Learning beyond ‘hands and feet’ in offshore helicopter operations: integrating the individual with the social in CRM and SA

Abstract

This article makes situated learning theories central to an analysis of offshore helicopter in-flight emergency response, where rule following is mandatory for safety reasons. We examine the ways in which individual learning is connected to situated learning, particularly as relates to multiple forms of knowledge and directive documentation such as standard operating procedures and emergency checklists. The analysis connects to sociotechnical skills, contextual factors, and organizational culture; details five generations of crew resource management (CRM) training, positioning this research within the fifth generation and in relation to situation awareness (SA). It describes and provides guidance on how training, which is focused on error recognition, management, and mitigation, as well as communication, understanding, and innovation, can improve CRM performance. Finally, we make recommendations for future research based on our analysis for combining CRM and SA in ways that enable the sharing of tacit knowledge to increase pilots’ understanding of their work through legitimate peripheral participation.

Keywords:

• Crew resource management
• helicopter pilots
• learning theories
• situated learning
• situation awareness
• standard operating procedures

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Partial funding for this work was provided by CAE Inc. through a grant from Research and Development Corporation and HMDC.

Notes on contributors

Michael John Taber

With an extensive background in sea survival and helicopter underwater egress training, Dr. Michael Taber, Vice-President of N2M Consulting, Inc., has completed applied industry-based human factors survivability research for over 15 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a Master of Science in Kinesiology, and a Doctoral degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Psychology, Human Performance, Industrial Engineering). He has also completed two Post Doctoral Fellowships related to cognitive performance in long-term cold exposure and optimal training program design for compressed air emergency breathing systems used during underwater egress. Dr. Taber has published more than 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, 6 book chapters, presented at over 30 national and international conferences, completed more than 20 technical reports for industry, and published an edited book on offshore helicopter transportation safety.

Nancy Taber

Dr. Nancy Taber is the President of N2M Consulting, Inc. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Adult Education, and a PhD in Education (Adult Education). She has over 100 publications/presentations that focus on the sociocultural implications of public pedagogies, lifelong learning, and adult education in daily life, popular culture, military organizations, emergency response, and post-secondary institutions. She is a retired Canadian military member who worked as a Sea King helicopter air navigator and is currently a university professor.