I used to think why it says that effective communication between two engineers is mandatory as far as the aviation operations are concerned. Not only communication between engineers but also communication between pilots - AME, pilots-ATC, Team leader –group members…etc also must be considered when we talk about communication.
Here I am adding one interesting story which I have come across during a sleepless period in my college. It reveals the importance of communication in aviation industry.
Because of the high cost of aviation gasoline, a private pilot once wrote to his aviation administration and asked if he could mix kerosene in his aircraft fuel. He received the following reply:
“Utilization of kerosene involves major uncertainties/probabilities respecting shaft output and metal longevity where application pertains to aeronautical internal combustion power plants.”
The pilot sent the following cable:
“Thanks for the information. Will start using kerosene next week.”
He then received the following urgent letter:
“Regrettably decision involves uncertainties. Kerosene utilization consequences questionable, with respect to metalloferrous components and power production.”
This prompted another cable from the pilot:
“Thanks again. It will sure cut my fuel bill.”
The same day he finally received a clear message:
“DON’T USE KEROSENE.IT COULD KILL THE ENGINE-AND YOU TOO!”
(All AME students might have heard this. DOC9683)
In Penguin Dictionary of Psychology, communication is defined as: -
“The transmission of something from one location to another. The ‘thing’
that is transmitted may be a message, a signal, a meaning, etc. In order
to have communication both the transmitter and the receiver must share
a common code, so that the meaning or information contained in the
message may be interpreted without error”.
In my view, we (AME) are the doctors of aircraft, if we consider the aircraft as a human body which is being controlled by a soul (PILOTS). Because we heal and maintain this body as and when it is required. So it is clear that for the successful operation of an aircraft, pilot has to disclose everything to the respective AME including suspected incidents/sounds/defects. No aircrafts shall be released unless it is properly certified and intimated the same to the pilot-in-command (PIC) by an AME. Sometimes aircrafts are allowed to fly with some instruments inoperative condition (MEL), provided the same must be intimated to the pilots and properly marked in the cockpit. If the engineer fails to communicate these things to the PIC, then………….forget about that aircraft and lives involved in it.
After each and every flight pilot has to give a pilot defect report (PDR) to the AME. AME will rectify the snags accordingly. Actually, Pilots are expected to give a verbal conversation along with PDR for the effective snag rectification. Unfortunately, pilots are so reluctant to do so. I shall give a small interpretation here.
For example: You have been riding bicycle from your childhood onwards. One day one says that right brake is not working properly, so it is not advisable to use this cycle now. Will you agree his words? If I were in this place, I would have reached my destination by this time, ignoring his words. It’s a normal tendency. We are conditioned to act and neglect things in such situations. It might be because of over-confidence, pride of place, and sometimes characters.
But in aviation industry, these behaviours will no longer be accepted. We need to provide high safety to each person and to the society. A single human error can lead into a big disaster. I still remember one article from King Air Magazine named- “Advice to Pilots, Disclose everything to your AME” in which- a doctor examine a patient- picture was included in the cover.
Take the case of pilot-ATC communication. In different places, different kind of English is being used. Pronunciation always becomes a problem. Air traffic controllers (ATC) find difficulties to follow different regions pilot’s pronunciation. Indian registered aircraft’s nationality mark is VT. But during communication, pilots use only Victor Tunga (VT), why because VT can be pronounced in different ways. Using Victor Tunga avoids the barrier of pronunciation to an extent. National Geographic channel telecasted an air crash one day which happened due to the Russian-Indian pronunciation problems (“air crash investigation” 9.00pm).
During a shift hand over in Hangers, engineers are always requested to exchange the work logs with a detailed verbal communication. But most of the efforts can go in vain due to the hastiness of the engineers. In fact, these things are not followed properly.
Some times, to avoid the time lag, aircraft fuelling commence with passengers on board. In such occasions, a two way communication system between ground staff and representative of Airline Company must be maintained so that in case of fuel spillage or any accidents, necessary actions such as evacuation process, can be taken with immediate effect. Lack communication in these operations will increase the problems.
To avoid communication problems, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have developed a special communication system which we are using now globally.
Valuable comments are welcome.
Sreeraj Pathari
sreerajpathari@gmail.com
