Recognizing the Loss of Situational Awareness.

As a follow-up to my earlier posts on “situational awareness” (SA), this post focuses on understanding when SA has been lost.

Paul Craig, the author of “Controlling Pilot Error: Situational Awareness”, lists twelve “keys” to recognizing the loss of SA:

1. Measure twice, and cut once.
2. Use both camera lenses.
3. Keep your thoughts in the airplane.
4. When you feel rushed - slow down.
5. Confirm incoming information.
6. Watch out for handoffs.
7. Silence is a trap.
8. Have a troubleshooting plan.
9. Have a plan for distractions.
10. When you are uncomfortable, it is for good reason.
11. Situations don’t always follow the same pattern.
12. Visualize the “perfect flight”.

Let’s talk briefly about each of these.