Aircraft mishaps can often be traced back to three deadly Ds—Deviations, Distractions, Disruptions. Combatting these deadly Ds requires a systematic approach with clear standards of performance.

James Clear said, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” (Atomic Habits, page 26) Perhaps instead of seeking perfection, we should seek to create a system that facilitates consistency of performance. RRM provides the framework for building a successful system, and standardization is the cornerstone of that framework. standardization.

Standardization (conforming all tasks and decision making to a commonly understood, and promoted, benchmark) can be applied at all levels of an operation. For example, a pilot may always choose to place the flight bag into the aircraft the same way each time, making it easy to find items easily. Crews may be asked to communicate in specific language at specific times (callouts). Language between work groups may be standardized to eliminate confusion (communication between the pushback driver and the flight deck). Flight Attendants may be required to secure aircraft cabin doors with prescribed steps each time to avoid accidentally deploying an escape slide. Dispatchers may be required to upload extra fuel when conditions warrant. Standards can dictate everything from how fly the aircraft, to what time we show up for work, and even how we dress.

Standardization also creates consistency in performance, and allows us to successfully perform complex tasks coordinated across multiple work groups over and over again. Standardization is the hallmark of a successful operation because it provides a stable operating environment—the system our performance will fall to.

Deviations

The shortest distance between two points may be a straight line, but keeping that straight course requires constant vigilance and correction. Deviations from the plan constantly threaten the desired result. Just like the aircraft itself requires constant flight control inputs to keep it on course, speed, and altitude, personal and operational performance need to be monitored and corrected. A continuous ABCD process keeps personal and operational performance on target. This process most often breaks down when we stop assessing and reassessing our performance until the deviation is significant or consequential. Deviations will always threaten our performance, but the ABCDprocess traps and corrects them before they become costly, or deadly.

Distractions

Distractions come in a variety of forms ranging from casual conversation in flight to an interruption by a passenger during the preflight, but no matter how innocuous or innocent the distraction, the result can be significant. In a review of aircraft accidents, researchers “…concluded that nearly half of these accidents involved lapses of attention associated with interruptions, distractions, or preoccupation with one task to the exclusion of another task.” (ASRS Directline, Issue #10, December 1998, viewed November 26, 2022) Distractions can be deadly because we because we often don’t recognize their impact when the occur.

The Resource Blocks are effective tools for minimizing the impact of distractions. Policies that restrict conversation during high-workload phases of flight can reduce distractions. Proper checklist execution can help us trap any errors that occurred during our preflight preparation because of distractions. Automation can reduce workload and allow us to manage distractions. Even certain Techniques can help us stay on task when distractions pop up. Distractions are commonplace, but we have the resources to manage them and mitigate their impact.

Disruptions

Disruptions come in many forms—mechanical failure, significant weather, crew member illness, or ATC delays. Disruptions differ from distractions in our ability to recognize them and the magnitude of their impact. It’s easy to recognize that a catastrophic engine failure or a thunderstorm in our flight path will increase our risk and drive us into the Yellow or Red.

Targeted training can help us develop the skills we need to manage disruptions. Through modern simulation tools, we can develop the skills for handling a variety of mechanical failures. We can learn to combine the ABCD process with the Resource Blocks in real time and develop the skills to manage disruptions that could prove consequential. This training can replace and enhance real-life experience and prepare us for the disruptions that will certainly occur.

Staying in the Green is a worthy goal, but in reality, it’s an impossible task. Inevitably we will find ourselves in the Yellow or Red from time to time because of deviations, distractions, or disruptions. However, if we have created a standardized environment, a resilient system, we will fall to the level of that system and be able to return to the Green without consequential error.

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