Here's how you can navigate a crisis situation as a team leader in aviation.

Navigating a crisis as a team leader in aviation requires a calm demeanor, clear communication, and a well-practiced emergency plan. When you're responsible for a crew and passengers, understanding how to effectively manage a situation where every second counts is not just a skill—it's a critical necessity. Whether you're dealing with a mechanical failure, severe weather, or an onboard emergency, the principles of leadership remain the same: assess, decide, act, and communicate. By following these steps, you can ensure the safety of everyone involved and maintain control over the situation.

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1 Stay Calm

In any aviation crisis, your ability to remain calm sets the tone for your team. Panic can spread faster than information, so it's crucial to take deep breaths and present a composed front. Your team looks to you for guidance; showing that you are in control can help to stabilize the situation. Use your training to assess the scenario swiftly and rely on your expertise to make informed decisions. A calm leader fosters an environment where clear thinking and efficiency are paramount, which is vital when time is of the essence.

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Mark Leevers

Operations Duty Officer, Volunteer SAR Pilot
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Staying calm is a learned behavior. If you haven't confronted a situation before, then the stress response will be stronger than in a situation that has been previously encountered. The stress response is also triggered by a perceived outcome. So training for emergency situations and developing a mindset of controlling the perceived outcome will limit the stress response and the tendency for panic.

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2 Assess Fast

The moment a crisis emerges, quickly assess the situation. Gather all necessary information from your instruments, crew, and air traffic control (ATC) to understand the scope of the emergency. Evaluate the severity and potential impact on your aircraft and passengers. Remember, situational awareness is key in aviation; knowing what's happening both inside and outside the cockpit will help you make more effective decisions. Time is critical, so this assessment must be done rapidly to determine the next steps.

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Mark Leevers

Operations Duty Officer, Volunteer SAR Pilot
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This is where knowledge is important. Knowing what you are assessing and understanding it's importance and context. Knowing is one thing, understanding is another.

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3 Make Decisions

Once you've assessed the situation, it's time to make decisions. Prioritize actions based on safety and urgency. In aviation, there's a hierarchy of needs: aviate, navigate, communicate. First, ensure that the aircraft is under control; then determine where you need to go, whether it's continuing on the flight path or diverting for an emergency landing. Lastly, communicate your decisions to your team and ATC. Decisiveness in a leader instills confidence in the team and can be the difference between a managed crisis and a catastrophe.

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4 Communicate Clearly

Clear communication during a crisis is non-negotiable. Use aviation phraseology to convey messages succinctly and avoid misunderstandings. Ensure that every team member understands their role and the actions they need to take. Communication should be two-way; listen to your crew as they may have vital information or insights that can aid in resolving the situation. It's also important to keep passengers informed to the extent necessary to prepare them for any actions they need to take.

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Celina M.

Corporate Flight Attendant | Customer Service Expert in Aviation | Experienced in Service for VVIPs and UHNWIs | AvGeek
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Communication is a top priority in aviation, whether it involves interacting with your team or engaging with customers. Your team should encompass not only the cabin crew and flight crew but also catering, airport personnel, dispatchers, and various other departments. At times, we may become overly focused on resolving issues independently, overlooking the additional resources available in other departments. It is imperative to maintain open and reciprocal communication channels, avoiding assumptions. Double-checking and verifying information is preferable to creating complications arising from miscommunication.

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Celina M.

Corporate Flight Attendant | Customer Service Expert in Aviation | Experienced in Service for VVIPs and UHNWIs | AvGeek
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Communication is a top priority in aviation, whether it involves interacting with your team or engaging with customers. Your team should encompass not only the cabin crew and flight crew but also catering, airport personnel, dispatchers, and various other departments. At times, we may become overly focused on resolving issues independently, overlooking the additional resources available in other departments. It is imperative to maintain open and reciprocal communication channels, avoiding assumptions. Double-checking and verifying information is preferable to creating complications arising from miscommunication.

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5 Execute Plan

With decisions made and communicated, it's time to execute your plan. This is where your training and drills come into play. Each team member should know their responsibilities and perform them with precision. In aviation, checklists are a critical tool to ensure that nothing is overlooked during high-pressure situations. Follow these checklists methodically, and adapt as necessary while keeping safety as the top priority. Your leadership in executing the plan can help ensure a successful outcome.

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6 Review Actions

After navigating through the crisis, review the actions taken by yourself and your team. This step is crucial for continuous improvement and preparing for future emergencies. Discuss what worked well and identify areas for improvement. This debriefing process not only enhances team performance but also reinforces lessons learned. It's an opportunity for growth and can lead to better crisis management strategies moving forward.

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Mark Leevers

Operations Duty Officer, Volunteer SAR Pilot
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One of the best ways you can learn in for safety is read accident and incident reports, from both positive and negative outcomes. This is why safety reporting is so important. Not just from a perspective of what not to do, but to give advise on what to do in emergency situations.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can navigate a crisis situation as a team leader in aviation.

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1 Stay Calm

2 Assess Fast

3 Make Decisions

4 Communicate Clearly

5 Execute Plan

6 Review Actions

7 Here’s what else to consider

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