for their passengers and crew. Please enjoy this latest installment of the “Best of the Best” series.